Bonsai

Ficus benjamina

                                                                  

While on vacation in Florida we visited a botanical garden that featured several bonsai. I find this art form to be fascinating but certainly don't have the patience to attempt.

Ilex 'Shilling's Dwarf'

These two specimens caught my eye because I grow both of them here in central Kentucky. The ficus in the first picture grows indoors as a small tree and the ilex as an outdoor shrub.

Shrubs in the Garden

 

Buxus microphylla 'Wintergreen'

Boxwoods are an often used shrub in the our garden. These are among the first planted here. I love the structure that they can provide. The daylilies that are planted in the middle of these areas are dormant now but the boxwoods will remain green all winter. They are sheared at least once in the spring to maintain the shape of the beds.

Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruiticosa'

I love to grow them in containers also. Planted in these containers are dwarf English Boxwood  .  Because they grow so slowly (sometimes as little as an inch a year) they are perfect to leave in containers for several years.

Wintergreen Boxwood and White Out Hydrangea

They are planted in borders with other plants to give the garden winter interest when the other plants are leafless. They provide a beautiful backdrop for annual plantings.

Pansies in Pots

I don't usually plant the pansies in pots but decided to give it a try this year. Since these pots are along the main walkway we use I get too enjoy the blooms more than if they were planted in one of the back beds.

Also put some in this basket that hangs from the rail along the steps to the cellar. So far they are looking pretty good but I am not sure if they will be able to survive the cold temperatures we normally have. Its fun to experiment anyway.