The snow is falling, the driveway is icy, and it's darn cold out there, so I'm researching my options for my containers this year. That problem of finding yellow, orange, and red flowers that tolerate shade (since my old faithful, Impatiens, is off the table this year) has been giving me fits. Couldn't sleep last night, so I got up and ordered bulbs from Brent&Becky's. I did order a couple of things for my containers, Oxalis regnellii 'Pot of Gold' sounded like a good one for a couple of my small pots. It's filtered shade in that spot, so I think they should be happy. There are also a couple of spots that get a good dose of afternoon sun, where Geraniums (Pelargoniums) performed well, so I picked up some yellow Zephranthes (Z.flavessima and Z.citrina) to try there.
Now I'm browsing the Karutz Greenhouse site, and saw that they are carrying a lovely selection of Achimines, including some orange and yellow varieties! Its been many years since I grew Achimines, but I recall them being very easy and blooming their hearts out. Thinking that may be the answer, and they grow from tubers that can be brought inside for winter and left dormant in the pots, so it may just be a nice long term investment!
