Vibrant boxes, alive with colour, will transform a simple windowsill into an eye-catching display of flowers and foliage — from inside and out.

Troughs laden with flowers offer a bright and cheerful welcome Read the rest of this entry »

Seed pans, wicker baskets and basins make ideal homes for small plants. Choose these containers for succulents and seaside plants, which won’t mind if the shallow soil dries out from time to time on hot sunny days. Read the rest of this entry »

Capture the spirit of autumn with a clourful harvest of decorative fruit and vegetables. Choose inedible varieties you won’t be tempted to pick, and enjoy this display on chillu autumn days. Read the rest of this entry »

The term ‘bulb’ includes corms, rhizomes and tubers — all of which store food beneath the ground during periods of drought and dormancy (see box, far right). They are mostly associated with spring, but the autumn-flowering plants in the main arrangement on the facing page grow from corms. Read the rest of this entry »

Suspended anywhere from a door to a tree, baskets of flowers have an old-fashioned appeal. But with the right plants and container, the hanging basket can have a place in even the most modern of settings. Read the rest of this entry »

Transport yourself to another land with displays inspired by foreign influences. The oriental look is well suited to containers, since it uses few plants and limited colour. In pots you can also create the perfect conditions for exotics that would normally be unattainable. Read the rest of this entry »

A beautiful bonsai deserves a beautiful container. The container completes the image started many years before as a seed or cutting. The tree was acquired by the artist, designed, trained and nurtured until it was ready to be planted into its final show pot, resulting in a serenely beautiful image of a bonsai.

The container of a bonsai has been likened to the frame of a picture; it is the finishing touch that makes a good tree an exceptional bonsai. It is more than this, however, as it is also the home of the tree and so needs to provide an environment for the roots that will ensure healthy, vigorous growth to maintain the health of the top parts of the tree. Read the rest of this entry »

It is very important that a balance is maintained between the top parts of the tree and the bottom parts. This means that the volume of the canopy should be similar to the volume of the roots. If the roots of the tree are heavily pruned while the canopy is left alone, the tree will not be able to supply enough water to the top parts of the tree and it will get badly dehydrated, the tree will wilt, some branches may die and, in the worst case, the whole tree will die. Read the rest of this entry »

A combination of half coarse river sand, silica sand or fine stone chip (2-4-mm particles) with half good-quality compost is a suitable general mixture. The proportions can be adjusted slightly, depending on the area where you live. Read the rest of this entry »

Repotting is a stressful event in a tree’s life, so it is best to repot when the disturbance will be kept to a minimum. This is usually at the end of the dormant season, just as spring is arriving. At this time the tree is bursting into growth using reserves stored through the winter and is therefore able to repair damage quickly and make full use of the new, fresh potting environment that it finds itself in. Read the rest of this entry »

Bonsai can be displayed in other ways as well. The most commonly seen alternative method is to plant the tree on a stone or slate slab to give the viewer the impression of a tree in a wide open space. Read the rest of this entry »

If you will be growing your trees inside there are some considerations to bear in mind. The environment inside a house or office is quite harsh for plant life. It is often much darker than it is outside; the light coming in through windows is very directional; the air is much drier (less humid); there is very little air movement or there are uncomfortable drafts coming through doors and windows; and levels of pollution, from smoking, fireplaces and kitchens are often quite high. Read the rest of this entry »

Bonsai will thrive in a semi-shaded spot that is exposed to a couple of hours of morning sun each day. Try to avoid the hot midday and afternoon sun. A light, airy environment is best for growing trees in, but do not expose them to the cold, dry winds that blow inland, or the drying, salty wind along the coast. They also do not do well in dark, damp corners of patios where there is too little light and all sorts of pests and diseases can breed. Read the rest of this entry »

This fern has slender black stems and delicate, triangular green fronds, which shiver in the slightest breeze. The leaflets are pale pink when young and develop to a pale then dark green. When the plant matures, clusters of brown sporangia (spore sacs) appear on the undersides of the leaves. This fern can be used to soften a display or can be placed on its own. Read the rest of this entry »

This plant acquired its unusual common name because some growers plunge the entire container into hot (not boiling) water at the beginning of spring to encourage new growth. Achimenes have slender leafy stems bearing flowers at their tips. The flowers, with long tubes and velvety petals, bloom in midsummer and come in rich and vibrant colours, as well as pale pink and white. They are ideal for hanging baskets but also look impressive in ordinary containers. Read the rest of this entry »

When going on holiday, either for a few weeks or a long weekend, it’s best to ask a friend to water and feed your plants while you are away. Clearly explain the watering and feeding requirements of your plants and group those with similar needs to avoid plants being forgotten. Read the rest of this entry »

CERAMIC

Ceramic containers have a definite place in the home and there is such a wonderful selection from which to choose.

From the East has come a fine assemblage of ceramic containers, many of them decorated with ornate and intricate designs. These are quite expensive but most of them can be regarded as works of art due to the high standard of workmanship and quality finishes. This also applies to the work of local ceramicists, whose products are on display in many nurseries and garden centres. Many have flower motifs, but there are also those that are more plainly decorated, and thus suitable for a larger selection of plants. Read the rest of this entry »

House plant containers are legion and, although they may at first appear to be expensive, they are a worthwhile investment as a permanent asset in the home and as an inherent part of the decor.

Many materials and substances have been brought into use in the making of plant containers and pots. Apart from those available in shops, householders delight in finding something different and unusual for holding their plants. Old preserving pans and kettles of copper or brass, cast-iron pots and ceramic dishes are just some of the articles that can be used to make interesting containers. Read the rest of this entry »

The delicate root hairs can take up only a certain amount of water from the soil and this is sentup through the stems to the leaves. Theroot hairs also need air to function properly and if the air between the soil particles is replaced with water, then the roots will soon rot and die. So, even though it is tempting to show your appreciation for your indoor plants by giving them extra water, this will only do them more harm than good. Read the rest of this entry »

Good soil mixture should provide nutrition and support to the roots, and should allow the roots and water to move freely through it, yet at the same time retain enough moisture for the plant’s needs.

Note: Ordinary garden soil is not suitable for pot plants as it compacts easily and usually contains weeds, pests and diseases.

Soil is the easiest factor to manipulate and, to make it even easier, there are ready-mixed potting soils available which are suitable for most plants. These have been formulated to contain the correct amount of nutrition as well as to be of the right consistency. Also available are commercial mixes to suit particular types of plants, for example, an orchid mix or an African violet mix. Read the rest of this entry »