Friday, June 30, 2017

One plant, different pots

The bistro set in my front garden has been a place to display succulents and various potted plants over the last few years.  Mostly I just set them out in the spring and bring them back indoors before the first freeze.   Not a bad way to show off assorted plants and pots.


This year I wanted to take things up a notch.  First step was to gather vintage white clay pots I've collected for years.  Plant choices were next and that's the biggest change.  Instead of rooting and potting up different existing plants, I started fresh with a single Micron Holly (Ilex vomitoria 'Gremicr') in each of the six larger pots.  Micron Holly is a tiny-leafed variety of native Yaupon Holly and perfect for this application since Dwarf Yaupon Holly already grows well in my shady front yard.  Deer resistant, low water once established, and cold hardy which means I won't have to carry them indoors this fall.  Mature size is 1-2 ft. tall x 2-3 ft. wide so they'll not outgrow these pots for a while.  

A few succulents from last year have found their way into the mix while smaller pots are training Rosemary topiaries which will need larger pots as they grow.  Having the same plant in the larger pots gives the area a much more pulled-together look and my vintage pot collection shows up better.  Now I need to find a place for all those other pots!

Since this is the last Friday of June, I'm linking to Danger Garden to feature Micron Holly as my favorite plant of the month.

18 comments:

  1. Very nice! Thanks for the inspiration. I've been thinking I need to pot up a few more plants--some strays in the garden that would look nice in pots. Your display is warm and welcoming. :)

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    1. Especially nice to hear as this is the view from the front walk as guests approach the door.

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  2. The unified look of the second picture is very appealing and does show off your pot collection nicely. Now, where will those other tender plants show up in your garden?

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    1. Sounds like another post idea. Right now they are in shady pot ghettos. I have plans to add shelves to the deck.

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  3. I like your white clay pot collection! And kudos for including the actual cultivar name for the holly in addition to the marketing name!

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    1. When it's a new introduction I definitely give both names. When the plant has been in local gardens forever I'll just give the common name.

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  4. Oh yes! I love the new look. Those pots are elegant and let the plants really shine. Like Peter I'm wondering where the plants that didn't find homes in this new display will pop up...

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    1. When I first started collecting them, a few of my sources were surprised because they saw them as outdated and old.

      I'm finding places on the deck and in the shade for now.

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  5. You've done a great job at pulling your collection together, Shirley. While I've approached some of my own plant collections with the same intent, a lack of discipline has prevented me from achieving the cohesive result you have.

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    1. I have to decide and apply an idea like this all at once or I will get distracted quickly.

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  6. That's a good idea, and maybe you get more use out of your bistro table in cooler weather anyway?

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    1. We've never really sat there, it looks good empty in the winter as well.

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  7. pretty before, of course, but prettier & more of a focal point now...and what's this about a birthday? belated greetings!

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  8. Pots are so difficult for me to manage. Plants here always seem far happier in the ground. You seem to be much better at it--those arrangements look great!

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  9. What a nice collection of white pots. I have three of them. It is such fun to run into them here and there. I hardly see them any more. Your display is quite good. It seems more formal with the little hollies.

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