Decoration ideas?

[Kathy in GA]

Need help!

Okay on the other side of the front yard We have an island of trees.
4 clumped together with a big whole in the center. and two about 4 feet away. Although these two still look like they are part of the island.

I call it an island because this whole area is raised naturally, and has it's very own natural form around the trees.

In the center of the 4 I'm going to plant a Sago Palm pup., and on the two caddy corner outer edges I've already planted two Holly ferns.

Now this is what I'm wanting to add. A couple other different types of fern. and a few hostas, verigated with white.

Do you think this will be toooooo much greenery? In one spot? I was thinking about having Pink Mandeville climb up the trees.
Or scratch the Pink Mandeville. What about Red and green Caladiums there?

Really do need some ideas. I'd like any ideas! What can I use for more color? Don't want to use garden flowers. I'd just like this spot to be very formal looking. It's near the front door.
Got any ideas? I'd love to hear them!
Thanks
Kathy in Ga.:confused:

[Judi K.]

Kathy, how about a yard ornament of some kind. A statue maybe, or even a large urn with flowers and a trailing plant to hang over the side? I just love yard decor. It can really add to the area with whimzy or spirituality, what ever tickles your fancy.

Also, there are a lot of colors of green- blue-light-dark.

I think the varigated idea is good too, mix in.

Just a thought!

Judi

[Kathy in GA]

Hi Judi,

What a wonderful idea!!!!!
I'd love to have a statue there. I might have to make it.
I'm thinking a woman in a dress holding a flower basket, in one hand and then in the other hand a little boy (wearing nickers) and high socks, holding his MaMa's hand.

I've also gotten an idea from a good friend about using Wisteria, at the trees. A statue would look so lovely next to the wisteria!!!

About making the statue? Would ceramic work? Once painted and fired it wouldn't chemically alter the state of the garden would it?
BOY do I have some wonderful wonderful ideas from you both!!!!!!
I'll have to share pictures of this garden with the board when I'm done!!!!!
Be about a month or two.
Thank you, thank you!
Kathy in Ga.

P.S. I agree about yard ornaments. they are so pretty, and do add class flair imagination, serenity. Never had any yard ornaments before, thinking about it; it's silly that I haven't!

Hypertoufa would be way to hard to do that design huh?

[Judi K.]

Never thought about making the statues. I'm not very knowledgeable about ceramics. All my yard ornaments have been recycled from yard sales and curbsides. I have a freind who does ceramics, I'll ask her.

The mother and child sounds like a big undertaking to make and fire. Have you ever done ceramics? You might consider a bird feeder too. It sounds like a wonderful haven for them.

Just like a true gardener to worry more about the plants than whether the ceramic will withstand the elements.

I have a wisteria that i'm training to be a tree. Just started it last year. Finally kept the guys in the family from mowing it. It's the most durable plant I've ever seen. Nothing has been able to destroy it. Not even the dogs (if you know what I mean). I love it's burst of flowers in the early spring


Have fun with it

[Kathy in GA]

Hi Judi,

Well, haven't done alot of ceramics but have done a few things. About 10 of them. It's nothing that I've ever woked diligently on. Just here and there over the years when I'm looking for something different to do.

Is quite fun, just not big on it. A bird feeder is a good idea.
hmmm. Haven't thought about garage sales. That's something to look into. I might be able to find something really neat!

Need to Expand....Get a little more creative with yard ornaments!
I've used natural wood borders, and things like that. But this spot needs more!

You've gotten me on the right path! Thanks!
I'll bet your wisteria is pretty. How tall did it grow in 1 year?
I've always wanted to Braid one too. Just need to take the time to do it!
Still Loving the Garden World!
Kathy
P.S. Thanks again for all the great ideas!

:D

[Judi K.]

The poor thing should probably ten feet, however, I guess it's lucky to have reached about 4. Of course I've trimed the ends often to keep it compact.
I just hope I get a bloom this spring.

My favorite ornament is the urns that overflow with plant material, I have found three of the big ones at yard sales. I think you have to be a passionate gardener to make these work and most of all to manitain them. I think the average Joe gets tired of them and they become an eyesore-----That's ok, more urns for me.

