Special Planters for Special Events

Saturday, December 11, 2010 03:45 AM

Almost everybody enjoys receiving flowering plants for an occasion or perhaps you want to treat yourself. Sometimes it is hard to just choose one plant or perhaps you are looking for something a little different. Mixed flowering containers may be just the thing you are looking for.

They are a container that holds a combination of flowering plants as well as tropicals and can have added bows, and other adornments to add to the festiveness. The nice thing about these floral containers is that they can last for weeks, months, or years if given the proper care and maintenance.

Another nice perk is that you can customize it and choose your favourite plants and colours and if you want to change it, it is not hard to do.

They can be purchased already made, or you can make up your own.

The first thing you need is a decorative container. It should be at least 30-40 cm in size and 18-20 cm in height, so that you can fit several small plants in it. The container does not need drainage and it might be better if it does not have drainage holes if you are placing it on furniture as you do not want the water to run out. (You can always line the container with plastic to prevent any moisture from draining out.) Anything can be used for a container, and some of the more popular things are wicker or willow baskets, ceramic/clay or plastic pots, but really anything can be used.

The next step would be picking out the plants. When choosing the plants, you need to keep in mind where the container will be placed, and how much light it will receive as this will dictate what plants to choose. You want to pick plants that have the same light requirements.

When picking the plants place them in the container and see how they fit. Tall plants in the middle or back and the lower or trailing plants along the outside edges. How many plants to choose will depend on the size of the container.

You want to make sure that the top of the pot containing the plant is not deeper than 2 cm below the outside edge of the floral container so that the plant itself will receive adequate light and air circulation. You can always raise the pot by adding some rocks to the bottom of the container.

After choosing the plants, they can be placed into the container. The plants remain in their own individual pots as this allows each plant to be individually watered and when you want to change them around because one has finished blooming or outgrows its spot, it is done easily and does not disturb the other plants.

For a finishing touch, sphagnum moss is spread over top of the soil on the pots so that the pots are hidden and it gives the planter a complete look. An added bow and ribbon, cones, berries, sparkles can be added at this point if you wish.

The advantage to this type of planter compared to a planter where the plants are taken out of the pots and all planted together in one container is that now you can choose plants with different watering requirements and it is easy to change a Christmas planter to a Easter planter, or any other kind by taking out the poinsettia and adding an easter lily, mum, etc..

If you prefer to have a planter with all the plants taken out of the pots, make sure that all the plants require the same conditions, such as cactus, and succulents, or terrariums.

Flowering containers are another great way to add colour to the home and make a welcoming gift for anyone including yourself.

-Jos

Jos Van Hage owns and operates two Art Knapp Garden Centres in Prince George:

Highway 16 west at Kimball Road

Highway 97 North at Northwood Pulpmill Road

Previous Story - Next Story