From Pansies to Begonias

Spring is pansy time

I adore pansies and I buy at least two flats every Spring

Some go in the front planters

The ones that flank the entrance to the porch

While others go in the back planters

The ones that flank the back door

The door to the basement

The door -- back in the 20s

Where groceries were delivered

Where the servants came and went

But pansies don't last long in prairie heat

Usually around Memorial Day

they seem spent

And then we replant the planters with annuals

But we've had a cooler spring

And a wetter spring

And the pansies have been stellar this year

And I've enjoyed each extra pansy day

For pansies are one of my favorite flowers!

However, it has been warmer

(although it's still wet)

And the pansies started getting leggy

It's mid June

It's the longest that I've had pansies!

Often, by the time it's time to replace the pansies,

the annuals are on sale

Although the selection is not as good as it was earlier in the year

This year
The annuals were not on sale
but because of the wet and cool spring
there were more choices.

I have found begonias are a great pot plant for the prairie.
No deadheading and they seem not to suffer so much if we have a hot and dry spell
(as we often do)

Usually, I get red ones

This year . . .

I opted for white

With bronzy leaves 

Which echo the rust on the front pots

And the white looks fresh in the planters by the back door

It makes the side entrance seem "brighter"

And I love the name of this variety of begonias . . .

"Cocktail Whiskey"

Isn't that a great name?

And what pretty flowers!

Now . . . finally all of the planters at Linderhof are now filled with annuals!

Where they will keep blooming away until frost

And will be replaced with Winter evergreen!

It's Sunday and I'm joining The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays.