I wanted to wait until I got it finished to post but considering we have a storm about to enter the Gulf that may not happen. Here is a pic of my efforts so far. It is so hot here working is an early morning thing and not for very long. Winds came through and really messed up my coleus in the corner. It was up to the railing and now as you can see it is spread all over. I think it will still keep going if we do not get the storm. Anyway here are my efforts on the deck this year.

Here is a close up of my best coleus of the year. It is the one that got hit by strong winds a couple days ago.

I still have a lot of planting to do. I keep making babies and I have them coleus all over the yard too.

Looking great Shirley!!! I'm afraid to go home. My few remaining coleus were looking better when I left, but it has been in the 90's there since I've been gone. We shall see..

I know what you mean. It is over 90 here every day and the rain just slips around us and leaves us dry. Makes you want to scream. We are going on a trip and I expect everything to be dead when we get back. I hate to ask anyone to water for me. Also a storm is brewing. Who knows what that will lead to. Oil is every where. It is really getting scary with no end in sight. I pray it will be controlled soon.

. shirleyt

Shirley, thanks for the invite. Your deck looks so happy and lush. I love it when coleus get so showy! Color balance is great, too.

And there is so much more season left..I trust that your obviousl creativity will out wit any winds and storms that come your way. Stay cool and safe, surrounded by all the beauty you create and care for.

My prayers forGulf recovery, too. Shirley, is there anything we who are further removed from the oil can do? Just tell us what comes to mind, any thing...

Judy

Hi coleup welcome to our coleus chatter site. We all love coleus here and enjoy each others chit chat and pics. Just pray for the oil site to be plugged. It scares me to think it will be late August before they can do that with the other well. They have a huge skimmer on its way that will really help and are now blocking the oil with barges to keep any more from coming into the marshes. Pray we do not get a direct hit from any storm. That would be a disaster for sure. We need everyone to keep an eye on BP and see if they are helping the victims as promised. If not this area is in for a hard time. I am fifty miles inland and my family does not depend on the Gulf for our direct lively hood. My son is a trucker and has half the work now that he used to have and of course the tourist business is hit hard. As for my coleus if we have a storm I will take cuttings move in what I can clean up and start over. That is what you have to do. Just get on with it. Katrina taught a huge lesson. Be prepared, and work hard to recover. shirleyt

Wow, Shirley, it's beautiful!

I heard on the weather channel today that depending on where t.s. Alex goes, and how strong it gets, it could actually rain oil. I just can't imagine that.

Karen

Ms.Shirley your deck is so beautiful, Things are growing so big and colorful for you. Keep your head down with that storm coming.one advantage think of all the new cuttings you can make from the broken stems.

Shirley, you are so ahead of me that I am ashamed of myself. I don't even think I can catch up with all that beauty. You and Ms Sandy just have a knack for great combination's.
The whole place looks like an explosion of color. It's your "Rainbow" thumb.
I'm off to NC in the morning and will have several days with no internet access. They have wired for 2 wire half a mile away.
I'll be in High gear when I get back. I'm expecting company this year.
Latest report around here says that Alex isn't headed to the Gulf!
God bless Louisiana and all those other states.
Hugs
Sidney

Very nice and inviting; you've done an excellent job. Now if it would only cool done enough so that you can enjoy sitting outside. I find that early in the morning is when I can enjoy my patio, and that's if the wind is not blasting. We are also in the 90's this summer.

Thanks for sharing!

Patty

I really enjoy the deck all year. We do it in the fall and winter too. It is really hot most of the time so I am learning to garden early in the morning in a bathing suit and shower myself as I shower the plants. Makes it so much more enjoyable. Oh I put light weight shorts and top over it. Do not want to shock the neighbors too much. lol. Sidney have a great trip. I have to get some more potting soil and pots. Need more garden soil for around the tree I usually do. It looks lost this year because I have not properly planted that area yet. I usually plant it and the just stick more cuttings in as the rains come. That has not happened yet. I am still watering like crazy. The front bed is coming along nicely. I will post pics when it is at peak. I again am having a love affair with coleus. Is there anything that is easier and more fun to play with in a garden??? I am glad you guys enjoyed the deck, wish I could have you over for tea or coffee.. shirleyt

absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! what's for lunch???

Hello everyone. Just back from our nine day Va Ca. We had a great time. We stayed at Petite Jean for five nights Lake Hamilton for two and Vicksburg for one. That child of mine had me hiking trails exploring bear caves and driving a party barge, and or course visiting Garvan gardens and art galleries. She has a system going to get me back into life as she lives it. I get points for every new thing I do. What is going to happen to all these points I don't know but I am racking them up. Maybe I can trade them in for that new red convertible we have been eyeing . lol It rained almost daily since we have been gone so the plants were much larger and everything is lush. I might say that includes the grass. I have got to get that cut quickly or I will get lost out there. Tobee I am sure we could come up with something for lunch. I am always prepared for drop ins. Hope everyone is having a great summer. shirleyt

Hi Shirley,
Me too back from 2 weeks.
I had no internet most of the time. I could borrow a Sprint plug in twice. Back later with details.
Sidney

It's great that you are willing and able to do all those things. Count your blessings!

Karen

ok...so sidney..no internet for over 2 weeks...time to check your email and catch on up!!!!

well it is official coleus season is over. I went away for the weekend leaving a beautiful lush deck and came back to a mess. Yes a freeze while I was gone. How is that for timing. I had only moved the most valuable of plants to gh and ran out of time. Coleus on half the deck are dead. Some things are still great and no more frost expected for at least a week. lol Thanks I needed a two day freeze while away. Time to plant for fall Something to look forward too. Hope all is well. Brin we need to hear from you. Miss you. Has anyone heard from her. shirleyt.

Sorta,
Brinda is doing for her new house and not on the internet much.
Last time I talked to her she, Allen and Braden all doing well.
Hugs, Sidney

Thanks Sidney I really miss our old gang. How are you? Are you planning a move. We keep talking about Florida but we cannot do that for lots of reasons. We spent the weekend in Ocean Springs at the Peter Anderson Art and Pottery festival. Had a great time. The Gulf and sand were beautiful but no one was on the beaches. We just drove past. I am not sure they were open to the public. You would think someone would have been there. No one out an about. I can remember when you fought to find a parking place and the beach was packed. I guess times really do change. Sandy thought everyone was in the casinos. It may still be because of the BP problem. Have a great day and everyone keep in touch. shirleyt