Filler, Spiller, Thriller

Thank you Sun Gods. It's finally time to start designing container gardens. Here are a few simple rules to guide you: Think one filler ( a plant that fills the base of the pot), one spiller (that's pretty obvious, it's a trailer), and one thriller (something with height and a captivating bloom or killer foliage).

For this pot I used a bunch of plants I found at Fred Meyers. Filler--Bergenia cordifolia. Great, shiny, full foliage. Spiller--Saxifraga 'Winterglut'. This may not be the perfect choice, but it works so well in rock gardens and the red bloom was a perfect compliment to the purple-red in the Bergenia foliage. I'm hoping it will have enough spill. Thriller--White Cosmos. Not normally a thriller, but  all white should do the trick.  ~ Rebecca

Sweet Courtyard

I do think good things come in small packages--like this lovely little courtyard I stumbled upon in the Greenlake Neighboorhood last week. ~ Rebecca

Details, container garden

Hooray! Hooray! My mind has always been in the trash and now some plants are there to join me. Thank you groovy Seattle garden people.--R

Plastic potted plants, Fremont

...and a yellow flag. Somehow this works.--R

Holiday Decor with twigs and leaves

 

 I was thinking about how I love using red twig in my seasonal decor and I went on-line and found this new blog, Dirt Simple, and these gorgeous pots. I'm going to try and do a variation on this theme. Stay tuned--Rebecca

Dietz Design. STAT landscaping job.

A few months ago I got a call from a couple. "We are having a baby shower at our home in two weeks and the entryway is a post-remodel pile of dirt...Help!"  Dietz Design to the rescue.  Here's what we did: Day 1: Thanked God that the husband was doing a bunch of the labor, also convinced him to call some stone guys and have them install the patio.  Day 2: Took wife to the retail plant store and figured out her plant palette on the spot, had clients select pots they liked online. Day 3: Picked up pots, told husband to purchase topsoil and prep the planting beds. Days 4 and 5: Patio installed.  Day 6: Planted small garden and several pots. Two days later--the party.  "911" landscaping-- I love it.  Rebecca

Summer annuals, Bryant.

Sweet pots on a sweet porch.--R

Rosita's Restaurant. Before and After.

Here are  before and after pictures of the container garden I planted at Rosita's Restaurant in Greenlake.  In two months the ornamental grasses will be taller and the lobelia will be spilling over the edge. This garden will look great by mid-summer.--R

So many pots, so little time.

This week I'm going to share photos from last week's landscape design adventures. I love my job.

On Monday I went on a field trip to the wholesale pottery store--AW Pottery in Lynnwood. AW has a great selection of pots and garden accessories. I purchased pots for two clients and scoped out the merch.  Hot tip--fiberglass and orange are in.--R

Pots for Colleen

Sometimes you just need to mix it up. Grass and Iris, why not?
--R

Sedum on the table

Super easy container garden that you never have to water. Use the dish that you would put under a pot, add some dirt and your favorite sedums. That's it.--R

Trees and container gardens

Anything can go in a container garden. Trust me.
I have a MLA--R

Colleen's Place 5 months after installation. Madison Park, Seattle.

K.C. and I went back to check on Colleen's garden 5 months after installation. For the most part I am happy with it. The walkway and stairs we designed look good and are easy to use. The plants are filling in. Some of the pots need updating and I would like to add more ferns into the garden bed. Well Done Dietz Design.

Bonnie's Front Yard. Byrant Neighborhood.

I met Bonnie last week on one of my many walks
around the neighborhood. She was in her front
yard wearing shorts covered with paint. I thought
she looked great, but she was too shy to let me
take a picture. Oh well...done front yard.

Mr.McGregor's Urban Garden

Peter Rabbit visits Phinney Ridge.

Presently, Mr.McGregor planted his

lettuce out of reach in his gutter.

The lettuce is always in his view....

Love Beatrix.

Great Composition, Seattle

Yes, it's a classic.

Pots in the House, Magnolia, Seattle

Perfect balance.

Hosed, Seattle

Put that hose in a beautiful pot.

Cool Concrete: Take 303, Seattle

Well Done Concrete Work. -R

Smokin'Pot: Heuchera and Evergreen, Seattle