I will try a few more options over the weekend to see if I can configure a way that is less linear but doesn't come out too far into walking area. Although I'm really not sure how that will be possible with how big these pots are. Any other thoughts in the meantime?

They are a great combo, size and color. I also like the grouping (bluenan's idea) but, if you feel that comes in too far, use your original arrangement but move the outer two (the two smallest) further out (along with the curves of the patio) rather than the straight line.

When trying placements look at your above photos and where the large pot is in your very first photo (top left). Keep that large pot in that spot, but pull it out just a wee bit from the garden edge (I'd guess about 9-12"). Then take the medium pot and place it off-centered, in front of the large one, on the house side of the patio. It should be next to the garden bed. Put the small pot on the other side of the medium pot, in front of the largest pot. That should give you enough walking space and your large pot looks like it will be in line with the blue pot. I really wish I had photo editing software because I think I'm terrible with explaining what I mean.

I tried another grouping for the pots, trying to follow Lottlemonkeys idea - what do you think? Definitely like better than linear, but I am still not sure if they come out too far. I really don't want to impede traffic or space when having people over. Thoughts? I'm hoping to go tomorrow to buy plantings for the pots, so I need to get his figured out! Do the pots need to be a certain day stance from each other? Are these too close?

Also you should note that in these pics the table is extended, which is why all the dining chairs are at the table. It will give an idea of space needed when having a large group over. Also - the magnolia flowers are starting to bloom on my tree :-). My new Adirondack chairs will arrive Friday.

I really like that and I'm not just saying it because I suggested it. ;) I don't think it comes out to far, even with the chair pulled out there will be enough space. My husband is sitting here and I asked him, he's also in agreement, "easily enough space". If you think the pots feel a little close try moving the medium sized one closer to the edge of the garden.

That table looks amazing extended in that space, perfect fit.

I like it too - just as you have it now!

Looks so much better and that's plenty of walking room.

It looks nice. You have enough space to walk around it

Thanks all! planning on going to buy my flowers today - will let you know what I end up with!!

Woohoo! Got my last 3 pots and I think it looks awesome! Let me know what you think! I may post more pics in additional posts cause 4 isn't enough! I'm so happy with how it looks!

I'm sitting in my backyard smelling the magnolia tree and all my flowers and am happy! Thank to all for your advice and help - it really helped give me the confidence to make these very expensive decisions!

On Friday my new teak Adirondack chairs will be delivered and I will be done working on the patio (for now).

Those pots look FABULOUS! It looks like you've been creating flower arrangements all of your life : ) There's not much in life that makes me happier than sitting in my yard looking at all of the beautiful colors of nature. Great job!

Thanks @TGB1- I think so too :-). I've attached a few more pics - including a panorama (which I don't know if it will work).

For all pics please also see my last post :-).

Looks great! I love the flower combinations as well

Beautiful, enjoy!

Looks just fantastic!!!!!!!!!!

Great job! Well worth all your effort.

Thanks all! My teak Adirondacks arrived and I love them :-). So which side table works best? I know what's the most practical but am wondering what you think looks the best.

Looks wonderful! I like the teak or white table but not the patterned one.

Love the white one with it. Last pic is the way to go with blue/white side table with white chairs and white side table with white chairs.

either white or teak works

I think the teak one prob makes the most sense.

Thanks all - I'll probably switch the white and teak out depending on situation. Teak is more practical for a party as the table is bigger. Here's a few more angles:-)

It should be a great summer with your pretty new outdoor space! Enjoy!

It looks great. Love all the flowers

I love how my new pots are growing in :-). Thanks again for all the help! In the last 2 photos does anyone know what kind of flowers they are ( pink spiky looking & light purple)?

Those are Cleome

Thanks Printesa! Very helpful. Does anyone have an idea what either of these flowers are (not the verbena).

The pink one looks like a Penta starcluster. The purple one I can't remember the name...I'll try to find it online. I've seen in the nursery many times

Thanks! It does look like Penta! I just figured out that the purple flower is a lobelia :-).

yes, lobelia:) I had it before, but with so many plants I can't remember all of them:) Your pots look great btw

Hi again - i'm hoping some of
you have experience with dahlias and can give me some advice. The centerpiece
of my largest pot are beautiful dinner plate Dahlias. The problem is that the
stems keep collapsing and seem very weak. a few of the flowers have stayed
upright long enough for them to get very large before the stems collapse, but
more and more frequently now the stems are collapsing with smaller or hardly
any bloom on the bud and the stems feel rubbery. what do i need to do? the
plants themselves are staked and i've even tied them further to the stake as
they've grown. should i be cutting some of the stems back to reduce the number, use different fertilizer, etc? i have been
fertilizing about once every 2 weeks or so with the Miracle Grow Bloom Booster
that was recommended to me. Is this the right fertilizer to keep the dahlias
strong and blooming? is 10-52-10 (i've read that the fertilizer needs to be
very low in nitrogen - is this one too high)?

