Check Out These Pages, Too!

"Possibility and promise greet me each day as I walk out into my garden. My vigor is renewed when I breathe in the earthiness and feel the dirt between my fingers. My garden is a peaceful spot to refresh my soul." Meems






Welcome to my Central Florida Garden Blog where we garden combining Florida natives, Florida-Friendly plants, and tropicals.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

rearrange the furniture


this is an angel wing begonia, ivy and vinca


purple queen, polka dot plant, lime green potato vine,
geraniums, miss muffet caladiums, variegated asian jasmine





i recently moved this pot from another area where the variegated


ivy spilled over and now serves as the ground cover. this pot's


new home is behind the purple queen and the june bride


caladiums; in its new spot it is just higher than the purple queen


and gives an added dimension to the bed.












this coleus, marble leaf plant and liriope combination








borders a pathway that leads from the driveway








to the back yard












it is difficult to see the pot in this photo: it is on the right.


from the front of this planting it makes the miss


muffet caladiums and impatiens show up above the plants


in the ground.

















there are so many expressions in gardening. i really enjoy creating potted gardens. each one a combination of plants and flowers. each one its own delightful scene of color, texture and form.

my usual approach is to start with at least one (depending on the size of the pot) or two foundational plants. i will choose plants that will last through every season. that way i can change out the accent plants when i want to but don’t have to start completely over. this method also gives these ‘all in one’ gardens a somewhat mature look at all times. typically my foundational plants are variegated liriope, xanadu, giant liriope, variegated schefflera, african iris, ivy or any combination of these. all of which i already have planted in my yard in various places so i simply dig up a portion of a plant from somewhere and transplant it to the pot. usually i add a bit of potting soil and liquid fertilizer whenever i re-arrange a container.


it is important to keep in mind all the types of plants i want to end up with in my pot as i get started. it is also good to know how large or small the plants will get so i can place them in the position best suited for their size. this simply means i place trailing vines on the outside and taller plants towards the center. finally, i need to determine which plants will grow ‘together’ well as it relates to sun brightness and watering needs.


container gardens are a creative way to dress up an entry or walk way, a patio, a pool area and i even place them strategically in my garden among my plantings. the advantage to potted plants in the garden is their versatility and mobility. when i notice an area looking a bit sparse or barren i can transfer a pot or two and give the area instant color and cohesiveness. it’s kind of like rearranging your furniture. they can add height or depth to particular areas. i suggest grouping pots of varying sizes together as opposed to arranging in a straight line. Groups are much more pleasing to the eye. every spring and fall i say i don’t need anymore potted plants but they are so much fun to create i always seem to make a couple more and “find” a place for them.


these wonderful gardens in a pot require maintenance. typically they will need to be watered frequently. they are worth the extra attention for all the pleasure they are to design and to feast my eyes on.

2 comments:

  1. this post was so much fun to read! again, i don't understand all the plant names, but i finally got the point of your post. i get it: rearranging the furniture! that makes sense, and it's something i like to do every so often to "mix it up"--with furniture, that is, not plants. unless you count my potted silks resting upon my furniture! (loved the beautiful photos, and the angel wing is divine!)

    ReplyDelete
  2. mlm: yeh... i really like to rearrange the furniture in my house as well. it is a great way to freshen up the look. it works the same way in the garden with portable containers. it is a simple way to perk up a spot or two in a hurry. love the angel wing undercolor and leaf design too.

    ReplyDelete

Have a blessed day,
Meems


September 2010

Back Garden: October 2010

Louise Philippe: Antique Rose

Tropical Pathway