Filling the hypertufa containers

When I shared images of my autumn hanging plantings and dish planters (here) I ended the post with a teaser photo of the hypertufa pots I was planting up. Today we'll take a closer look at those containers...

There are three different groups of planters; the first set is parked at the end of a short run of retaining wall bricks, next to our driveway. The two small containers in front are from apotspot, and they're not actually hypertufa but rather "hand cast stone" made by artist Claire Bandfield. I've had them for years now, hanging out in another spot, but when I brought home the larger pot I moved them, thinking they made a nice statement together.

The larger pot—and all the others you'll see in this post—came from Alex Martinez. He recently put his house on the market and sold his extensive hypertufa collection, pots he had made. I was thrilled to acquire nine of these containers. Also, I can't take credit for the fern planting, I bought this container because the fern just looked so perfect in it. It's a cheilanthes, possibly Cheilanthes tomentosa (Myriopteris tomentosa).

The texture on the fronds is pretty incredible.

The two small containers are filled with NOID sempervivum...

One a selection of offsets pulled from plants around the garden.

I've picked this poor pot up and put it back into place a couple times now. I thought the squirrels were getting a little rambunctious, but it turns out Andrew has been hitting it with his car door. Oops.

The striking plant in the other pot came from Means nursery.

Birds-eye view.

On to the next group! This photo was taken while I was sitting on our front porch...

... and this one from inside the house, looking out the front door—something I'll be doing a lot of over the next few months as it's often too wet and cold to be outside. I'm so glad we have this large glass "security" door as it's great for garden views and getting extra light in the house.

Moving closer to the door, you can see how the new containers add interest to the view.

The first container I filled with an Agave x leopoldii, which should be able to handle what ever our winter throws at it.

Next to that is a NOID—but very ruffled—sempervivum I also picked up at Means Nursery.

Isn't it gorgeous?

I didn't set out to plant in a silver and burgundy color scheme, it just kind of unfolded that way.

I don't normally do mixed planters, but I love how this one turned out.

Another Means sempervivum, along with a few different saxifraga (one is Saxifraga 'Whitehill') and Antennaria microphylla. All bought the day I paid my final visit to Joy Creek Nursery.

The super spiky guy on the right was labeled Acantholimon laxipicatum and came to me via Ann and her trip to Kathy Allen's garden and nursery in Medford, Oregon. I hope to join her the next time she ventures that way.

This sempervivum was passed on to me from Sound Gardener, it's a special plant from our visit to Linda Boley's garden, during the 2019 Garden Bloggers Fling. Linda had a patch of these with leaves like pinecones, I asked about it and she gave a few of us plants. Unfortunately mine didn't make it, but now I get a second chance to see if those unique pinecone-like leaves will develop.

Yes there is another of the ruffled dark sempervivum, how could I buy just one?

The final pot in this set came filled with bits of different sedum, and of course moss. I was tempted to leave it as is, but added a couple plants.

(just behind the pot is the Agave parrasana 'Meat Claw', I had to share a close-up)

Anyway, the squirrels have had a great time digging in this container and making a mess of the poor plants, I keep tucking them back in.

There are a couple Saxifraga kolenatiana 'Foster's Red' mixed in there.

Along with a Monardella macrantha 'Marion Sampson'.

Okay, two container groupings down, one to go! The final group of three are to the southside of our front steps. One actually on the steps...

This one came planted with the fluffy sedum. I have not a clue what it is.

It doesn't try to compete with the moss on the planter, which let's face it, is the primary reason I love this pot.

Yes, I also had great fun taking photos and may have gotten a little carried away, the light was perfect.

Moss and agaves... it works.

Agave parrasana 'Globe' in the hypertufa cylinder, the others in the background are in the ground.

Well, except for the big guy in the metal container... (he's a NOID).

The coniferous groundcover came to me from Cistus Nursery labeled as Juniperus communis v saxatilis. The powder blue leaves on the left belong to Euphorbia ridiga.