By Izzy123gym
West Midlands, United Kingdom
What ideas do you have for this container please?
I have had to abandon this year-old touch-top bin...as.... you've guessed it.... it no longer works! I am always looking for new/different plant containers and wondered if I could utilise this on the side patio for some plant or another! You are so creative so I thought I woud ask you! I cannot imagine WHAT I could use it for...minus the lid.... but ...over to you!
- 18 Nov, 2009
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recycling in the garden
Answers
I think I'd go for something shorter because it's already tall and would blow over. Something overhanging and blue. Campanula or the rich blue succulent type plant that I can't think of just now.
18 Nov, 2009
you would need something to give it height perhaps a 'blue' dwarf conifer. I would then have trailing plants, ivy,for all round interest but perhaps annuals too for the summer. Bulbs certainly, I.reticulata, crocus, snowdrops, dwarf tulips etc. I personally would go for a blue theme to go with the silver of the bin. but i do like telme8 ideas of a pink theme too.
18 Nov, 2009
Some taller grasses would look good and the wind would blow through them and it would be less likely to blow over.You could put some bricks or rubble in the bottom to stabilise it and help with drainage.
A brilliant idea to recycle such an attractive container :))
18 Nov, 2009
If you turn it up side down it may not blow over heron? What about a colourful pad and use as extra patio stool? Or a patio wine cooler? Hows your course going Izzy?
18 Nov, 2009
The name of the plant I'd forgotten is Lithodora, hope I've spelt it right.
18 Nov, 2009
What about Lavender Munstead flowers through to September. Google it in the box at the top on the right hand side to see it. Also put in Cerastium Tometosum (snow in summer) which will hang over the edge. and flowers May - July. Both have grey foliage which will stay on through the winter. Herons suggestion of campanula ( C cochlearifolia - fairy thimbes is a good one) will flower mid summer through to end of September. Add some cyclamen coum for pink flowers - jan to march- some snowdrops, miniture tulips, triteleia see the picture on the left and enjoy maintenance free except for dead heading and trimming. I would use the inner liner to give you a little bit of insulation Follow asters advice on drainage and we look forward to seeing the result of your choices.
18 Nov, 2009
Ilike the tall idears but one thing worries me I agree you do need dranage and it lookes as if it is plastic lined but I still think that we are talking mettal and water equals oxigenation (rust) sorry been in the building trade all my life carn't help thinking practaly, you drill holes let the water out and rust into the metal it will blow the crome off, not nice any more shame spent allthat money and time hart braking , save up for terracoter or paint a plastic one I saw a plastic one coverd in sea shells looked lovly.
18 Nov, 2009
that looks to be more than 2 feet tall - big enough for one of the smaller clematis, I'd say. Or how about a Phormium - the red ones look awful in terracotta, but great in silver pots, I'm thinking of Dazzler or similar. I'd line the inside with that thin, packing sheet material, not sure what it's made of, but its definitely man made, feels warm to touch, about the thickness of 2 sheets of paper, I don't know what its called, annoyingly. But you'd need it for insulation so the roots don't burn in the sun, or freeze when its cold.
18 Nov, 2009
How about putting it in a shady area so the silver shines and lights it up - and plant beautiful evergreen ferns in it?
18 Nov, 2009
Is there a prize for the winner, Izzy?;-))
18 Nov, 2009
Wow! I never fail to be amazed at your combined ingenuity! I never thought of the rust factor. Hubby has just said that, if he drills holes in the bottom, then paints around to seal the edges, that should prevent rust forming. I never thought of asking him! LOL
I am trying to recycle things more as I could buy pots for England...BUT they are so expensive. On that note, what do YOU utilise as pots ...other than the conventional? I have noticed some unusual receptacles in other people's gardens but I always forget to save such things.
You've certainly given me food for thought. The bin is stainless steel and still beautifully shiny...I thought of putting it in a sheltered spot on a side patio.
Drc726...I have just finished the next assignment tonight! Whew! It was all about Plant Formation and Structure. It's taken me 6 weeks to complete so I'm going to have a week or so "off"! The next one is "How Plants Function"...just what I need! LOL
Thank you all again...
18 Nov, 2009
I was given a planted handbag. Its in my pictures somewhere.
I also have an old water tank planted up.
izzy i have missed the fact you were studying. what qualification are you doing?
18 Nov, 2009
Great to hear its all going well have a good break.
18 Nov, 2009
Spritzhenry, I have just said THAT to my husband as the side patio is very shaded and I LOVE ferns but don't have any in this garden. I had them in the last garden but did not plan to stay here very long! A bright container of same would be very effective, I think. Keep the ideas flowing...it's marvellous!
18 Nov, 2009
Seaburngirl, I am doing the RHS Level 2 in Horticulture followed by a Diploma in Garden Design! I must be mad! I retired from teaching a year ago and always thought that I would study plants properly when I was retired! LOL I am a novice as I never had time to really learn about plants while I was teaching. Every night was spent on schoolwork...sadly! I am also a mum of 5 now...although i only "inherited "the other 3 five years ago on re-marriage!
18 Nov, 2009
gosh. keeping busy then.
18 Nov, 2009
If you plant trailing plants around the edges you could maybe have some herbs in the middle, so you'd actually get some food out of your new fixture. Chives would look good with the trailing plants I think
19 Nov, 2009
Izzy your husband is correct but could be a little out of date, today more and more paints are water based, even cars paint is now water based ,to stop rust on metal you need bitchamastic and that is a poor substitute for lead nither of which are good for your plants' sorry to be sutch a damp squid but I would never forgive myself if I did not speak up and you ended up with a mess.
19 Nov, 2009
Is there a plastic liner, if so put drainage stones in the bottom of that then put another pot in to hold your plants with holes of course to allow the plants to drain. Negates the need to put holes in your bin.
19 Nov, 2009
I agree ,it would look great with a nice fern in it.
19 Nov, 2009
Gosh, I'm speechless at the variety of responses! Thank you each and every one..I shall act on them as soon as I can get some free time. There is a plastic liner inside the stainless steel one so it looks straightforward now!
Izzy
19 Nov, 2009
I'm full of admiration of you Izzy for studying Horticulture, I hope you achieve all your dreams.
19 Nov, 2009
Thank you, kind Sir!...I'll need all the good wishes I can get! LOL
19 Nov, 2009
Got a request, Izzy - when you get round to the Krebs cycle, if its possible, can you direct me to the resource material, or send me your info on it? I missed that day and the notes my friend gave me were worse than useless, so I've never understood it properly - it still bugs me that I don't understand it even after all these years.
19 Nov, 2009
Surely, Bamboo...no problem!
20 Nov, 2009
bamboo, get hold of any modern A2 level biology text book and it will be in there.
20 Nov, 2009
OOOPS! I just assumed Bamboo was male?...only just thought about it! If I'm wrong, apologies.
20 Nov, 2009
I like to think of myself as genderless, Izzy, so don't worry about it;-))
20 Nov, 2009
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Previous question
What about a Lovely deep pink Camelia with some smaller varieties of varigated ivy to fall over the sides and possably some fine evegreen heathers and short tulips to appear in the Spring around the base of the camelia. As long as you put some drainage holes in the bottom and fill it with eracasious compost. It should sustain the camelia for a number of years to a good size, then keep it pruned to proportion.
18 Nov, 2009