Plants for a New Raised Bed

15 years ago

Hi-

I have been "lurking" about for several weeks. I feel like I know you all, which I guess puts me at an unfair advantage. I live just south of Fort Myers.

My husband hs been building wonderful raised bed planter/benches--I will post a picture when I get it planted. The new one is 8 x 2 x 2, and in the full sun.

I can't figure out what to put in it. The original plan was to plant peppers. Is it too late?

However, it is such a neat thing...I want do add something a little more spectacular..I think someone mentioned "Rangoon Creeper"? I was also thinking about Wrightia religiousa, or Randia formasa (Blackberry Jam Fruit). I am going by pictures and descriptions--what I need is some pesonal experience. I want flowers and fragrance..lots of color.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions

Maggie

Comments (6)

crystabel
15 years ago
Hi Maggie! Your raised beds/benches sound lovely, can't wait to see some pics :) .
Not sure if you are in Lee County, but if you are near fort myers you are pretty close. Here's a link to Lee County Extension Office. This should take you to the calendar and you can just click on June and see what is good to plant in your area in June :) . If you're not in Lee you can just google your county extension office. BTW, it looked like peppers (from transplants, not seed) were on the June list.
thonotorose
15 years ago
I love Rangoon Creeper but you should know that some find the perfume overpowering. I do, too, unless if can waft across some distance. The seed pods are used in traditional medicines of Asia as a vermifuge.

Wrightia Religiosa is just lovely. I have had mine for about 3 years. It has bloomed every year but has not rebloomed for me, yet. I had read that it is a flusher or a continual bloomer. I have the single form. The scent is marvelous though not too strong. The closest that I can come to in describing it is orchid. Very fine and complex.

I am interested in the Randia. Is it fragrant also?
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maggiepearl
Original Author
15 years ago
I'm only going by the pictures in the catalog...but it says the Randia is fragrant...It is a cool looking plant.

I have been banned from posting a link to the website, which is such a shame..It is a really good one. Guess you have to play by the rules!

My bed/bench is near the pool...I may have to find another home for the Rangoon Creeper, he might be better off lurking near the fence...
coffeemom
15 years ago
Hi Maggie. Actually all you have to say is "The Website that is banned" and most of us will know who it is.
I vote for Lady of the night. Love the fragrance. Day blooming jasmine smells like white chocolate. You can find both of them on "the website."
Brugs have flowers and fragrance,too.
maggiepearl
Original Author
15 years ago
"Lady of the Night" is one of my favorites..Mine is blooming now and smells just heavenly. I also have another Brunfelsia...."Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

I spent about three years trying to find the silly thing--a couple of hurricanes got in the way. Ended up with one little plant in a pot--and then found them on line. We put in small hedge of it on the back side of the pond.

I have some rooted cuttings I am willing to share, I can't bear to prune them and just throw it away.

I have to find something different for my planter!
coffeemom
15 years ago
How about a varigated jasmine or yellow jasmine(also on the website that cannot be mentioned) I love the smell of honeysuckle even if it's invasive. Vietnamese gardenia smells like vanilla.
I got an asiatic buddleia that's very fragrant. Little Gem magnolia has fragrant large blooms.
(doing a mental walk thru my garden here)

Plants for a New Raised Bed

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Plants for a New Raised Bed

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