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Tips & Ideas

10 Self Watering Herb Garden Ideas

May 20, 2019 by Helen Allen Leave a Comment

Self-watering herbs save you on herb related expenses. You can also plant your herb garden to stock those herbs you rarely find in the stores. Besides, when stressed, the fresh scents produced by the herbs can offer an excellent atmosphere for meditation. However, with self-watering herbs, you have to endure many watering sessions to prevent the herbs from drying out. Here are ten self-watering herb garden ideas.

1. Countertop Herb Garden -Gardenista

With this type of garden, you need a pot and about five plants. You have to ensure that only similar plants go together. For instance, plants that require drier conditions should go together while those that need wetter conditions should get planted together. You can then place the herb garden on any countertop especially in the kitchen or your study room as long as the plants have access to plenty of sunshine. You also have to continually trim the herbs so that they don’t become bushy.

2. A Pallet Herb Garden-The Kitchen

A Pallet Herb Garden-The Kitchen

Pallets have many uses, and interestingly, they can serve as a kitchen garden. This project can make a good do it yourself self-watering herb garden because you only need a pallet, soil, herbs, and water.

3. Tin Can Herb Garden- HGTV

Tin Can Herb Garden- HGTV

With the tin can herb garden, you can utilize all the aluminum tins that would have otherwise ended up in the dustbin. You can do it yourself on a lazy day or even include your family during planting. All you need are the tins, plants, a bit of soil, and a watering can.

4. Mason Jar Herb Garden- Camille Styles

Mason Jar Herb Garden- Camille Styles

This plant garden by Camille Styles is natural to put up and maintain. For the project, you require mason jars, wooden board, nails, screws, paint, brush, soil, and the herbs to plant. Ideally, the herb garden design is such that the mason jars containing the herbs hang on the wooden board. The garden is not only beautiful but also gives you the pleasure of plucking herbs outside in your garden.

5. Wooden Basket- Country Living

Wooden Basket- Country Living

You can transform that wooden box or basket lying idly in your bedroom or garage into a kitchen garden. You don’t have to keep making trips to the market to fetch fresh herbs while you could grow them inside your house or outside. For this DIY, you should make sure that you plant crops with similar requirements of sunlight and water in the same basket for ease of management.

6. Tea Tin Herb Garden- Apartment Therapy

Tea Tin Herb Garden- Apartment Therapy

You can assemble all matching tea tins to make a herb garden instead of disposing of them. Only one plant should go into one tin. Also, ensure that you put some few pieces of rocks at the bottom of the tins to enhance drainage. Better still, you can drill holes through the tins to act as drainage.

7. Chalkboard Vertical Garden – Williams-Sonoma Taste

Chalkboard Vertical Garden – Williams-Sonoma Taste

You can do the project yourself, or you can buy a vertical chalkboard themed planter for indoor gardening. However, as you plant your herbs, make sure that the ones that require less water are placed at the top while those that need higher water intake should go to the bottom of the planter.

8. Self-watering Wine Bottle Planters- Little Projectiles

Self-watering Wine Bottle Planters- Little Projectiles

This lovely idea by Little Projectile is easy to start and maintain. All you need is to cut wine bottles and use the top part for planting. Ideally, you should fill the bottle with soil and ensure that a string hangs at the center of it. Once you grow your herb, dunk the wine bottle with the neck down into another jar filled with water. The string used is meant to draw in water into the soil. It is one of the most manageable planters as you only need to fill the jars with water regularly.

9. Upside Down Herb Garden- Persephone Magazine

Upside Down Herb Garden- Persephone Magazine

You can convert the coffee and other tins into a DIY piece of art while at the same time using them to grow herbs. As you set up your tins, you have to ensure that they cannot leak or you can place them in areas that aren’t prone to damage from leaking. You can set the tins with the planted herbs over curtain rods, kitchen sinks, and ceilings as long as they get plenty of sunshine. The tins should also you can be placed within reach for ease of watering the herbs.

10. Fabric Wall Pockets- The Kitchen

Fabric Wall Pockets- The Kitchen

If you have limited space to put up your kitchen garden, then you need not to worry. You can quickly grow your herbs in sewn canvas pockets that you can hang on your walls. For this DIY project, you can utilize your old or unused canvas fabrics to come up with the pockets. Then you should fill each pocket with soil and grow your crops.

