The Garden Patch

Over the past several years we’ve visited Southern Gardening producer Tim Allison’s mailbox gardening project. I think you’ll be as impressed as I am. Southern Gardening has documented this mailbox garden from the very beginning. I have to say this is the very best I’ve seen it. To be honest I’m crazy for coneflowers and love that they thrive on neglect. I’m drawn to these tall Bravado purple coneflower with their two to four inch blooms of bright purple petals and dark center cones. For some repetition there’s Pow Wow Wild Berry coneflower. These are smaller plants with superior branching. I really like the flowers with their deeper purple petals. Adding to the beauty of this planting are the Alaska Shasta daisies. At the end of the up to three foot stems are three inch flowers with pure white petals and bright yellow centers. You might even see a coneflower poking up through the clump. I love the lower growing plants sprawling around this landscape bed. Purple wing has been a solid performer over the years. Towards the cement drive the conditions are a little harsher but the purslane likes it that way and thrives there every year. And how about the Cora Cascade flowering vinca spilling out on the concrete with their bright flowers saying welcome home. Adding the sunflowers and the soon to bloom hardy hibiscus can certainly brighten yours and the mailman’s day. I’m horticulturist Gary Bachman and I’ll see you next time on Southern Gardening.