Have fun

[Ray]

Kathy,

I have a similar situation. Clumps of trees, nothing in the middle. I was thinking of a sugar kettle with lantana around. I've got my eye on a sugar kettle at a local plantation house and the grounds keeper has told me if I ...."can haul it I can have it" about alot of stuff, but I haven't gotten the nerve to ask him for it yet. They retail for a couple hundred bucks. Anyway, if the trees arent real thick and don't throw alot of shade, a kettle in yellow or purple trailing lantana would be colorfull. Or, how about some cast iron plants around the trees, caldiums, and george tabor azaleas? GT Azaleas dont bloom long but have great light green foliage do well in shade? Just some thoughts of mine.

GOOD LUCK

ray in south louisiana

[Judi K.]

You know, there are a lot of herbs that work well in urns/kettles. Rosemary loves containers and is wonderful for height, as the drain well. Thyme and oregano will cascades over the side and the thyme will even have a pretty-tiny white bloom to ad color. And of course there's purple Basil. The list goes on and on. Most of these are perenials in my zone 8.

Ray, I discovered a cane syrup bowl behind the pool house buried under debris when I bought this house a few years back. What do you think it is worth? I planted Mexican Petunia in it to keep it from spreading into the yard. Belive it or not my hubby drilled holes in the bottom.

[Judi K.]

For some reason I am not seeing the replies to this thread. All I get is the original post.

[Ann B.]

Judi K.,

I am not sure what would make you not be able to see replies. Is this only happening on this one thread?

I will write you after I research how this could happen, since you won't be able to see this message either.

Till Later...

[Kathy in GA]

Hi Ray, Judi,All,

Sorry it has been a while since I've been online. Didn't know these posts were here.

A sugar pot? What is that? Is that like the old withces brew Kettles?
Judi? YOU did what???!!? To an antique? Eeeewwwwww that hurts!
Don't know what a sugar cane bowl is either, but from the sounds of it, sounds very very old!

Yep Ray, it is hard to plant here. You all have given some GREAT ideas!

This is what I've done so far.

Okay this island has 5 trees,(think I said 4 earlier) Two are completely straight, 1 leans to the left big curve in it. The other two lean over the drive way (big arching curves in them too.

In the front of the bed I planted a Red Poinsettia, and boy it just sets the entire bed! Love it, Loveit!
planted two holly ferns, Golden Tiara hostas, Spider plant, Aztec grass, and two lady ferns. and two sago pups.

It is still missing something though. Espicially after the holdidays when I dig up the Poinsettia then it will be really bare

The best part about this bed so far is that All this stuff was planted from Divisions from my stock plants! Minus the sago, and poin.
What fun!

The bed is already starting to fill in, and looks so elegant!
Now we have Red and Green Christmas lights twirled around each tree and then cirlced around the bed. Doesn't just look good during the day!
Never had sooo much fun making, and planting a garden spot.

An urn would be beautiful set off of the center, with the purple Lantana!
WOw! Spring plans....Wisteria wrapping up a tree, and the urn with purple lan.
You all are GREAT!
Thanks!
Kathy in Ga.:D

[Ray]

Kathy and Judi,

Sugar Kettles were used in civil war times on sugar kane plantations. The cane would be cut and pressed and the juice from the cane would be transferred into these large pots. The pots would then be boiled until the water was nearly all gone, and the result would be cane syrup. The cane syrup would then be refined into the sugar we know today. The process and technique is old but still used today. There are sugar refineries 2-3 miles from my home that are 175 years old and still cooking!!! So that is why sugar kettles are big around here. Lots of people have them and some are too big to move without a winch truck or some piece of big equipment to move it. So they just plant stuff in them and landscape around them. Go to Briansfurniture.com. They are a local store that has some. They have prices on them too. They are steep, but supply has driven the price of these way up.

I've asked my Santa for one this year. If she doesn't get me one, I've got my eye on a couple nearby.

GOOD LUCK

ray in south louisiana

[Judi K.]

My sugar cane "thing" is shaped like a bowl with a 4' lip around the edge. It isn't like a deep kettle. Can you believe I got my hubby to drill holes in the bottom for drainage? The thing is made of cast iron and probably a half inch thick. He still reminds me of that chore. haha
It works great for containing my everspreading mexican petunia. I add annuals to fill up the spaces.