Fourth of July flowers

Southern Living, Jul 2000 by Riley, Ellen

Independence Day stirs the heart with red, white, and blue. While you're planning for the holiday, include a pot of patriotic posies for your table or set one by your front door. Better yet, jazz up your window boxes with stars-and-stripes colors. There are numerous flower combinations to consider, whether you have sun or shade.

FOR SUN

Red geraniums are a nostalgic favorite. Their classic flowers and sturdy foliage provide a substantial starting point for a combination planter. Other sunny choices for this vibrant primary color are Red Hot Sally salvia, with crimson spikes topping out around 12 inches tall, and trumpetlike petunias with a shorter, bushy attitude. Sun-loving red coleus, too, offer vivid foliage and strong texture.

White flower choices abound. White Madness petunias fairly glow in tandem with red and blue companions. White Star zinnia and verbena blooms swell gently over the pot's edges. The frothy flowers of sweet alyssum add a bit of fluff.

Majestic blue is not as plentiful, but these plants prove to be dependable bloomers. Blue Wonder scaevola is a tough perennial that loves the heat. Place it along the edge to cascade with fan-shaped flowers. Blue Victoria salvia will stand tall and salute with spikes of deep blue blossoms. Place it as the tallest flower in your container.

These choices appreciate full sun to light of ternoon shade. Place tall selections, such as the salvias or geranium, to provide height in the center or back of the container. Fill in with shorter plants, such as petunias, and then head for the edge with cascading flowers. Purchase plants in full bloom for a last-minute project.

FOR SHADE

If your garden is shady, you can still stick with the red, white, and blue theme. Plant White Christmas caladium, red and white impatiens, and Blue Bells browallia for a fabulous-looking Fourth of July container. The caladium and browallia provide the tall elements, and the impatiens fill in below. Add green-and-white variegated ivy to drip over the sides of the container.

Flowers always add a festive spark to any occasion, and these summer blossoms are guaranteed to produce a flag-waving display With these plants you can keep your patriotism growing even after the all-American holiday.

WHEN THE FIREWORKS HAVE FADED

If red, white, and blue don't suit your summer color scheme, add yellow or purple and pink flowers to the mix-once the Fourth is over-for a vibrant seasonal collection.