Art in Bloom

I did my demonstration at the Art Gallery yesterday, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. My theme was containers; I was free to present whatever I came up with within that parameter. I was excited to participate, and happy my topic had plenty of roads I could travel down. Container gardens have become one of my passions. I wanted very much to share; some of the roads less traveled, get people excited about the possibilities, and find their creative juices.
I had no idea what I would do, and seasonally, the plant material choices were near absolute low. That was ok, it was the concepts not the finished product I wanted to feature. I wanted to do something artistic, and I need inspiration. My time is limited, so there would be no leisurely browsing for ideas; I needed some found object to inspire me. I headed to the Sally- Anne and fond a number of wire baskets that had possibilities, and I picked up a wonderful brass watering can. Possibilities but I was looking for inspired, so it was time to do the circuit. I have a line up of thrift, and non profit stores I haunt of late.
Surprise, surprise I found a matching brass mister to my water can, and more wire baskets. I like the wire; wicker rots out in a year, so I shy away from planting it. Still nothing that has grabbed me. I was hoping for some big leaky bucket, or water can, an old wheelbarrow, the good stuff, but without much luck.
It was a couple of weeks before I spied something. Persistence is happenstance’s best friend at the junk stores. I came across a chair; it had the most amazing chrome, as shiny as any gazing ball. I didn't know what I could do with it exactly, and have learned not to buy unless you have a plan. Who needs clutter? I left the chair to think about it. I had already visualized the chrome in the garden, paired with a gazing ball, it nagged at me, happily it was still there when I went back. I really had to have by this time.
I picked up my partner at work, full of enthusiasm for the shiny but otherwise hideous aberration wedged into the back seat of my little sports car. He later admitted his inner dialogue, that I was quite mad. Hmff. to the naysayers, he changed his tune when he saw the finished product.
I tore off the game room theme fabric, to reveal a mostly plastic frame, a huge bonus that would make things very simple. I was able to use the seat as is, and easily replace the wood from the backrest with wire. I planted sedums, hens and chicks, and thyme’s, securing them with chicken wire and moss. It took most of one day, as I did it at the store while working. It was lots of fun watching people’s reactions, and curiosity. At the beginning people were skeptical, but as it progressed they began to think it was a great idea. I was thrilled; it made me smile, although I am often my own best audience. I hauled my creation to the bus stop directly in front of the store for the last hour of the day. Good times, perhaps, I am mad?
The chair was a hit at the Art show; I met lots of wonderful people. I finally figured out something to demonstrate. I brought along my wire baskets, and planted those; they turned out well, and were quick and easy to show the technique for wire and moss. The surprise of the show was the interest in my hanging herb planter. I was pressed for materials to put in a moss basket. I had pansies, but that is usually a fall thing. I had succulents, but I used those on the chair, and my old holey hole shoes. Herbs were my only option, so I embraced that, they were drought tolerant, a bonus in hanging baskets, and people have renewed interest in food production, perfect. It turns out I had no idea my instincts, "necessity the mother of invention" would go over so well. I think I will be making herb baskets this week, oh and looking for more chairs.
It turns out I had a good eye for shiny objects, my chrome, it was pointed out was very collectible and likely a rare piece by a Canadian furniture manufacturer in the 60's. My $1.29 chair I struggled whether to purchase was worth about $1,0000 at auction. Opps, I am too happy to feel bad, it looks great, and I look forward to watching it fill in this season. It will be a nice feature at the store.
I have pictures posted at the link http://artfulgardener.blogspot.com/

statuary arrives

The statuary arrived this week, Spring and the bedding season can only be around the corner.

New pottery has arrived!

I brought in concrete planters in a First Nations style, they are stunning. They have an amazing sense of weight, and calm, and will be perfect in a west coast theme garden.

The new pottery has arrived, phew, that makes for a couple long days! I am very happy with the glazes, especially the new green. The pictures don't do it justice, they are mottled a in a gorgeous chocolate color that gives a tortise shell like effect.