Summary

There are just so many ideas of how you can easily grow your herbs at home. You, therefore, don’t need to keep rushing to the fresh market while you can have your herbs within your reach. There is nothing as comforting like knowing that your family feeds on organically grown herbs grown right at home. You can utilize anything from the old baskets, boxes, pallets, fabrics, to the wine bottles to grow the self-watering herbs at the convenience of your home. The good thing about such projects is that there is one perfect for those with different house conditions such as large windows, larger countertop, or even a spacious kitchen garden.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas

10 Best Hydroponics Herb Garden Kits To Grow Indoor All Year Long

May 10, 2019 by Helen Allen Leave a Comment

Hydroponics herb garden kits are a clean and comfortable way to grow your own herbs in your home all year round without having to put much effort into it. As the herbs are fed via nutrient-enriched water, there is no need for soil, so there is no dirt or fuss involved in the growing process at all.

So here is the list of the 10 best kits for having your own herb garden at home, and remember no fuss, so you are already on to a winner.

1. The Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Herbal Garden kit

It is a classic among hydroponic herb garden kits and provides with plenty of herbs for your money. Indeed the AeroGarden was the kit that launched the whole trend in the first place. There are now several variations sold by Miracle-Gro, including a version where you can control it all via wifi.

Yet this about the original version, and still the best kit to get you used to the whole concept of producing a herbal garden in such a way. The AeroGarden will even remind when you need to put the LED on or if more feed is required.

2. Hydrofarm Emily’s Garden hydroponic system

Now the Emily’s Garden system has actually been on the market for 25 years now. This system does not have any lighting with it making it suitable for outdoor as well as indoor use. It comes with 6 planters and a 2-gallon reservoir, so there is the capacity to grow strawberries and veggies as well as herbs.

The parts for the Hydrofarm are generic and readily available online or from your local gardening store. The seed kits are relatively common, so you have free range as to what you grow using this system. Should you decide that you need extra lighting that is not an issue as any LED hydro phonic lighting set will fit with it.

3. EcoPro Indoor Hydrophonics Grower Kit

This kit is designed to do the same things as the AeroGarden at a fraction of the cost, and it does achieve that. It is a no-frills hydroponics kit that will allow growing your own herbs. It has space for 8 pots (you provide your own) and comes complete with a water pump.

The lights allow you to grow things in it all year round even in the winter. The kit is well suited for novices or also showing children how to improve things. It is ideal too if you only have room for a small indoor garden.

4. Click & Grow Smart Urban Grow Kit

This kit from Click & Grow is not technically a hydroponic system as you will provide water and light to the plants and not nutrients. However, it does work in similar ways, so it made sense to add it to the list.

The Click & Grow system uses technology initially developed by NASA in experiments to grow plants in space. That technology means that this kit uses less electricity and water saying that it is cheaper for growing plants. It is also effortless to use.

5. The Drip System

It is based on a really simple idea. A timer determines when nutrients are dripped into the water. It is possible to put any good nutrient back into the reservoir you can be used again. Apart from setting up the system, there is no effort involved at all. The system is very economical in terms of water use.

6. Water Culture

The Water Culture system works best for growing lettuce. The system works by adding oxygen via a pump into water infused with nutrients. The oxygen-rich water is good for medicinal herbs as well. It is not suitable for larger plants as they will not get enough nutrients.

7. The Wick System

There are timers or switches in the wick system, just 2 wicks, and gravity required to slowly release the water and the nutrients to the plants underneath the system. The only effort is hanging up the system. This system does not work quickly enough to be used for bigger plants.

8. PowerGrow Hydrophonic Bucket Bubbler Kit

This system is cheap, simple and effective so really if you are on a budget. It comes with 4 5 gallon buckets each with their own lidded pots and air pumps with tubing. The buckets and air pumps mean that the plants will thrive on water, air, and nutrients. The kit is easy to set up and is of high quality.

9. The Indoor Hydrophonics Starter Kit Pathonor 11

Another simple yet reliable system that allows plants to flourish. It looks and acts like a basin enabling plants to grow without the threat of algae eliminated by the holes at the top. It is, and it seems cool too. You can grow up to 5 plants for each container.

10. AeroGarden Sprout LED Herb Seed Pod Kit

The Sprout LED kit comes with extra seed and herbs. The sprout lighting means that up to 3 plants can be grown at any given time all around the year. The LED lights indicate that the plants grow faster as well. The lights even let you know when they need turning on to ensure maximum growth levels. The growth pack contains a few varieties of herbs along with 3 ounces of the specially formulated feed, together that will provide a year’s worth of herb output from the system.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas

29 Types of Orchid

May 6, 2019 by Helen Allen Leave a Comment

1. The Brassavola Orchid

The Brassavola Orchid

Anybody that develops a liking for orchids will soon realize how exciting this family of plants is. To assist you in gaining an understanding of these plants here is a guide to 30 different types of orchids.

