Ivy Centerpieces
Centerpieces with generous helpings of ivy are simple, elegant, and inexpensive. It comes in a variety of leaf shape, size and color matching almost any decor. Perfect for tablescapes, here are a couple of nice examples.
March 9, 2007
Patioscapes
Patioscapes are arrangements of plants, pots and other materials into an integrated design on a small outside area such as a patio. These can be formal or informal, have a range of themes such as desert or rainforest, and be quite low maintainence.
A good way to start designing is with a photograph of an existing landscape such as the rainforest below. Then extract out the main elements of interest. For example:
1. the ferns rising up in levels to the wall,
2. a relatively large elevated trough supported perhaps by pots and containing other plants, such as orchids,
3. a small shaded niche containing a small water feature and sheet moss.
These materials are easy to obtain, hardy and relatively inexpensive, and the composition is practical. They are essentially a type of landscape hydroponics. For more information on hydroponic gardening Click Here!
January 7, 2007
Growing Myrtus communis
Having talked about the history of myrtle and the use of plants in the family Myrtaceae in arrangements, I have had a few questions about growing it.
Particularly in the Mediterranean the plant is regarded as a symbol of love and peace and is used in wedding bouquets. The late Princess Diana had some of Queen Victoria’s myrtle in her own wedding bouquet. A Welsh bridal bouquet usually contains myrtle, and the bride gives to her bridesmaids a cutting of myrtle to carry in their bouquets. Welsh tradition holds that if the bridesmaid plants her myrtle and it blooms, she will soon marry.
Myrtle succeeds in any reasonably well drained soil in a sunny position. It is hardy so long as it is sheltered from cold drying winds, but can be damaged by late frosts. It is moderately fast-growing when young but soon slows with age.
There are a number of named varieties:
- ‘Tarentina’ with narrow small leaves is hardier than the type and is especially wind-resistant.
- ‘Microphylla’ is a dwarf form.
- ‘Leucocarpa’ has white berries.
To propogate, pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow it in late winter. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
December 7, 2006
Costa Rica’s Heraldry
Two branches of myrtle close the coat of arms of Costa Rica representing the peace of the Republic. A white ribbon joins the branches, the title “Republica de Costa Rica” (Republic of Costa Rica) is imprinted in golden letters.
The Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.), from the family Myrtaceae (myrtle family) has leathery leaves and an aromatic and refreshing smell somewhat reminiscent to myrrh or eucalypt; although the taste is strongly bitter. The strong presence of aromatic oils is a common throughout plants of the Myrtaceae.
It is a very large family, poorly represented in the Northern Hemisphere, but very well known in the Southern, particularly Australia. Many members of the family are prominent in floral arrangements.
The sub-family Leptospermoideae contains the genera Leptospermum. A white or purple flowered plant seems to be referred to by florists as ‘wax’ and used as an up-market ‘filler’ in place of Baby’s Breath. In Australia it is known as the tea-tree and occurs abundantly on the edge of dry rainforest vegetation. Its probably called tea-tree because it makes a passable tea if you have run out of the real stuff. Another member the Melaleuca is also known as the tea-tree.
Acmena (the “Lilly-pilly”) is a very proiminent shrub in northern coastal rainforests recognizable by its berries. Berries play a big role in floral arrangements though I one’s I see (in San Francisco) are not familiar to me.
Finally the most well known group in Myrtacea is the eucalyptus. A distinctive Australian genus and characteristic of the family rich in volitile oils, eucalyptus is also a major filler in floral arrangements.
November 26, 2006
Born in 1492
Many decorative plants we know today come from the Carribean. Christopher Columbus found the people of the Carribean cultivating bromeliads and subsequently took them to back to Spain.
Columbus wrote in his journal:
A thousand different sorts of trees, with their fruit were to be met with, and of a wonderfully delicious odor. It was a great affliction to me to be ignorant of their natures, for I am very certain they are all valuable; specimens of them and of the plants I have preserved.
Chamaedorea or bamboo palms and their products are used extensively in the floricultural and horticultural industries and come from Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica. These are excellent for indoors, some supplying rich greenness and others an elegant sparceness with their undulating upright stems.
Prior to the 1950s, cycads (Zamiaceae: Ceratozamia, Dioon, Zamia) had been exploited as popular as ornamentals due to their beauty, rarity and toughness. Although many cycad species are exported by Mexico, countries such as Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. All cycads are regulated by CITES, which has encouraged their horticultural production.