Red, white and blue flowers…yes or no?
Posted on July 3rd, 2008 – 8:19 AMBy Robyn Dochterman
They can be cool and clever, but just as often, the floral expression of patriotism tends toward the cheesy. Have you seen displays done well? What flowers work particularly well? Or should gardeners leave the flag-waving to actual flags?
What’s your vote — yes or no to red, white and blue flowers?
11 Responses to "Red, white and blue flowers…yes or no?"
Ack, I actually cringed when I saw that picture! Can there ever be an attractive mass bedding scheme?
LOL. So, that would be a no, for you, judybusy?
I think there IS the possibility of an attractive mass bedding scheme (the “Annuals for Minnesota & Wisconsin” book by Engebretson/Williamson includes photos of some good ones), but red-white-and-blue ain’t it.
GAH! I hate this color scheme!
The gardeners who use red, white, & blue colors should be applauded for being patriotic in their endeavors. Blue is the hardest color to capture in a garden.
I don’t care either way really about what’s in the mass bedding. I do harbor a little hatred for those cut flowers they dye to match. Have a red white and blue garden kiwi?
I think the biggest issues with rw&b schemes are that the plants are all the same size/shape/texture, and the proportions are 1:1:1. How does this sound: a perennial bed with a few red rose bushes, some blue bellflowers, and an alyssum “underlay” to the whole thing? Or a pair of big, blue pots with red and white petunias on either side of an entry?
Mostly thumbs down on the r,w, & b, huh? Anyone want to fess up to having done it? It’s clearly popular. Interesting idea, Su, to include the color of the pot in the color scheme.
I’m not so hot on the red,white and blue color theme myself. I love all of those colors by themselves, but together, not so much. . . I haven’t seen it done very well. And it looks like they’re trying.
Reminds me of a white garden I attempted one time. Good idea. Bad execution. But I was trying . . .
Su spotted the problem: all the plants are identical in size, shape, and texture. St. Paul has a similar display of RW&B annuals in several large beds near the Xcel Energy Center. The blues are more purple than blue. I won’t be surprised if they get ripped out and replaced.
I have one smallish container with RW&B annuals. It was an experiment. The three plants are trailing, bushy, and spiky, so I think there will be enough contrast to make it work. I’ll take a photo when they are all in bloom.
In May, I planted some mystery lilies (asiatic) that turned out to be red. Were it not for the yellow blossoms that dominate my garden right now, the red lilies, white shasta daisies, and blue cornflowers would make for a patriotic combination.
No way!
Greengirls Connie Nelson, Robyn Dochterman and Jaime Chismar are dishin' the dirt from the backyard garden and beyond. Whether you're a greenthumb or greenhorn, they're eager to learn from your misshaps, mistakes -- and most importantly, your sweet successes -- all growing season long.
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