{"id":5129,"date":"2025-11-13T15:17:50","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T23:17:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/13\/leslies-colorful-containers-in-colorado-part-2\/"},"modified":"2025-11-13T15:17:52","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T23:17:52","slug":"leslies-colorful-containers-in-colorado-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/13\/leslies-colorful-containers-in-colorado-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Leslie’s Colorful Containers in Colorado, Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Hi GPODers!<\/p>\n

Are you ready for more summer color? That\u2019s exactly what we\u2019ll see as we head back to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to enjoy more creative containers made by Leslie Ornelas. If you missed it yesterday, check out Part 1<\/a> so you don\u2019t miss out on the designs that we have already shared. Otherwise, enjoy this second batch of incredible containers.<\/p>\n

Gardening in Colorado is always a challenge, dealing with late\/early freezes, desiccating winds, semi-arid conditions, and the dreaded H-word\u2014HAIL. Yet gardeners are a hearty and stubborn ilk, not easily dissuaded from our passion for growing and immersing ourselves in nature.<\/em><\/p>\n

Container planting is a favorite creative outlet of mine, given the flexibility of growing a vast variety of plants in ever-changing combinations. Especially exciting is experimenting with new designs each year, as well as repeating successful mixes.<\/em><\/p>\n

Over the years, foliage has become the foundation of most plantings. Flowers are always enchanting, yet interesting foliage plants, especially coleus, ensure consistent beauty throughout the season. Along with grasses, which fare well through bouts of hail, perennials such as hostas and heucheras are great container choices.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/a>Yesterday we saw a lot of stand-alone pots and container groupings, but this photo shows that Leslie also adds container magic to her planted beds. This bright blend adds a bit of warmth to an otherwise cool-toned planting.<\/p>\n

\"container<\/a>As we saw yesterday, Leslie has a real eye for fabulous foliage combinations that don\u2019t need flowers but only get better with the addition of blooms. Happy Days\u2122 Purple dahlia (Dahlia<\/em><\/a> \u2018HDPU165\u2019, Zones 8\u201311 or as an annual) has black foliage that really makes it shine.<\/p>\n

\"close<\/a>Leslie is able to add even more plants to her space with planters that hang from fences and walls. This small blue planter is particularly eye-catching with a chartreuse creeping Jenny (Lysimachia<\/a> nummularia<\/em>, Zones 4\u20138), blue lobelia<\/a>, and a bright pink calibrachoa<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"lime<\/a>Now that\u2019s what I call a spiller! This sweet potato vine (Ipomoea<\/a> batatas<\/em>, Zones 9\u201311 or as an annual) is so long and lush that it can be hard to tell at first glance where the plant begins or ends. What an effective illusion, if you enjoy the look of a vine climbing up a tree but want to avoid potential damage.<\/p>\n

\"colorful<\/a>Check out this amazing focal point pot! The plumes of the purple fountain grass (Pennisetum<\/a> setaceum<\/em> \u2018Rubrum\u2019, Zone 9\u201310 or as an annual) are glowing in the fading sunlight while a multicolored Joseph\u2019s coat (Amaranthus<\/a> tricolor<\/em>, annual) is a kaleidoscope of color shooting up through the center.<\/p>\n

\"succulents<\/a>If you find interest in foliage, there is a whole world to experiment with once you turn your eye to succulents. The choice of a bright green sedum here gave this pot some crazy cool hair.<\/p>\n

\"container<\/a>This is a stunning fire-and-ice combination. Orange-red zinnia is a fantastic contrast to \u2018Silver Swirl\u2019 dusty miller (Centaurea<\/a> ragusina<\/em> \u2018Balcentsirl\u2019, Zone 6\u20139), while a rainbow dracaena (Dracaena reflexa<\/em> var. angustifolia<\/em> \u2018Tricolor\u2019, Zone 10\u201312 or as an annual) unites the two.<\/p>\n

\"dog<\/a>And it looks like Leslie\u2019s pup also enjoys her container plantings! On a sunny day, the space under her sprawling designs becomes the perfect spot to enjoy some shade.<\/p>\n

Thank you so much for sharing this lovely array of containers with us, Leslie! Your creativity is absolutely boundless, and they are an inspiration to anyone looking to experiment more in their plantings. I hope that we get lots more updates from your garden.<\/p>\n

How did your containers perform this year? As colder days blow in, this is the perfect time to reflect on summer successes to plan ahead for next year\u2019s designs. As you\u2019re reminiscing, consider sharing your favorite summer container creations with Garden Photo of the Day! Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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We want to see YOUR garden!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Have photos to share? We\u2019d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!<\/p>\n

To submit, send 5\u201310 photos to\u00a0[email\u00a0protected]<\/span><\/a>\u00a0along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We\u2019d love to hear where you are located, how long you\u2019ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.<\/p>\n

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on\u00a0Facebook,<\/a>\u00a0Instagram,<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0with #FineGardening!<\/p>\n

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet?\u00a0Sign up here<\/a><\/p>\n

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Fine Gardening Recommended Products<\/p>\n

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Organo Republic 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix for Indoor & Outdoors<\/p>\n

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.<\/p>\n

Premium 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix – Special Garden Flower Seeds Blend designed for planting indoor & outdoors across North America. With over 16 varieties and 100,000 wildflower seeds, this mix is the best solution to attract pollinators – bees, butterflies & birds are essential for garden plants health. Our Special Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix Includes White Yarrow, Columbine, New England Aster, Siberian Wallflower, Shasta Daisy, Lance-Leaf Coreopsis, Sweet William, Purple Coneflower, Blanketflower, Gayfeather, Blue Flax, Lupine, Dwarf Evening, Primrose, Mexican Hat, Prairie Coneflower, Black Eyed Susan. Easy & Fun Growing Experience with our online guides – Don\u2019t plant disappointment – Add more colors to your wildflower garden! We send only super hearty heirloom flower seeds with the highest germination rate and fast sprout. Our detailed growing guide helps you grow seeds the garden of your dream like a PRO. Colorful Wildflower Garden from Seeds – Grow wildflowers everywhere – Indoor in window garden or Outdoors Flower garden Garden make a beautiful design for your garden borders, pathways, field or meadow and attract pollinators. Made in the USA by Small Family-Owned Business – Quality You Can Trust – Our wildflower bulk seeds variety pack are tested at the highest germination rates before being sealed to last for up to 3 years before you need to plant. Each packet of our flower seeds variety pack is resealable to make it easy to store and has its own label with a QR code for the growing instructions. \n<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Johnny\u2019s Selected Seeds Connecta\u00ae Cultivation Kit<\/p>\n

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.<\/p>\n

Choose the right tool head for the job and switch out quickly with a simple push-button release. Includes the Connecta receiver, Connecta Collinear 4 head, Connecta Collinear 7 head, Connecta Contour Wire 4 head, Connecta Contour Wire 6 head, a sustainably harvested oiled ashwood handle, and a stainless-steel carrying clip.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n