More ways to accessorize landscaping
This is the enjoyable and challenging set of ideas for accessorizing your landscape. These are ways of planting in interesting and eye-catching ways by planting in various unusual containers.
A very common way for an accessory is to turn a keg on its side as though it fell down. The enhancement to this is to use it as a planter. To do this, first prop up the open end with rocks to allow drainage of the water used for the plantings. Make sure that there is an opening at the low end to allow the drainage. Perhaps there is room between slats. Otherwise you will need to drill a hole for that purpose. Then prepare the planting area by either lining it with plastic or add a paint or varnish layer. Once that is dry, add potting soil and plants or seeds. Perennials or annuals can be used. Water and enjoy your unusual planter.
Similarly you can make planters out of old tool boxes. Fishing tackle boxes, old sewing boxes, and other large rectangular, square or round containers. With these you must provide the drainage and do the water proofing method. Any of these can be used in its upright position or in a tipped position. How would it look best to you?
It would provide different looks to place small containers in appropriate areas. Our teacups and coffee mug handles sometimes become detached from the rest of them. Wouldn't these look cute! I picture the teacup in an English type of garden. It could be upright on its saucer or lying on its side with the saucer propped up by it. To provide drainage it would probably be necessary to use a small plastic plant pot inside. Similarly the mug can be used. Other possible similar items can be bowls of various types and sizes with drainage provided. The easiest way would be to use the small, plastic plant pot cut down to the right height and hidden with plant parts.
An interesting other container would be old boots or high-top shoes, one of the pair or both. Again, drainage and waterproofing would be helpful. A plastic plant pot would work as the better holder for the plant. If the boot or shoe would not be used again (probably the case), a hole can be cut in the sole or the side whichever would be the “bottom.”
Use your imagination for other containers. Baskets are good and can be lined with bowls, shallow planters and plastic plant pots depending on shape and size. Always remember to provide sun as required, water drainage, and waterproofing if the container needs it.
A container water garden could be another addition. A decorative, shallow container with a drain hole should be used. Fill the pot with small rocks and add water halfway up the sides. Many plants can be placed in their original plastic pots. Place the potted plants on top of the rocks. The floaters can be placed on the surface of the water after filling the container the rest of the way. These could be water hyacinths and/or parrot feathers. The potted plants could be plumbae taro, creeping jenny, ribbon grass, and any other plant that can have wet roots.
Use your imagination along with things on hand. Of course, you can also get new containers to work with anything in your landscaping scheme.
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Pecan Grove is having an open house from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Main Library, 2951 S. 21st Drive. There will be a drawing among those in attendance for a 35-gallon desert willow tree. Frank Saldana, certified arborist with Arbor Tech, will answer any tree questions. Come meet our friendly garden club members, enjoy refreshments, and talk gardening with people who love to garden. Club members will be having a plant exchange at the meeting. For more information, call Willene Calvert at 782-7324 or Barbara Bensel at gbensel@tds.net.
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Yuma Garden Club will participate in Earth Day on April 22 by holding a special tree planting ceremony honoring the following members: Mary Lou Milstead, Marilyn Thornbury, Dorothy Weidner, Trudy Gauntt and Karen Bowen. With the help of our city arborist, Dave Faires, and his expert team, a tree for each honored member will be planted at 11 a.m. at the Heritage Library, 350 S. 3rd Ave.
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Beverly Peterson is a member of Yuma Garden Club and a Master Gardener. She can be contacted at ptrsnbvrly@localnet.com. Members of the Federated Garden Clubs of Yuma write articles for this column.