This white flower only provides scent from the evening onwards, and moths pollinate it.

2. Catasetum Orchid

Catasetum Orchid

This type of orchid sheds its leaves, so there is no need to be alarmed if it does this to you. There are male and female varieties of this orchid, with some being pollinated by bees.

3. Cattleya Orchid

Cattleya Orchid

It is easily the most popular type of orchid included in flower bouquets. There are many hybrid variations of this orchid; some of them appear individually in this list.

4. Cycrochies Orchid

Cycrochies Orchid

Cycrchies is a subtype of the Cattleya orchid; the male version is also known as the Swan Orchid.

5. Cymbidium Orchid

Cymbidium Orchid

This type of orchid produces smaller but more numerous flowers.

6. Dendrobium Orchid

 Dendrobium Orchid

This type of orchid produces top-heavy plants yet with well over 1000 species it is hard to give specific features for this type. Some of the most common species are yellow, white, yellow and lavender.

7. Encyclia Orchid

Encyclia Orchid

The Cockleshell orchid as gardeners also knows it. Some say it is like an octopus because of how it’s petals look.

8. The Epidendrum Orchid

The Epidendrum Orchid

Now the Epidendrum type of orchid needs to be in a great deal of light before any of its flowers bloom.

9. Ludisia Orchid

 Ludisia Orchid

The Ludisia orchid produces an appealing flower

10. Masdevallia Orchid

Masdevallia Orchid

This type of orchid will only grow during the summer

11. Miltonia Orchid

Miltonia Orchid

This kind of orchid is called the wimp orchid, and it resembles pansies. It flowers throughout spring and also summers too.

12. Lycaste

Lycaste

The Lycaste is another type of orchid that loses its leaves during the winter months.

13. Oncidium

Oncidium

Oncidium orchids are compared to dancing girls, yet you to keep them in humid and damp conditions; otherwise, the leaves will fall off.

14. Paphiopedilum

Paphiopedilum

The Lady’s Sandal orchid produces nice looking flowers as well as multicolor leaves.

15. Phaius

Phaius

The Nun’s Cap orchid is certainly one of the larger types of orchid, generally being grown from cuttings 4 foot in length.

16. Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis

The Moth’s Orchid is so much easier to say than trying to pronounce the Greek name for it. If you are new to keeping orchids, then this would be the ideal type to buy first, low maintenance but with lovely flowers.

17. Phragmipedium

Phragmipedium

If you cannot resist the urge to water orchids every day, then this is the best type for you, as it is virtually impossible to over water them.

18. Psychopsis Orchid

 Psychopsis Orchid

The Butterfly Orchid is relatively easy to cultivate as far as orchids go, so it is a bit of a mystery as to why it is not more popular than it is. You only need modest amounts of water and light for it to produce flowers for a few months every year.

19. The Vanda Orchid

The Vanda Orchid

Now the Vanda orchid is a type that needs to be well catered for to thrive. Get these if you have time to spare and want to make the conditions right.

20. Zygopetalum Orchid

Zygopetalum Orchid

These orchids when well cared for produce scent from the start of fall to the end of spring.

21. Barkeria Orchid

Barkeria

These orchids tend to produce purple flowers and originate from Mexico. Consider putting this outside as they can grow tall.

22. Coryanthes Orchid

Coryanthes Orchid

This variant is also called the Bucket orchid as the petals look like buckets, and it is a fragrant flower. It would help if you grew these in baskets to allow the stem to come out of the bottom.

23. The Disa

The Disa

Disa orchids need to be cared for differently than other types of orchid to allow to survive. It needs more water than the rest it will die.

24. The Gongora Orchid

The Gongora Orchid

The Gongora is related to the Stanhopea plant. It is a thirsty type of orchid needing to be watered frequently no matter what season of the year. They produce spicy fragrances similar to nutmeg.

25. Laelia Orchid

Laelia Orchid

The Laelia usually produces pink and purple flowers. They are almost identical to Cattleya orchids and need to be grown and nurtured in the same way.

26. Lady Slipper Orchid

Lady Slipper Orchid

Different types of orchid are covered by the Lady Slipper moniker, as the flowers all look similar to Lady Slippers. The slipper refers to the part of the plant in, which the insect gets in and cannot leave until it has pollinated the orchid.

27. Mormodes Orchid

Mormodes Orchid

The Mormodes differ from the other kinds of orchid as their stems twist differently.

28. Odontoglossum

Odontoglossum

This type comes from the Andes so are quite at home in a cold environment provided that there is enough humidity. It produces beautiful flowers in a wide range of different colors.

