Ok, while adding these photos I updated two other albums of my gardens. To see what I did with containers this year, please click on this link:

Here is a link that might be useful: Containers Album

And if you totally aren't bored looking at pictures, click on this link to see the 'Rip Wrap garden'.

Sue

PS Hope I am not getting to be like the relative who asks 'Let's sit down and see my photos and slides of my vacation'....

Here is a link that might be useful: Rip Wrap Garden Album

Some interesting ideas there.
Thanks for sharing.
I think that 'interesting yellow coneflower' is Echinacea 'Sunrise' from Big Sky series.
Two out of 3 of mine came back this year, but I think they are on decline, smaller and less floriferous than last year. Guessing that our wet winters is not to their liking.

So, Sue...starting to venture into the world of container gardening, huh? Watch out, it's addicting. Every year you'll be trying new plant combos and buying more pots. By the looks of things you're off to a great start. This is my first year with tomatoes. The early observation is I should probably have used bigger pots and found bigger cages. Every year you learn something. I've yet to venture into the trough world but I do have an undeveloped spot in the yard that would be perfect for them. Maybe next year...

Did you enjoy the Hull tour? Obviously the location makes for an interesting day-ocean views, nice patio settings, etc.-but I didn't see what I thought were any interesting gardens from a plant perspective. Am I right? I had to laugh though at that toilet planter. Both of our vintage toilets (1941) crapped out, so to speak, during Christmas week last year. My husband broke one up and fed it into the trash. The other one sat out behind the garage all winter and I tried to decide if I wanted to attempt to make some sort of garden ornament out of it. In the end I just couldn't come up with anything creative enough and much to the husband's relief I let it go. lol

Sue

George and Sue -
Yes I think in terms of unusual plants the only two that I hadn't seen before was the yellow coneflower and some regal lilies (seen in catalogs only). So these were a nice surprise! Being so close to the ocean and having a nice sunny day was the big draw for us. I think in terms of plants the most unusual, spectacular garden tours I've been on are the Mass Federation Garden Tours held every other year. In these gardens you see designer gardens (by famous plants people) with the most interesting plant selections and hardscapes. I guess that is why they only have it every two years!

Sue - so did you read my comment that your containers were my inspiration? Thanks for taking a look! I have always liked to do silk flower arrangements. The containers were very much like making these arrangements up only with live plants. So it is addicting - I did find myself looking at the clearance pots and seeing if I could snag some for next season already. I am already noting what has worked and hasn't worked as well for next season.

So Sue did you like the toilet planter? It was in the garden of the son of one of the other gardeners. The father's garden was so over the top and eccentric. The toilet was the only real over the top thing in the son's garden. I think you made a wise choice not including it. Your gardens are so lovely Sue I think it would have detracted from your gardens rather than adding to them. We all agreed although it was an interesting conversation piece it was probably the tackiest part of the tour!

Sue

A couple of people asked about this sedum. This particular one is called Sedum sieboldii 'Mediovariegatum' or 'October Dahne'. I got this at Mahoney's in Winchester. I'm always on the lookout for new sedum varieties :-)

PS the one problem with some of these variegated sedums is that they revert so you end up with a half and half plant. We shall see for this one...

Sue