We have had a few heavy thunderstorms of late - don't know if the heavy rain or wind could make this worse. FYI - first pic was taken several days before the other 3 (which were just taken this morning).

anyone?? attached are a few more pics of the dahlia stems so you can see the color and how they are limp with only buds. it has rained quite heavily lately - could that be why? should i cut these stems off or leave them? (these aren't broken just limp). change fertilizer to something that will help strengthen the stems? if so what?

Rain can do that..they are heavy and with the amount of water we've been getting, they become even heavier. Apparently they need more support..Also, someone was suggesting fertilizer with the last number higher to help with the stems..Here is a link to discussion http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1383846/dahlia-flowers-flopping-over

Hi,
I have been growing dahlias for about 30 years now, but I am not an expert. But you would get better results next year if you put them in the ground and stake them well. You could trim them back to make a bushier plant. There is still plenty of time left in the summer to get many more blooms. Don't be afraid to trim them back quite a bit. I use osmocote and miracle gro once a week. They need lots of water and sun. Good luck - they are beautiful!

Hi again - I'm back with more questions on the planted and potted flowers. I'm so new to this and learning as I go. Most everything is doing great but I have a few things I'm worried about and need guidance.

First - the pots are growing like crazy. I love how they change everyday based on what new has grown in or died. My concern is with one of the pots that have Cleome as the main component. The cleome in this pot has gotten huge and feels a bit unruly (alongside the African mallow). Also the other things in this pot aren't doing nearly as well as in the other pots - supertunias, angelonia. The vinca & osteopernum have disappeared all together. We had a few really hot days last week & they seemed really dried out and some of the leaves were yellow. they seem to be back on track but Its all cleome :-(. I also realized that i had the 3 pots too close together so that some flowers were not getting the sun they needed. how can I get the cleome a bit more under control and how can I get the other flowers to start to flourish again? I had been fertilizing once every 2 weeks or so. Here is a pic of the pot now (pic #1).

2nd question - does anyone know what this is growing right next to my sedum? Is this a weed or some other planting? (Pics 2&3)

Finally - a few leaves on my rudbeckia look bad. Is this normal or a disease/pest? (Pic 4)

PS - dinner plate dahlias are still struggling a bit but I'm going to cut back on my fertilizer and hope for the best!

1. I'd stop fertilizing. Not sure other than that, no experience with that one.

2. Yes a weed, pull it.

3. All the rain is likely contributing to problems with the rudbeckia. Looks like powdery mildew is forming. You also look like there are some pests muching on those. Rain is contributing to that for sure.

Sorry I forgot to add you can buy a fungicide for the powdery mildew, but it should also clear up with drier weather and clip off the affected leaves and dispose of.

The rain we've had on the East Coast together with the high temperatures does not help angelonias..I have them, too and they are a bit weak, but they come back. I get them every year.
For powdery mildew, make the Cornell mixture:

To 1 gallon of water, mix the following ingredients:

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 tablespoon horticultural oil

1 or 2 drops dishwashing liquid

? does anyone know what this is on my petunias? also, could it be eating them? i've noticed quite a number of petunias being partially eaten (as you can see in this pic). is it good or bad - keep or kill?

I looked online to make sure it's what I think, and it looks like it is a tobacco hornworm..so get rid of it..it will eat your plants

Thanks Printesa! We got rid of it (it had already eaten several petunias :-(. Do you know if we are likely to find more - do they appear in groups?

check under the leaves...they should be just like the tomato hornworm, which are pain..their eggs are like white fluffy cotton pieces

Hi again - can anyone tell me if these are eggs from the tobacco hornworm (or something else)? I've found a few of the worms in my petunias and a lot have been eaten. What can I do to get rid of these??

Sorry to say, I don't think those are eggs, but rather the catepillar/worm feces. My nursery recommends/uses Bonide Eight spray to control these insects.... but I think you need to be sure spray it at the right time of day so you don't hurt the lovely, pollenating bees!

Thanks 1Katinka - gross! Ok I will look into the spray. Hopefully I can salvage these petunias! I have a ton of bees and butterflies and definitely I don't want to hurt them.
Any other ideas on how to rid my pots of these worms??

Sorry... the same things destroyed mine too until I used that stuff... no ideas otherwise... hope it works for you... good luck! : )

Another question about my flowers. I have coreopsis planted throughout my landscaping. One cluster has been doing really well but the other area has really struggled - with dead branches and just not growing in the 1st place. I think shadows from my large pots may have been a factor.

My question is - are they dead or is it likely that they will come back next spring? Should I just cut them back or dig up?
1st 3 pics are the 3 plants that are struggling & 4th pic are the 3 healthy ones (unfortunately the rain just did a number on some of the flowers). Also - should I cut back the dead flowers in order to have grow again or leave alone? I've already cut back some of the dead flowers earlier this summer. I obviously want to have the flowers continue to bloom into the fall.

I have the same problem and I think it's because of the rain. Last year they did really well and I had them in the same spots..nothing changed. I cut the dry ones,,they do come back usually...not sure how many flowers they will have in fall..

Love your beautiful stone work, great patio!

Thank You!

@ichiolero - thanks for your nice comment about my patio. FYI. I'm not sure why @arlingtonstone is thanking you too. Strange.