29. Sobralia Orchid

Sobralia Orchid

As the flowers for this beautiful type of orchid can grow large, it may be worth checking if you have enough room for these before buying any.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas

19 Vegetable Garden Layout Plans and Spacing Samples

April 29, 2019 by Helen Allen Leave a Comment

Do you hear the birds singing? Are you getting the itch to go outdoors and start your new garden project, but don’t know where to begin? Yes, there are many aspects to think about when starting a garden. For instance, what do you want to grow? Is having a visually appealing garden important? How will you protect the garden from curious pets?

Once you’ve given some thought to what type of garden you want, its time to start the fun part: planning your garden design. I have unearthed some of the best garden layouts on the internet for you to think about. I hope they help you dig in and find that perfect garden design.

1. Raised Garden Beds

Raised Garden Beds

The Raised Garden Bed design is a perfect choice for beginning gardeners.
-Uses a grid pattern to organize and scale layout.
-Each vegetable is natural to see, easy to identify and easy to reach.
-Simple to grow the same plant in several varieties

The Raised Garden Plan is easy to build:
-Build a grid structure
-Fill with high-quality potting soil or nutrient-rich compost

2. Pallet Garden Plan

Pallet Garden Plan

If you’re tight on space, growing in a small yard or closed area, you’ll want to be smart about how to make use of the limited room. It is the beauty of the Pallet Garden Plan. Perfect for smaller gardens
Uses the pallet vertically saving floor space
-Maximizes growing area.
-To make a Pallet Garden:

Gather a wooden pallet or two.
-Place it upright against a sturdy wall or inside another existing raised bed at one end.
-Secure the vertical palette tightly to the frame or another support structure.

3. The Multi-Bed Garden Plan

The Multi-Bed Garden Plan

If space isn’t an issue, then the multi-bed garden plan can be an option for the gardener who wants to grow different varieties while keeping them separate.
-The Multi-Bed Plan allows you to build a variety
-Each vegetable or flower, big or small, can have its bed!
-Think wide spaces when using this plan
-In between each garden bed, allow walking space

4. 5000 Square Foot Vegetable Garden Plan

5000 Square Foot Vegetable Garden Plan

Maybe you need to grow much food to run a business, or perhaps you have a big family to feed or have much extra space (lucky you)! This garden plan allows for creative design.

-Find the garden plan that works for you.

-Remember this can be very simple

-Be creative

5. Garden Planner #3

Garden Planner #3

This garden type layout does not waste space, and we love that. Balance easy maintenance and good design.A smart choice for the gardener who wants to grow a lot of food, but still keeps it tidy.
Think high growth and organized simple layout.

6. Intensive Garden Play for Maximum Harvest

Intensive Garden Play for Maximum Harvest

It is a fabulous layout that you may use for the Spring, Summer, and Fall garden layouts.
Can fit a large variety in one medium sized garden space.
Keep track of plantings with a simple key drawing

7. 4×4 Foot Square Foot Gardening

4x4 Foot Square Foot Gardening

Similar to the raised plan with a grid, this is a great garden design for fitting a blend of vegetables into one square space.

  • Simple design, straightforward, and easy to follow.
    -Prevents plants from overlapping and stunting their growth. We don’t want that!

8. Summer Vegetable Garden Plan

Summer Vegetable Garden Plan

This garden plan is brilliant for smaller plots. I love the clever use of the plant heights.
-Places shorter plants at the front and taller plants in back
-Includes everything from vegetables to herbs.

9. Fall Vegetable Garden Plan

Fall Vegetable Garden Plan

It can be confusing to figure out how to arrange a Fall garden I admit. However, fear not, this is an easy plan to follow that includes all the fall veggies.

     -Interesting details like a trellis for growing peas.

     -Contains carrots and plenty of greens.

10. Spring Vegetable Plan

Spring Vegetable Plan

Like the Fall Garden Plan, this has a bit of detail you’ll find interesting too.
-A great looking plan that will go well if you need to keep up a tidy garden area.
-Eye-pleasing while serving up the freshest Spring greens.

11. Auntie Dogma’s Garden Design

Auntie Dogma's Garden Design

Auntie knows things, and she certainly did when she drew up this garden plan. A beautiful garden design a valuable garden source.

12. Sobear Garden Plan

Sobear Garden Plan

A garden plan that uses a walkway through the garden. The walkway is a nice feature to enjoy and reach plants at harvest time. The program allows for plants, flowers, and herbs.
For beginning or advanced gardener.

13. The Great Small Garden Layout

The Great Small Garden Layout

A plan that offers a relatively complete layout of many varieties of vegetables.
-Slightly more challenging to read but the names are clear.
-Will fit a wide variety of vegetables

14. The Flower Vegetable Layout

The Flower Vegetable Layout

Are you a fan of flowers? You can immediately be drawn to a garden plan that blends flowers into the design.
-Places vegetables in the center where they can be changed seasonally.

