Pages

Tuesday 11 March 2008

The "stump" planting

I was just thinking about containers to use this year when Jodi of Bloomingwriter is writing about them too .. I added a comment to her post talking about terra cotta containers and what a fan I am of them. That I soak them before planting up and also line the container with plastic bags with holes for drainage .. it keeps them from drying out so quickly which really helps me out because I drive myself crazy trying to keep up with everything plus the garden. I swear I will only plant dry tolerant annuals like Portulaca http://www.veseys.com/ca/en/store/annuals/portulaca These guys are so "hardy" they seeded themselves between our patio bricks and pop up every year now .. I haven't the heart to pull them out.
This "stump" was a yearly planting .. always blue lobelia .. and for added flare .. mushrooms from the compost .. simple yet it was always an eye catcher coming around the corner .. everyone who saw it remarked on it being such a pretty little surprise to see. Sadly .. the stump fell apart eventually, but it had a good life with many fans of its simple natural flare.

12 comments:

Priscilla George said...

I love the look of that stump! Maybe you can try to recreate something along the same lines with drift wood.

Aunt Debbi/kurts mom said...

I am going outside right now to find a stump to use like that. Very cool

Linda said...

What a lovely stump planter that was .. keep on the lookout for another stump.

Melanie Chopay said...

Joy, I have three stumps after last weeks wind stomrs, where would you like me to deliver them?

Catherine said...

Your stump planting is adorable!! I planted a stump last year~it was a big beautiful oak tree at the front of our porch..for over 20 yrs. I had hostas planted around it, & would plant forget me nots and impatients in the summer...but it was dying and two years ago Hubby cut it down, leaving a massive stump that was hollow ..so I planted it with hens & chicks. & petunia's..it gets a lot of sun now! I love blue lobelia ~One of my fav.'s because of the wonderful blue's & spreading habit! I grow lots n lots of lobelias in my greenhouse every spring from seed..or I would spend a fortune on the plants..can never get enough of them! :)
Loving your gardening site..we have so much in common!
Have a great week!
Cat

Shady Gardener said...

Not only is it a good idea, it's very artistic!!! ;-) Gives me one more thing to think about!

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Hi guys .. my stump is a star here ! LOL

Shady .. I am very fortunate to have a hubby that has brought lots of drift wood and stumpy home for me .. he must have an artistic flare too ?

Hi Cat .. thanks for stopping by ! .. I am amazed at some of the intense blues that they have been breeding with lobelia .. talk about eye catching .. I wish I had room to do you my own starter plants .. I bust my budget every year with my garden .. but hey, this habit is not so bad compared to other ones ? LOL
Yes ! .. Hen's & Chicks ! you can plant them in the worst conditions and they thrive : )

Melanie .. bring them 'on ! .. but help me push out my fence too please .. need more ROOM !!!! haha

Crafty ... I'll have hubby on a stump alert when he goes fishing this year for sure !

Debbie .. let me know what you find .. and what you plant eh ?!

Vanilla .. yes ! I have driftwood in almost every section of border .. I have a weakness for it !

Frances, said...

Hi Joy, that is a stunning planting in the stump! Great artistry.

Frances at Faire Garden

Robin's Nesting Place said...

The blue lobelia is beautiful in the stump; a perfect combination.
Last year I read that you could wet newspaper and line planters with them to help retain moisture. I liked that idea and will try it this year.

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Hi Robin .. that is a great idea as well ! .. anything that can retain moisture and not be too noticable is a wonderful advantage to keeping the plants happy.. I'm going to have to find another stump ! LOL

Hi Frances ..it is funny how even the simple things become so pretty .. I loved the mushrooms when they sprouted .. it just seemed to add a bit of flare to it all : )

Anonymous said...

I wish I had saved some of my stumps--that is such a good idea. I like the color combo too. I skipped on down to answer and didn't read everyone's post--but have you tried Sunbini by PW? It can stand the heat and then some.

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Hi anna .. I'll be on the look out for that one ! .. we have a hard time getting a lot of varieties here .. rather restricted .. but I'm a good plant hunter ! LOL