Single-variety planters take just as much watering and grooming as fancy planters. If you want to mix plants, go for it. If you prefer the look of all-one-variety, then do that instead. You're the one who will see it daily. You can certainly put together something fabulous from catalogs, but for your first combo, go easy on yourself. I recommend you go to a friendly nursery where they will let you play around a bit. Take one of your favorite plants on a tour of the nursery and put it next to anything else you like the look of. Pick out some friends for your favorite. Check labels and ask the staff, if necessary, to make sure all your choices need the same amount of light, food and water. Take a few of each plant that you like, and keeping them in their pots, place them on the counter, floor, little red wagon, etc. so you can see how they look together. Stand back and see how it looks. Try a few different arrangements. Make sure you buy enough plants to make your containers look full from the start. Have fun! Oh, and at this point, you may be able to score some discounted or free plants to fill in what you have this year. Many nurseries do clearance sales this time of year. The plants may look sad, but they often bounce back after a couple of weeks of TLC. I picked up some free annuals today, from a nursery that wanted to get rid of them. They posted on Freecycle. I love Freecycle. Here is a link that might be useful: Freecycle

I live in New Zealand and have fought a real battle to grow these plants. We are equvalent to US zone 9, temperate climate. They are susceptible to sudden collapse and root rot, as well as botrytis. They flower like mad if kept slightly pot bound and exposed to lots of direct morning sun. Be careful though as too pot bound impedes drainage and very quickly causes stem rot in these plants. The key seems to be lots of water but with excellent drainage and drier when it is cool. Fallen leaves and flowers causes botrytis almost overnight, so keep the plant clean. A systemic fungicide solved my problems with the Guinea Impatiens and the wilt or sudden collapse problems. Our southern hemisphere midday+ sun is much to bright for them in summer, so they are kept partially shaded in afternoons. They won't flower in full shade, get leggy and eventually collapse. They love misty fine rain in our hot/dry summer and lots of water. I water mine with tepid-warm water like you do with African violets, so as not to shock the plant with sudden cold. Our winters can be rather cold and very wet, so I keep them indoors but fairly close to a window with sun/lots of light and reasonably dry, but never arid to the point where they wilt. I had two 3-year old plants in buckets which flowered beautifully and were fairy large, but they were hit by a rogue frost, albiet a light one and died virtually that day. Each colour of the Guinea Impatiens seems to have different hardiness. The purple colour is by far the strongest and easiest to grow in my opinion, while I find red and white more difficult. Pink is also easy to flower, big blooms but a much smaller plant. Odd eh. Even with failures, I keep buying these plants because they are just so lovely.

Hi Natureperson, You have quite the menu of options! What do you want to see? Flashy flowers, reliable flowers, or just something that generally looks really nice, flowers or not? You can have a mix, and I'm sure you'll get lots of good suggestions from others, but for my money, you can't go wrong starting with some nice coleus (probably not from Lowe's... go a little more high-end for something really nice), and a couple of sweet potato vines (ipomea). For flowers, I personally like fuchsia (do be careful how you pronounce that!), although begonias might do well in the situation you're talking about, and then you can get something really flashy going if you want to. There's always impatiens: personally I'm a fan of the "new guinea" strains... their foliage tends to be more interesting that the more regular types, which helps to carry you through when the bloom is less prominent. Personally, I'd also try to weave some silver foliage into the mix - dusty miller or artemisia - but that's just one of my personal likes. When I put together a planter such as that you're talking about, the bottom line is I'm effectively trying to create a living bouquet, and contrasting foliage is a big part of that for me. I like the look that you end up with (it's typically busy, but using foliage means that you're not so reliant on getting flowers). Different strokes for different folks, though... there are so many options that it really comes down to a matter of personal taste, and what "look" you're going for. Regardless, remember that it's just for this year... try some things, see what works and what doesn't, and keep note. Next year, you can keep the favorites and try different things to replace what you didn't like, or you can start over again completely. One other thing... depending on how big the urns are, and how they're placed, you might also want to think about tucking a small trellis into the back (or the center) and getting some climbers involved. The extra height never seems to disappoint! Have fun, and I hope they turn out to your satisfaction!

Hey all, One week down, 39 to go! The week was busy so it went fast, but some negative things with some students and one former collegue that I am not at liberty to discuss, but real downers. I'm glad it is the weekend. I guess I am officially 50 now. I got a phone call this morning from the gastroenterologist office to schedule my colonoscopy! It is not until November and I am NOT looking forward to it, but who does? I am doing WW CORE now. This is my first week. The points were just not working for me as I found myself using the bulk of them up eating 2 point snacks. I have spent a good part of the day making food to have for me, but I will share! So far I have made fruit salad, veggie soup, turkey chili and some puddings. Next I am going to make some brown rice to have on hand and some sort of oatmeal cookie thing I can have for breakfast. That is my only complaint about CORE is breakfast. I am used to some sort of bread in the morning, and I just can't do that, so I am trying to find alternatives that are quick and filling. Suzanne, I hope that you find your butt! I have been laughing reading last weeks posts. You guys have been entertaining! Donna, a good leader can make all the difference in WW. I only go to one leader because she really does motivate me. I have tried others and they just don't do it for me. Keep up the good work. OK, I have to hang my head in shame over the Patriots. I am so disappointed in our coach. I know he is a great guy and a great coach and I can't believe he did what he did. I am glad that he admitted his wrong doing and I hope that the team can just move on. I think the punishment was appropriate. Now they have to kick butt (not pork!) in tomorrows game to show the world that they are a great team regardless! Enjoy the weekend. Love, Besh