Decorating With A Twist - Hanging Baskets And Coconut Shells
The fact that hanging plants look well dangling down from hanging baskets or wall brackets is obvious. Plants and containers should be harmonious with each other and with their setting. But the wide variety of hanging plants available is not so well known. From pendant begonias to fuchsias, ivy geraniums to fiery-flowered columneas, verbena to the "basket miniature" orchid cacti, you have a wide, wide choice of sizes, colors, textures, and contours. There's nothing to keep you from leaving the beaten path and growing something new and different.
You have a wide choice of baskets, too. The standard, utilitarian wire and wood variations provide an unobtrusive, natural background for flowers and foliage. Plants like them because they allow air to reach the roots, but you may not like the way they can drip water on the floor.
If you choose more decorative containers - ceramic or fine metal - make sure that, after watering, the roots aren't left in a puddle of water. Or take a potted plant out of its basket for watering, let it drain on the sink, and return it afterward.
You can also create your own unusual baskets by attaching hooks and chain or wire to all kinds of unheard-of objects like coconut shells, bowls, teakettles, strawberry jars, lanterns, gourds, fishing reels, well or butter buckets, scooped-out gnarled roots, garden hats, earthenware jugs, antique Chinese wall vases. You can also add low voltage outdoor lighting to see its beauty in the night.
Shop for curios like Mexican burro muzzles made of natural hemp. Or answer the advertisement for "adorable little wooden buckets, nine by five inches, suspended from chains." Or see how well some delicate plants will do in the plastic-lined strawberry basket with nearly automatic watering, supplied on order by one specialist. There is no end to the variety of hanging containers, ready-made and ready-to-be-made, available at your florist or house-plant supplier - or at thrift shops, country auctions, and other bargain sales.
You have a wide choice of baskets, too. The standard, utilitarian wire and wood variations provide an unobtrusive, natural background for flowers and foliage. Plants like them because they allow air to reach the roots, but you may not like the way they can drip water on the floor.
If you choose more decorative containers - ceramic or fine metal - make sure that, after watering, the roots aren't left in a puddle of water. Or take a potted plant out of its basket for watering, let it drain on the sink, and return it afterward.
You can also create your own unusual baskets by attaching hooks and chain or wire to all kinds of unheard-of objects like coconut shells, bowls, teakettles, strawberry jars, lanterns, gourds, fishing reels, well or butter buckets, scooped-out gnarled roots, garden hats, earthenware jugs, antique Chinese wall vases. You can also add low voltage outdoor lighting to see its beauty in the night.
Shop for curios like Mexican burro muzzles made of natural hemp. Or answer the advertisement for "adorable little wooden buckets, nine by five inches, suspended from chains." Or see how well some delicate plants will do in the plastic-lined strawberry basket with nearly automatic watering, supplied on order by one specialist. There is no end to the variety of hanging containers, ready-made and ready-to-be-made, available at your florist or house-plant supplier - or at thrift shops, country auctions, and other bargain sales.
About the Author:
Keith Markensen frequently contributes to http://www.plant-care.com. Ready to roll back the confusion low voltage outdoor lighting.
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