For this project I used three different plants, a terracotta container of my liking, and potting soil. All of these materials can be found at your local home and garden store.
To represent the blue, I used a plumbago plant. It is a perennial, meaning it will endure year after year without having to reseed or replant. It also thrives in summer heat, which is a plus for south Texas.
For red, I used another perennial called a firebush. It is very tolerant to heat and drought. A really cool feature is that its tubular-shaped flowers resemble fireworks popping in the sky!
For the last color, I used a white vinca, another drought and heat tolerant plant. These are annuals and will only live for one growing season. These are the plants I chose to represent the colors of our flag. However, if something else strikes your fancy, by all means go with it. You should personalize your landscape and/or garden to your taste and style.
Now the "how-to." First, pour a little bit of potting soil into your chosen container, approximately 1/3 full. Remove the tallest plant from its plastic container, break up the soil and roots a little bit, and place into your container on top of the potting soil. If the top of the soil from the potted plant pretty much aligns with the top of your container, you're good. Add or remove potting soil under the plant as needed.
Do the same for the next two plants, starting with the next tallest, and ending with the shortest. Place them where you see fit. You may want to do a little adjusting, just to get the plants where you want them. Next, water them in their new home, just enough to make the soil moist. Last step is to step back and admire your beautiful work!
This quick and easy project is an inexpensive way to bring color to your yard while displaying your patriotism.
