Blog
Shine On: Tropical Container in a Hamptons Garden
What makes a garden shine? As the climate is changing right before our very eyes, and stymieing our senses with its brutality and extremes, the bloom time is fleeting and lacks its good old stamina. Here one minute and gone the next: so how to make our garden shine without the dependability of our wildest garden schemes…or even our most well-thought-out ones? Introducing elements that are not dependent on Mother Nature seems to be the way to go. Gazing balls are OK but perhaps too much a conceit for me. That old deception of Garden Mirrors...
read moreIron Trellises Worthy of Passion Vines
By Dianne Benson, author of Dirt: The Lowdown on Growing a Garden with Style I have not yet met any single plant — let alone a vine — that is as awe-inspiring and heart-stopping as a passion vine (Passiflora). Passiflora passion and trellises If I had the pleasure of living in a climate hospitable to growing these exquisite creatures in the ground — I would have many more varieties than the four I now proudly boast. But my four are just heaven…as they should be, given their highly graphic, if not religious significance (stamens are...
read moreVacation? Hire Terrariums as Plantsitters for Your Houseplants
By Tovah Martin, author of The New Terrarium Terrariums as plantsitters So, you’re headed off on vacation. The suitcases are packed, your neighbors are all lined up to fetch newspapers, and the retriever is headed for doggie camp. But what about your houseplants? Let’s face it – when it comes to plant duty, most housesitters fizzle, fry or forget. Try terrariums when your houseplants are home alone By clustering your plants inside terrariums placed in indirect light (that’s the critical part), you can give them a generous...
read moreValentine’s Day Gift!
Valentine’s Day Gift! A glass terrarium is a fool-proof Valentine’s Day gift for the gardener, child, and even those allergic to the garden in your life! When you give the gift of a terrarium, it’s always a custom design! There’s the “from-the-heart” factor. Talk about giving something that’s personal –a terrarium is like a piece of living art. Your instincts and these design tips will combine to make a memorable piece. Valentine’s Day gift terrariums come in all shapes and sizes. You could go for a glass...
read moreTerrariums with Heart
You said it with flowers (and they wilted the next week). You said it with chocolates (and all she did was gain weight). Now it’s time to find a more lasting way to express the fires of your passion for that special someone. How about expressing all that he/she means to you in a terrarium? Romantic mementoes for a terrarium That’s right, collect all your happiest memories – the ticket stubs to the concert where you met a few pine cones from the hike you took together the ribbons from the gift she gave you a golf ball from...
read moreNasturtium Combinations For a Trellis and a Planter — Edible Flowers
By Charlotte Germane, Editor of H. Potter Knowledge blog 2010-2011 All plant photos courtesy of Renee’s Garden Nasturtium Display on Your Trellis Beautiful when bare, this trellis and copper planter will be your own dazzling garden statement when you add your favorite climbing and trailing plants. Place this trellis and planter near the dining table on your patio or deck. Then choose edible plants, and all through the warm days ahead you and your guests can pick edible flowers to add to salads. The nasturtium is a popular edible...
read moreHoliday Terrariums: A Video of Decorated Wardian Cases
By Charlotte Germane, Editor of H. Potter Knowledge blog 2010-2011 Sugar Plum Terrariums Seven talented gardeners, who happen to be well-known garden writers, created holiday terrariums this year using H. Potter Wardian cases. Enjoy their creativity in this video of the holiday terrariums! Watch our video, then come back for details about those festive Wardian cases. Terrariums Designed by Garden Writers Presenting our wonderful terrarium gardeners, in order of appearance on the video: Patty Craft is Publisher &...
read moreTerrariums for Kids
By Tovah Martin, author of The New Terrarium Terrariums are kid-size So, it’s been raining for two solid days and the kids are climbing the walls. Or it’s steaming hot and no one wants to go outside. Or you’d like a nature-based diversion for your tween, to break the obsession with staring at a screen. Try terrariums! Instead of a screen, they’re windows on nature. As far as kid appeal is concerned, they have it all. First, they’re compact. Kids love small worlds. Remember your dollhouse? Or trollhouse? You were drawn to it...
read moreRoasted Peppers: Mediterranean Side Dish from your Garden for Outdoor Dinners
By Patti Bess, author of Vegetarian Barbecue Peppers from your garden Balmy September days finish the ripening and sweetening of peppers. H. Potter’s copper urn is the perfect place to grow a variety of peppers on the deck or amidst the flower beds. How to roast peppers Roasted peppers are great flavor enhancers for just about, well, so many things. Many cookbooks recommend cutting them in half to roast, but grilling them whole makes peeling so much easier. Set aside in a bowl, covered, until cooled, and they will continue cooking. That way...
read moreThe Elusive Wardian Case
By Kylee Baumle Growing plants in a bowl or any kind of enclosure is a look I like. So when I was visiting Longwood Gardens and I spied a small Wardian case for sale in their gift shop, I didn’t hesitate in purchasing it. But there’s more to that story… The Case of the Elusive Wardian Case Mom and I were on one of our gardening adventures, and while she had visited Longwood Gardens a few years before, she wanted to go again and knew that I would want to see them too. So before heading back home, we drove to Kennett Square,...
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