  • Garden border are flowers.
    -Layout uses Sunflowers and Marigolds to protect the plants from pests

15. High Yield Veggie Garden

High Yield Veggie Garden

This one is a little tricky because there is no plan. Instead, these are tips for planning your unique garden layout.
-Enjoy the process and freedom to create your garden plan.
-Includes where to begin and pointers to help you get started.

16. Partial-Shade Gardens

Partial-Shade Gardens

Did you know some vegetables love the shade? Yes, there are a handful of veggies that do tolerate, if not enjoy, partial shade.
-Grow gorgeous greens with partial sun
-Check out our list of shade-tolerant vegetables and design plans that consider the shadier aspects of gardening.

17. Backyard Garden Layouts

Backyard Garden Layouts

Backyards are a family’s playground and weekend entertainment area. It’s where we go to enjoy a warm summer evening, play ball with the kids or let the dog out to play.
-Finding just the right design for your shared family space.
-Raised garden beds or in-ground rows, or maybe a blend of both

18. Kitchen Garden Layouts

Kitchen Garden Layouts

It’s no mystery that herbs and veggies taste their very best when they’re in season and come straight from the ground, washed off and eaten straight away. So it makes perfect sense to grow as close to the cooking as possible.
-Plant harvest outside the kitchen door.
-The layout has a pleasant selection of fruits, herbs, and vegetables that grow together like a happy family.
-Easily re-plant or swap out seasonal vegetables.

19. Companion Planting Garden

Companion Planting Garden

Growing plants together to benefit each other is at the heart of companion planting. It’s amazing to know that plants can protect more vulnerable plants around them.
-Provide protection from pests, high winds or a climbing support
– Ground cover for weeds

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas

13 Orchid Display and Arrangement Ideas

April 18, 2019 by David Rheem Leave a Comment

One of the most elegant flowers in nature, the orchid is my favorite plant of all, and I always make sure to have at least one orchid in my home at all times. If you are located near Trader Joe’s, then you already know how plentiful and inexpensive orchids can be. Because of my love for them, I would like to take the mystery away from them and instruct you in my methods for making a grocery store plant look like an expensive floral shop design.

Cultured and refined, phalaenopsis orchids radiate a subtle beauty. Found in most grocery stores and home centers, you can be found in a wide range of striking colors. Armed with an attractive container, Spanish moss, and any compelling offshoots or other plant castoffs can be used to revitalize your supermarket orchid. This process does not take very long and is sure to impress anyone you gift it to!

If you are looking for a simple, yet elegant gift idea to impress someone special to you or merely want to learn new, yet straightforward techniques for arranging orchids, you have come to the right place. I will enjoy instructing you on how to create a long-lasting arrangement that will bloom for the next several weeks.

You are enjoying gifting for Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or as an elegant arrangement for your own home!

Materials needed:

Phalaenopsis orchids
Kiwi vines (or any twigs or vines that you find visually exciting)
Spanish moss
8×8 glass cube
Clippers

I often have orchids on display at my French Garden home, especially during the summer. Orchid arrangements can be costly when you buy them from a florist, so it is very cost effective and easy to make yourself when you buy your orchid and container from the grocery store.

For my arrangement, I used an antique French pot (jardinieres), as it just brings another level of luxury and elegance to the arrangement.

How to Create a Stunning Arrangement for Your Home:

1. Gather your Materials

 Gather your Materials

Your favorite bowl, whether it is an antique or found in the corner of a shop, can be used. You will also need between 2-3 orchids, dependant on the size of your container. Orchids that have not bloomed yet and are the same color will work the best. Generally, I add a few green plants–maidenhair ferns or ivy look best.
You will also need 1-2 bags of decorative moss (natural or reindeer moss), that you can buy at plant centers or craft stores. You will also need a plastic bag to line your arrangement, as well as gravel or several plastic bags to center the arrangement.

2. Line your Container

 Line your Container

Put your plastic bag in the bottom of your container, making sure that there are no holes in the bag. Scrunch it down into your container, and then add gravel if you have it to the bottom of the bowl.

3. Place the Plants Inside

Place the Plants Inside

Set your orchids on the top layer of gravel until you have them standing upright in the position that you desire. If you need to scrunch up more plastic bags or add more gravel to position them where you want them, do so. Make sure that the orchids are upright.

