#potplants Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Andrea Whitely Garden Consultant

The historic fountain in Carlton Gardens-the centrepiece of the display gardens and sculpture exhibition

We all need to look at other gardens and the work of other people to get the creativity bubbling away again every now and again…so this year I jumped on a plane and headed east to attend the world-famous, marvellous Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.

Victoria is known in this country as the Garden State of Australia and I was most impressed with the design work on display created by Victorian-based landscape students, professionals as well as the superb blooms perfectly presented by the floral industry. Such brilliant creativity on display for thousands of visitors to enjoy.

This is a costume made entirely of flowers

The boots on this creation were made entirely from cineraria leaves

March is always a lovely time to visit Melbourne, cool crisp mornings, mostly sunny days and mild evenings made longer with daylight savings (something we don’t have in Western Australia). It was also buzzing with excitement and lots of rev heads were checking out the Formula One Grand Prix which takes place around Albert Park Lake each year. A great time to visit this wonderful city, steeped in history.

Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show takes place at the historic and stunningly beautiful UNESCO World Heritage-listed Carlton Gardens and Royal Exhibition buildings. The day we were there, the sun was shining and the trees were starting to turn in the park, a fabulous setting for a walk through the show.

Sit back and relax…it’s time for an armchair view of MIFGS-Australia’s best-known garden show where thousands of people flock each day to check out the incredible floral art and inspiring garden designs.

Sunshiny yellow blooms-is that a banana I see?

An Instagram moment here’s proof that I was there.

a parasol entirely of everlasting flowers

The stunning artwork and floral creations combine for an oooh ahh moment for my friend Lis

another shot of this amazing bee created entirely of flowers

A very long wedding table-each place setting created by a different florist

This was fascinating-so many florists participating in The Wedding Table

A really fun display paying homage to Australian home life

The landscape designers displayed their artistic talents at MIFGS, providing inspiration for those starting a new garden, renovating an older one or people like me, in the horticulture industry seeking a shot in the arm of new ideas. There were so many snippets of brilliance.

I loved the way that the displays were executed, not a single black plastic pot to be seen.

So much interest in such a small space

Sculpture featured throughout the show, this reminded me of something I saw at the LA Arboretum in 2015

Each display garden was clearly explained with these information sheets

Step through the circle…

Love this up-cycled fireplace-repurposed for outdoor use-what a great idea!

My absolute favourite designer garden-imagine your feet in the rill on a hot day while enjoying a long lunch outdoors

So many sensational ideas, so much talent, so much diversity of plant material…as we headed off back to the tram for the trip back to my friend’s house my feet were aching and my head was spinning! I am officially re-inspired!

…and finally…have you ever wanted to grow 6! different apples on the one tree?

In a rush of blood to the head, on a sunny Saturday afternoon, you hop in your car and drive to the nursery and you purchase a new plant for say $20 and you buy some potting mix and a pot-your total investment is say $60….it’s a nice pot…run with me on this.

Move forward five years and that pot is still sitting in the same spot, the plant is now pretty tired because the soil you purchased 5 years ago is devoid of any nutrients and apart from a splash of water every now and again has not really had much attention.

Imagine this if you will, your beau purchased a stunning bunch of fresh flowers for $60 for you on that same day…5 years later would you still be looking at that bunch wondering why they weren’t looking so hot?

Nothing lasts forever as they say……

Plants represent really good value when it comes to decorating your home both inside and out and there’s an opportunity for us to re-think the way we use containers around our gardens here in Perth.

Stunning succulents at the New York Botanic Garden

Specimen Plants

Have you ever wanted to grow a plant that will not work in your garden because of the soil you have or the conditions would not support it? Then planting that plant into a container and being able to nurture it more than you would if it were in the ground is a great idea. You can make a stylish statement with a specimen plant. Blueberries work best in pots in Perth and if you are desperate for an Acer (Japanese maple) a pot in a shady spot is what you need to grow one in our hot part of the world.

Check out this Acer in a pot at Coach Vince Dooley's in Athens, Georgia — Check out this Acer in a pot at Coach Vince Dooley’s in Athens, Georgia

Short on Space?

If you have a small garden then large pots into which you can plant many plants is the way to go. You don’t just have to plant one plant in a pot, try planting say three or four different things into one pot. How about a grass in the centre to give it height, something spilling over the edges, and something filling the middle section? How about combining some edibles and flowers.

You can easily have more than one plant in a pot

What a wonderful statement in the garden

Seasons change why not your pots?

If you have pots or urns at your front door, they do not have to stay as they were planted in the beginning, consider changing them seasonally. Adding new annuals to an urn will really spruce up the main plant you have in that container.

Check out the colours in this container — Check out the Autumn colours in this container

Trendy Succulents

You probably remember going to visit Nanna and seeing some of the plants that you can find en trend now. Succulents are easy to look after, they require very little water and can be planted out into nearly any type of container, even an old china cup, a boot or any vessel with a hole in the bottom. The trick is not to over love these plants with too much water, water is the enemy for these treasures, treat ’em mean.

Cacti and Succulents in containers always look great these ones were spotted by me in New York

Add some Magic

One of the hottest trends in the USA right now is the Fairy Garden and I’m not talking just cheap, tacky $2 shop garden gnomes, though that’s available for sure. There are really stylish iron fairies and decorations for your pots, why not check out your local garden centre or gift shop and see what they have. It’s going to be a hot trend here before you know it too-be the first of your friends!

A touch of whimsy makes this container extraordinary

Show ’em some love

If you have plants in containers they will need a little more care than something in the ground.

Top up the soil with some mature compost every now and again even just once a year should do it
Pop a tray underneath to keep the water at the root zone on hot days
Add some Liquid Fertiliser from time to time
Don’t overwater-try the finger test first-if the soil is moist-hold off on the water
Move them around if you need to, take them out of the hot sun in summer and into the sun in the winter

Container planting can be really rewarding, fun for kids too so, if you have a small space that needs a splash of colour (and yes green is a colour) get out there this weekend and pot away!

Tag: #potplants

Design Inspiration at Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show

Let’s Talk About Containers