Art in Bloom

I will be doing a demonstration at the Victoria Art gallery, for the Art in Bloom event. I hope to see you there.
http://aggv.bc.ca/art_in_bloom_2008_splash.aspx

Amaryllis, I have loved

It's that time of year, Amaryllis, Paperwhites, and spring forced bulbs are for sale. Many of us have received or admired an amaryllis bulb over the years. It is one of my favorite things to give a child at Christmas. It seems many adults are afraid of them, what to do, how do I do this, but children they understand,... it's magic. A bulb of this heft, will produce something spectacular, it will be stunning, and it's gonna be huge, lets plant it now! Easy!
I will share with those of you who don't know magic, the tale of my foundling bulb. Once upon a time many years I noticed a strange leaf had appeared in my window box. It was a single thick glossy strap leaf, vigorous and healthy, but what could it be? It was not one of the resident petunias, yet it had a cultivated look about it, I couldn't imagine how or what this wee volunteer could be. I would watch and wait, what else could I do but let it's mystery unfold. My small charge continued to flourish, but was in no hurry to give up it's secret. The petunias did what petunias do, the summer slipped into fall, and as I stripped the boxes of the spent flowers I nearly savaged my forgotten friend. Admonishing my carelessness, I apologised with an affectionate pat, it looked both cheery and forlorn standing alone in the box. I peeked at it through the window on occasion, it seemed to show no signs of succumbing to winter, funny little thing, whatever it was. It did go dormant, finally forgotten, I missed the event.
I planted the boxes next year without any thoughts to my missing fledgling, until there it was bigger than ever, and just as happy. Such was our relationship for the next three years. This persistent little plant with it's perky personality thriving away. It had it's place one end of the planter. I kept one eye on it. It had become clear it was a bulb, and that was going to be big, but still I had no good guess what it was. I knew many things it wasn't, it didn't look like anything else.
Year four, it comes to me, out of the blue, I know what it is. It's an Amaryllis. Amaryllis don't grow here, do they, it sure looks like one, it can't be, how did it survive winters, how did it arrive in my planter. It's big enough, I don't understand, but I am sure I am right. This year I give it it's own pot. I am stunned by my big bulb, still it doesn't bloom. It grows, it's a strapping specimen of something. This has always been it's charm, it's saving grace, what kept it from being weeded . It's no longer an interloper in the petunias, it's my new ....., rare and exotic, special, special, something or other? What if it's not hardy, how do I winter it, what should I do, I don't know how to look after an exotic bulb, what if I kill it, should I bring it in, it survived before, it's so big won't it freeze. Mercifully I just forgot it as was our arrangement. I don't think I was prepared to make this decision.
Year five, it is fine, it has survived. I have become quite taken with my friend, and in fact moved it as precious cargo to a new house while it slept. I think as reward for anticipating it's spring emergence, instead of the " hey your still alive" routine, it bloomed. I had grown from seed, ( that's my story, and I can tell it as I like), an Amaryllis. A special, like never before seen hardy outdoor Amaryllis, I am quite the expert gardener. I loved this plant.
It was a force. It multiplied, it divided into new bulbs, it stayed in leaf all winter, each year it threw out more flower spikes, it was a show stopper. Did I mention I grew this! One year it had fourteen spikes. I took it to work!It bloomed in spring, big luxuriant pink blooms, it was magic. Everyone was very impressed, it was very impressive, it was our secret. I loved this plant It happened that I remembered where it came from...I think. I had an Amaryllis, it bloomed and I had neglected to remove the flower spike when it was finished. My mother in law was over one day and insisted on tucking the seed head into a house plant, because I am expert gardener, I knew better...hmmfff. I remember the "it won't grow", and her saying you never know, I always stick things in my plants. I have avocado's, orange trees, and a lychee nut, it's fun, you wait and see if something comes. I plant them and forget, maybe you will get a surprise. I suspect I killed and composted the house plant, then used the compost to ammend my boxes. I got more than a surprise, I got several lessons, a relationship, and a journey.
This season give a gift of wonder to a child on your Christmas list, consider an Amaryllis bulb. They will know exactly what to do with it, plant...and wait.