4. Cover with Moss

 Cover with Moss

Use the moss for stability, by packing them all around the orchids until they are covered entirely at the top. The moss should be seen to the top of the container and packed tightly, as they will keep the orchids moist, as well as provides a pleasing view.

5. Place and Enjoy

Place and Enjoy

You can place your arrangement in light, but not in direct sunlight.
An extra tip should be that if you do not like how your arrangement looks in the spot you placed it, move it until you are satisfied! You can also swap out the container for something more pleasing.

Incredible Orchid Design Ideas

1. Orchid Species

Orchid Species

The New York Botanical Gardens display a mere fraction of the orchid varieties in the world, as there are over 30,000 naturally occurring species. If you have a chance, go to the Gardens to receive firsthand knowledge on how to care for them.

2. Phalaenopsis Chandelier

Phalaenopsis Chandelier

If you have a basket style chandelier, the phalaenopsis will always take the focus. The majority of orchids, including Phalaenopsis, are epiphytes (roots that reach into the open air to twine around an anchor, usually another tree or plant), while terrestrial orchids (such as cymbidiums) grow in soil.

3. Adaptable Orchids

Adaptable Orchids

Because orchids can adapt to their surroundings, you can be found shaped into many configurations. For example, at the 13th annual show at the New York Botanical Gardens, they had orchids formed into columns and chandeliers.

4. Orchids High and Low

Orchids High and Low

If you are ever able to visit the New York Botanical Gardens, be sure to note the orchids that are clinging to tree trunks, stems, and branches from the ceiling to the floor. Though harmless, these epiphytic will take over any available niche.

5. Orchid Design

Orchid Design

Francisca Coelho, the designer of The Orchid Show: Chandeliers, has been called the “best female gardener working under glass.” Her exhibit, which showcases “iron trees” that hold orchids in small baskets was inspired by a visit to a private home in Florida.

6. Orchids Around the World

 Orchids Around the World

The NYGB has a permanent collection of 6,085 orchids (including 2,261 taxa, a different kind of orchid) from Australia, Africa, South America, and Madagascar. The NYGB research and conserves these plants.

7. Orchid Sizes

Orchid Sizes

Interestingly enough, orchids come in several different sizes, depending on the variety. Some of their flowers can measure up to 1/16th of an inch in diameter, while some can grow to over 25 feet tall.

8. Orchid Care

Orchid Care

To care for orchids successfully in your home, you will need to provide proper light, humidity, temperature, potting medium, water, air circulation, and nutrients specific to the orchid type. It is, of course, a lot more challenging to care for a large variety of orchids in a single glasshouse.

9. Orchid Centerpiece Chandelier

Orchid Centerpiece Chandelier

One of the easiest orchids for beginners to start growing would be the phalaenopsis orchids (also called moth orchids), which are on display at The Orchid Show exhibit. This exhibit holds 500 varieties of orchids.10

10. Orchid Displays

 Orchid Displays

When you visit any sort of flower show, but especially The Orchid Show: Chandeliers, you should always be looking for inspiration for your arrangements. One thing to note would be if your orchids are going to be displayed above your heads, then they should be staked upright for a better view.

11. Orchid Shapes and Forms

Orchid Shapes and Forms

Orchids come in many different shapes, colors, and forms. Phalaenopsis orchids bloom to resemble moths in flight. Others remind us of wasps, bees, and butterflies, as well as grown to maintain traps, buckets, and various trigger methods to encourage bees and other insects to pollinate them.

12. Orchids and Other Plants

Orchids and Other Plants

Orchids can be mixed with other plants, such as ferns, lush moss, and similar plants. Baskets containing about 35 of these plants surround the chandeliers. All of these orchids were grown in New York and will be familiar to many visitors.

13. Patio

Patio

Use your patio as a vehicle for elegance and femininity by creating a scene of orchids, for a unique, outdoor showpiece.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas

30 Best Succulent Garden Ideas

April 11, 2019 by Helen Allen Leave a Comment

Succulent gardens are the fastest growing trend in plant arrangements. Often called the “camels” of gardening and greenery, succulents are almost impossible to kill. They are exceptionally tolerant of low water levels and thrive in dry environments, hardly requiring any water at all.

The plants, which come in a wide variety of species, lend themselves to any shape, style, arrangement, or combination that you might possibly have in mind. Succulents have become a prevalent option for home decoration because they are easy to grow and simple to maintain. Succulent arrangements are perfect just about anywhere: indoor patios, outdoor patios, poolsides, walkways, home entrances, in homes, or even in your office.

To successfully grow succulents, you must follow just a few simple rules. The first rule is never to overwater. Succulents do not require very much irrigation. Use only well-drained succulent potting soil.

