A gardener finds inspiration in some local art to create a show-stopping container display

well-chosen Monday GPODers !

We ’ve seen an compartmentalization of fabulous garden retrospective over the geezerhood , but I cogitate this entry infract the mold . Last class , Tatyana Searcy in Washington created a container display so unique and exciting that it deserved its own public eye . With the assistance of some local talent and experts , she was able to create a garden focal point that became more and more wizardly as the grow season went on . Tatyana graciously gave us an in - depth verbal description of how this container video display was created and maintained , as well a terrific compartmentalization of picture that document the evolution from empty artwork in March to end - of - season delectation in September .

This is Tatyana Searcy ( @tatyana.mysecretgarden – my IG account ) , and my garden is located on the Kitsap Peninsula in the United States Department of State of Washington . The garden was previously sport on the GPOD in 2013 and 2019(Tatyana ’s Garden in Washington State , Tatyana ’s Blue Poppies , Tatyana ’s Gazebo in Winter , andA Front Bed Looking Its good ) .

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Today , I ’d wish to partake one of my garden containers from 2024 .

This container was the favorite among my open garden visitors and my personal favorite too . Monthly pictures below show how the plantings looked through the season as well as how the metal sculpture looked empty .

The facts that the planter does n’t have solid walls and moss dry up quickly required regular watering and haze over . I ’m very conscious about piss economic consumption in my garden . Thoughtful manipulation of water in other portion of my garden made me sense better watering this special container several time a calendar week .

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This year , I might seek to maturate different plants in this structure . wintertime is a good clip to dream and programme !

The rusty alloy carving is the creation of the gifted local artist , Ray Hammar ( BlueCollar Art Work ) . It is a with child slice on its own . It is all made of repurposed metal : an honest-to-goodness auger , inter-group communication of a 100 plus year old marine Sir Ernst Boris Chain , a smoke ’s band and a railroad car ’s wheel lip . Chain links are welded to a sphere . Upper part of the firmament was taken down and gear up on the pedestal ( car ’s wheel flange ) to create a freestanding bowl - planter .

We obtained the 6 feet metal sculpture from theCrazy Hill Garden & Botanicalsin Belfair , WA owned by Michael Kerkes and Elton Busby . Michael thought about filling it with plants while it was display at their nursery , and I like that estimate too , so we ended doing that exciting task together ! Michael , a Certified Professional Horticulturist , provided his extensive knowledge and experience , and I selected the plants and the potting commixture .

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The cognitive process protrude from the bottom and went up : trace walls with soaked moss , append potting mix , then inserting plants ( repeat till the sports stadium got full ) . Slow - released fertilizer was added to the potting mix and some smaller plants were lend through the bowls ’ opening later . One of the thing I learned from Michael Kerkes while work on this projection was not to foul up the theme balls to a fault to prevent dissimilar plant ’ roots from tangling up . It helped to disassemble the plantings when temperatures went down and sore plant needed to be moved to our unheated service department .

I did n’t make a special shopping misstep to buy the plants for this project , but used what was already in my garden . Some of the plants came from my favorite nurseries and others from our local plant barter . The plantation owner location seemed to be pretty honest for the plant I had : it faces east , produce forenoon sun and a bit of good afternoon Lord’s Day , and it has the rest of the daytime in bright shade .

fill the plantation owner was done in late May . It was fun to see the plants produce , bloom and take go as a mavin in that mythological structure . All the plants grow considerably and were healthy . Little unfearing fuchsia starts developed tall stout stems and gorgeous multiple blooms , golden genus Lysimachia ( creeping Jenny ) reached the background , ferns turn to beautiful luscious mounds , petite Viburnum plicatum in a 4 - inch pot adopted at a plant life swap became a two - foot nice associate . There were no casualty , all the plant survived . The only issue was slugs that managed to climb several fundament to love flame nettle leave . It was exciting to see Modern beautiful liquorice fern ( Polypodiym glycyrrhiza ) appear and pass around on the stodgy walls of the bowl ( moss was responsibly reap on a private property ) .

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The variety of the plant life , most of which are foliage plants , included :

A close up of the bowl planter give a salutary feel at the moss used to contain the soil . While the moss has a practical use , it also adds to the overall beauty of the blueprint .

In July , the planters were really filling out and burst with all of those fab leafage plant . It ’s absolutely unbelievable that Tatyana was able to get out this together with plants she already had in her garden .

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And closes ups of both half of this display . While clearly unlike in the plant used , there is a sure coherency of the foliation - centrical designs . It also made the overall display more exciting to see unlike plants above and below , rather than exactly matching .

It ’s a testament to Tatyana ’s maintenance that the exhibit looked this souse and abundant in August ! The plants have filled in and trailed out so much that it ’s even strong to see the baskets they ’re plant in .

When in the ground , lots of people run to cut off back hosta prime to encourage more leafage growth or simply because their often floppy stature does not flux with the rest of their design . However , when planted in a container ( like theH.‘Curly Fries ’ Tatyana has here ) the flowers can add some additional later - summer colouration while conflate perfectly with other plants develop up and out .

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By September , the plant life have all but taken over the metal sculpture that once drew your middle to the innovation . While bolshie started out as a minor accent color in June , it has taken over and become the signature tune colour of this compounding . The bright violent coleus had an astonishing growing season while the fearless fuchsias had in the pot are finally putting on their floral show .

The openness of this carving allow for for 360 - degree persuasion , meaning the back side of this container presentation is just as exciting as the front .

What a shift over the course of five calendar month ! We all know that a lot change in the garden from May to September , but it puts it all into a dissimilar perspective when you perfect in on one container , area , or just one plant in particular . While this planting was as as awing in May , it ’s enchanting to see the organic evolution that took place .

mature container plantings in July

give thanks you so much for share this striking container creation with us , Tatyana ! The design is so captivating , I ’d suppose it was slip straight from a botanic garden or art facility . It ’s unmortgaged why this creation was a your darling , and adore by all of your visitor .

Have a garden you’d like to share?

Have exposure to deal ? We ’d love to see your garden , a particular collection of plants you love , or a wondrous garden you had the opportunity to visit !

To submit , send 5 - 10 photos to[email   protected]along with some data about the plants in the pictures and where you take the exposure . We ’d love to hear where you are located , how long you ’ve been gardening , achiever you are proud of , failures you learned from , hope for the future , best-loved plant , or funny stories from your garden .

Have a fluid phone ? Tag your photos onFacebook , InstagramorTwitterwith # FineGardening !

empty metal plant containers in early spring

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mature container plantings in July

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close up of container in August

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