Living Centerpieces
Insider's Garden : Episode TIG-103 -- More Projects »
Arrangements made from cut flowers fade quickly, but living arrangements last longer and may also be re-planted in your garden after displaying them. Here are a few inspirational ideas for creating your own living arrangements:
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Figure A
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Figure B
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Figure C
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- Featuring the graceful Phalaenopsis moth orchid, this dramatic living arrangement mixes the colors and textures of orchids with curly willow branches and succulents (figure A).
- Try combining plants with varying heights to create added dimension as seen in this arrangement of wheat grass, curly willow, and paper (figure B).
- For a touch of color, consider a small arrangement of African violets (figure C). Low-growing plants like the compact African violets (Saintpaulia sp.) do best in bright, indirect lighting. African violets are one of the most common indoor flowering plants, and with such colorful blossoms and lush foliage, it's easy to understand why. To create this arrangement, line a wire basket with mood moss, fill the container with some light soil, and position about five, 4" containers of African violets in the center. Carefully water the plants with warm water at the base and avoid getting any of the leaves wet.
Brighten up a windowsill with a miniature window box of pansies and bacopa (figure D). To make your own miniature window box, line the bottom of a rectangular galvanized container with gravel. Because there are no drainage holes in the bottom of the container, the gravel will help keep the moisture from damaging the plants. Fill the container with soil and begin planting the pansies from the center, working out towards the edges. Make sure to loosen the roots of the pansies before planting, and tamp the soil down around the flowers once they have been positioned in the container. Place the bacopa plants on both sides of the pansies, and allow the tendrils of tiny flowers to drape over the edge of the container. Fill in the remaining spaces with soil, and tamp down to remove any air pockets. Water the plants, and place the container in a sunny window.
For a centerpiece with a lot of visual interest, but not a lot of height, use low-growing succulents like this dragon's blood in a decorative, copper tray (figure E). Simply line the tray with gravel, and cut a strip of the succulents to fit the tray. Place the succulents on the gravel so if you unknowingly overwater the plants, the roots won't be sitting in the water. This living arrangement should last a few months. When you are finished with the display, divide up the plants into containers or plant outside.
Resources information on interior landscaping
Plantscape Industry Alliance
Website:
www.piagrows.org
containersSmith & Hawken
Website:
www.smithandhawken.comcenterpiecesMark's Garden
Website:
www.marksgarden.net Also in this Episode
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