If your planter has a limited amount of drainage, make sure that you water the plants less often and always keep them slightly dry. If you are using transparent containers, make sure to cover the roots completely with moss or gravel, because exposure to direct sunlight can be damaging to the plants.

Succulent Planting Ideas

The world of potential for succulents is enormous. There is an infinite number of options for exciting compositions, as succulent leaves vary in color, shape, and pattern. The arrangement is everything: try combining succulents with real or glass pebbles for beautiful effects. Here are just a few ideas for growing, planting, and arranging succulents into beautiful fairy gardens.

1. Mini Succulent garden in a glass bowl

Mini Succulent garden in a glass bowl

As a rule, succulents always blend well with each other, which makes them exceptionally well suited for centerpieces and different ceremonial decors. The glass bowl itself can vary in size, contributing to the overall effect. Bowls, pots, vases, or even glasses are other options for your mini succulent bowl garden.

Always remember that a bowl will not have any drainage, so be careful not to over water. It’s still best to keep the soil relatively dry.

2. Succulents in a DIY hanging pot

Succulents in a DIY hanging pot

This easy hanging succulent planter requires a tray or shallow pot, succulents, threads, and candles. First, plant the succulents in the tray. If the pot does not have holes in the bottom, drill a few to ensure drainage. Hang the tray by the threads, and you have a hanging garden of succulents!

3. Decorative gravel and succulent pot

Decorative gravel and succulent pot

Decorative gravel and a succulent pot is a splendid addition to any garden, porch, outdoor, or indoor space. Simply choose a large pot in which to plant a succulent. Taller succulents are generally better. Then plant smaller plants around the sides and embellish the final pot with pretty, decorative gravel.

4. Birdcage Succulent Planter

Birdcage Succulent Planter

Succulents are so easy to grow that anyone can grow them, and they can grow virtually anywhere. Try planting a few in a birdcage for a unique aesthetic.

5. Stonewall Succulents  

Stonewall Succulents

Succulents planted in a stone wall offer an interesting variation on the usual succulent garden. If you’re inspired by the stonewall, try even more creative planting ideas for your succulents.

6. Desert Ice Wonderland

Desert Ice Wonderland

This succulent design is an enchanting floral presentation that highlights varies shades of blue to create a cool, inspiring arrangement. Blue-tinged Echeveria peacockii plants can create an especially alluring display, although the collection can include any shape, size, and spices of plants.

7. Living Waters

Living Waters

Use large and medium-sized clay planters with differently sized succulents to give the illusion of cascading water flowing out of the planter’s entrance. This display is perfect for an outdoor setting and can be created with just one kind of succulent. Place the entire display into another garden bed for an enchanting effect.

8. Succulent Fairy Garden

Succulent Fairy Garden

A fairy garden requires miniature plants, miniature jars, and anything else that you can think of! A few candles in the tray can add to the fairy tale, the magical effect of the hanging garden. Just make sure that the tray is not hung in a windy spot, or that the candles are not too close to the foliage of the succulents.

9. Over Finnian’s Rainbow

Over Finnian’s Rainbow

Create a virtual three-dimensional effect with any color scheme you can think of and arrange the most vibrant plants around for a rainbow effect. Let your imagination truly run wild with the decoration.

10. Rolling Along with my Wheelbarrow

Rolling Along with my Wheelbarrow

If you’ve got an old wheelbarrow lying around, this is the succulent garden for you. Put that wheelbarrow to good use by filling it with a little garden center of cacti plants. All you need is the old wheelbarrow, some medium-sized pea gravel or river stones, a piece of screen or mesh to line the bottom of the wheelbarrow, and some cactus-formulated soil.

11. By the Wayside

By the Wayside

Plant a succulent garden right alongside a garden, fence, or house wall to use up space while creating a pretty design. This is perfect for either a multi-colored or single color design. There’s no watering needed—just add a ground cover of smooth stones or coral rock.

12. Wine Bottle Planter

Wine Bottle Planter

Yes, succulents can be planted in wine bottles. This is a unique style for indoor decoration.

13. The Hanging Basket

The Hanging Basket

One of the most artistic succulent planting ideas is the hanging basket. Choose trailing plants for the best hanging garden.

14. Succulent dish garden

Succulent dish garden

A succulent dish garden is unbelievably easy to make and looks great on table tops and window sills. Just take out your dishes and start planting!

15. A Florentine Delight

A Florentine Delight

A succulent dish garden is unbelievably easy to make and looks great on table tops and window sills. Just take out your dishes and start planting!

16. Cinder Block Garden

Cinder Block Garden

Many homeowners have an old concrete block lying around somewhere in the backyard. Left lying around, these can detract from the appearance of your yard. But with a little imagination, they can be turned into a stunning garden!

