I have inherited three green-painted wrought iron plant stands from Steve’s parents. He brought them home on Saturday, after sorting possessions for an estate sale. I was delighted, and quickly found areas to place them in my garden. I’ve wanted to work more with vertical container arrangements for a while.

I enjoyed part of Saturday wandering around the San Lorenzo Garden Center in Santa Cruz. I could’ve easily spent several hours there! My goal was to purchase a few medium-sized terracotta pots, and I found two slightly cracked ones for $1.99 each. I was tempted by many different plants, but managed to restrict my impulses to one more cayenne pepper plant that looked particularly healthy, and some purple basil. I added the basil to my coconut-fiber herb planter, having moved the tall, overgrown oregano to its own container. So now I have short plants of tarragon, basil and thyme together, which looks good and smells amazing.

While at the garden store, I took the time to increase my knowledge of plants by reading helpful description cards attached to many of the displays. I learned more about flowering plants that attract pollinators, and confirmed that I have been growing my salvias with the proper conditions: bright sun, average soil and time-release fertilizer.

Three of the megawatt begonias from the GrowIt! sample program have reached the point of fully formed blooms. The two in a hanging planter are doing especially well. The bright yellow center of the blooms was a nice surprise to see. I hope these will last for many months; generally I lean towards having perennials in my garden, but annuals that bloom for the duration of the warm season are also welcome.