I decided, about 20 backaches ago, that I needed to scale back my expectations of massive beds of color washing the front of our landscape. Those just weren’t going to be practical if I were going to continue to walk erect on this earth much longer.
I remembered that sweet lady in North Dallas who explained why she had gone to so much trouble growing color on her front porch — a dozen large pots all brimming with blooms. “I’m losing my eyesight,” she said. “I love gardening, so I grow my flowers up close so I can see them and care for them when I go out to get my mail.” Her landscape was the showiest one on the block.
In that light, I’ve brought with me some of my favorite plants for little spots of accents. These are the ones I’d use to draw attention to special places around my home. Mind you, we have almost total shade, so most of these are going to want that kind of lighting.
▪ Wax begonias. I grow these in beds, and I plant them in pots and hanging baskets. I can’t get enough of them. They’re gorgeous from now until fall. Green-leafed types need full shade. Bronze-leafed types can take a little more sun. Their flowers are red, pink, and white…