Place the blocks several tiers deep, add soil, and begin planting one succulent per cinder block. Add plants that hang down for a superior visual effect, and surround the intersections with other small succulents. Try painting the blocks with glitter for an extra magical look.

17. Hanging Garden

Hanging Garden

Another vertical garden, this one can be hung in balcony areas or anywhere there’s a wall. Just take a pallet frame and stock up on succulent plants (as well as other types of plants, if you wish) to create a classic hanging garden

18. Wooden Wonderland

Wooden Wonderland

With a touch of Bonsai, the Wooden Wonderland succulent arrangement is very popular among gardeners and garden visitors alike. Use dried out wooden logs, large rock formations, and a piece of the wooden deck to set the stage for this alluring arrangement.

There’s no need for a planter container. Just add your soil and start planting!

19. By a River Stream

By a River Stream

An excellent presentation for limited spaces, By a River Stream can enhance your garden visually by producing the image of a streaming river with whatever colors of plants that you choose.

The display can be planted either in full or part sun.

20. Stand and Deliver!

Stand and Deliver!

Yet another vertical garden, the stand and deliver succulent arrangement allows you to save space by using vertical planters arranged against a wall.

Vertical garden frames come in all shapes and sizes, so let your imagination run wild with the style as well as with your selection of succulent leaves and flowers.

21. The Succulent Log Planter

The Succulent Log Planter

Succulents grow just about everywhere. Try planting an arrangement of succulents in a small log for a unique free and simple organic decoration for your home.

This exquisitely designed succulent garden wall decor is a living piece of botanical art. The wooden mainframe can be painted with matching colors to the wide selection of plants and colors to form a vertical garden wall.

22. Up Against the Wall

 Up Against the Wall

Dudleyas and Sedums, in particular, are easy to grow from plant cuttings and even easier to maintain.

23. Sea of Glass

Sea of Glass

The Sea of Glass is particularly suited for a medium-sized space in the backyard where several paths lead to different beautiful glass containers. Large-sized rounded river stones can form one backdrop, while larger sized coral rocks from other contexts leading to the glass-accented decor.

Insert anything literally in the succulent family! Blue glass jars and blue colored stones can enhance the look of the sea of glass.

24. Blue Strawberry Fields

Blue Strawberry Fields

Take a large-sized ceramic or terra-cotta strawberry jar container, preferably glazed or painted some shade of blue, and plant one or two succulent plants in smaller jars inside to cascade foliage like blue strawberry fields—without strawberries, of course.

25. Meditation Walk

Meditation Walk

The meditation walk can bring out the creative side in everyone. Border a walkway with large-petaled, fully grown succulents, and it will feel like it leads to a secret somewhere. Large, flat stepping stones add to the effect of the path. Feel free to add other greenery between stepping stones to modify the overall effect.

26. Hole-in-the-Wall

Hole-in-the-Wall

Wooden pallets can form an outstanding, eye-catching wall design when adorned with different colored plants. Just fill the openings with potting soil and choose succulent plants that match your decor scheme.

27. Vertical Madness

Vertical Madness

Believe it or not, an old wooden fence is a perfect spot for a nursery. Line the surface of the wall from top to bottom and add wooden or metal shelves, which you can find in any garden supply center. Then plant any succulent species you can think of (or that you can see).

Vertical madness is an excellent option if you’re a little bit short on garden space.

28. Out-of-the-box Garden

Out-of-the-box Garden

Take an old (or new) wooden create and convert it into a master garden! First, line the bottom of the crate with aluminum foil, wax paper, or old newspapers. Then, fill the container with cactus potting soil and plant away to your heart’s content.

Not everything inside your out-of-the-box garden has to be a succulent! The arrangement can be placed on a table inside or arranged with others outside in your garden.

29. Rack Against a Wall

Rack Against a Wall

Continuing with the theme of vertical gardens, if you have an old piece of wood pallet lying around your yard, this a perfect opportunity to use it and create a unique, rustic style decor out of your pre-existing garden space. This can be a backdrop to decorate a plain wall or fence in your yard.

Holding the wood up vertically, line it with wax paper or aluminum paper. Then fill it with cactus-formulated soil and hang it up against a wall or a fence. Garnish with your preferred choice of succulents.

30. Skyscrapers in the Sun

Skyscrapers in the Sun

If you’re interested in designing a dessert theme, this succulent garden is the design for you. Add high-rising spiny cacti, a rock backdrop, and a few palm-like leafy plants to create a little dessert. The best part is that these skyscrapers require very little water.

Filed Under: Tips & Ideas

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