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Tag: plants


pumpkin play

30
September

striped mini pumpkin

Planting inside a pumpkin –  whether real or artificial – has been going on for quite a few years now.  Certainly, new colors and types of pumpkins pop up every year, but there are also some ways to make this season’s pumpkin – whether planted, or part of a planting –  look fresh for the current year!

Let’s look at four easy ways to update your planted pumpkin creations this year!

Add a decorative non-living item to your planting.  There are infinite ways to make a pumpkin planting look updated, simply by adding a decorative item to your arrangement.  In the examples here, decorative metal items are used.  Shop your local garden store gift shop or find something unique at a vintage store or thrift shop.

pumpkin with metal flower

pumpkin with metal acorn

A great way to make your arrangement look super current, is to add an item currently trending – in this case, a mushroom!

pumpkin with mushroom

Glue dried items to the outside of your pumpkin.  You have seen me glue dried items to pumpkins in years past and this is a great idea for anyone that feels they don’t possess a green thumb!  A glue gun and some found (or purchased) dried items from nature are all that are required!  And, although this is not exactly a planted pumpkin, it creates the same appeal as one!  Small pumpkins are especially great for this because very little material is needed to add some instant drama!

dried flowers on pumpkin

pumpkin with burgandy dried

Incorporate a nest into your pumpkin arrangement.  You know I have a passion for nests and why not use them with your pumpkins!  Items from nature are always favorites of mine and nests can mix really well with pumpkins!  You probably already have some nests, packed away with your Easter or spring décor, that can do double duty!

white nest pumpkin

nest with pumpkin

pumpkin in nest

Add a pumpkin to an already fabulous living arrangement.  Any arrangement you already have can look seasonal with an added pumpkin!  Nobody does this better than Terrain – look at the examples here!  Choose a pumpkin(s) that coordinates in color and/or style to your current planting!  Have fun with it!

orchids and pumpkin

pumpkin in black urn

pumpkin and ferns

I hope you are inspired to add some seasonal décor to your home!  The photos I used as examples here were all taken by me at Terrain in Westport.  If you live local, be sure to visit Terrain for The Autumn Bounty Festival on October 1st, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

 

Comments Off on pumpkin play | diy, inspiration, style

plants of palm beach

9
May

succulent arrangement

As I start to clean up my garden and plant some annuals here in Connecticut, I can’t help but think of some of the inspiring plantings I saw on my first trip to Palm Beach, Florida.

Like all things in Palm Beach, the green spaces are magnificent. So today, as part of my Palm Beach homage, I am sharing some of my favorites from the great plantings I spotted!

Some of my favorite container plantings were located around the pool at The Breakers hotel…

container garden poolside at The Breakers

poolside container garden

This colorful orchid was one of many located in an interior courtyard at The Breakers. This beautiful variety of flower can easily grow on the trees in Palm Beach.

colorful orchids

The Living Wall (located on the west wall of Saks Fifth Avenue) on Worth Avenue, has to be the most high-profile garden in a Palm Beach public space! It was assembled in 2010 as part of the nearly $16 million beautification of Worth Avenue. A computerized system provides water and nutrients to the more than 10,000 plants in the 24-foot high, 36-foot wide grid. Amazingly beautiful!

Living wall in Palm Beach

These topiaries were also spotted on the famous high-end shopping street, Worth Avenue.

Palm Beach Topiaries

I found this cool looking flower in some shrubbery on the grounds of The Breakers hotel…not too sure what it is, but I thought it was uniquely beautiful.

flowers at The Breakers

This simple but majestic container planting was spotted outside Henry Flagler’s 1902 Palm Beach estate. Flagler was the gentlemen that established Palm Beach as a resort.

plant outside Flagler Estate

And, of course, you can’t help but notice the beautiful palms when in Palm Beach! They are everywhere! The coconut palm is not native to Florida. It’s presence in Palm Beach is due to a shipwreck back in 1878. The ship, traveling to Spain from Havana, was carrying a cargo of coconut palms and many of the coconuts were salvaged; many planted.

outside landscape at The Breakers

evening palms

I hope you enjoyed sharing a few of the many plants that caught my eye while in Palm Beach. While inspiring, they certainly make my humble garden seem a lot less exciting! I have to remind myself that Connecticut is lacking the tropical rain forest climate of Palm Beach!

dish garden The Breakers

A dish garden I admired on a table inside The Breakers hotel.

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Comments Off on plants of palm beach | garden, inspiration, sand & sea

caring for a fiddle-leaf fig

6
January

Terrain in CT pleasure in simple thing

This week I welcomed a new addition to my household – though not actually a person, this new addition IS a living thing.  I got a new Ficus Lyrata.  Or, as it is commonly referred to, a fiddle-leaf fig.

For quite some time I have wanted to replace a plant that, until recently (RIP), had resided in a corner of my dining room for decades.   I used a Christmas gift certificate to my favorite home and garden store to acquire a replacement plant.  Because of the popularity of fiddle-leaf figs, particularly with decorators, shipments don’t last long at Terrain.  But because I visit the store often, I was able to catch a new shipment arriving.

fiddle-leaf fig plesaure in simple things blog

I spent a bit of time sizing up the contenders at Terrain.  After looking through them all, I found one I connected with…does that sound crazy?  So, with the help of one of my favorite (as well as lovely, knowledgeable and helpful)  Terrain associates, I reviewed the care required for my new household addition.  Knowing that too much love (aka over watering) was the number one reason for fatalities in this variety of plant, I took the suggestion to purchase a water meter.  It is a handy item to own and I do have the tendency to over love my houseplants!

a shipment of fiddle-leaf figs at Terrain

purchasing a fiddle-leaf fig at Terrain

Getting some help picking out a fiddle-leaf fig from one of my favorite Terrain associates in the Westport, CT store.

So, I brought my new addition home and, with his (I have no idea why I immediately decided its gender) large beautiful leaves, this bold plant is the perfect one for the bright corner in my dining room!

my new fiddle-leaf fig pleasure in simple things blog

My new fiddle-leaf fig in his new home!

I know many of you own one of these plants or would like to own one, so I am sharing tips for success, courtesy of Terrain, on today’s Friday field trip.

leaves of a fiddle-leaf fig pleasure in simple things blog

Light:  Fiddle-leaf figs prefer abundant, indirect light.  Too little light will cause the plant to lose leaves and thin out.  They also tend to grow towards the light, which can create a leaning shape.  Rotate the plant regularly to keep it growing straight and full.

Temperature:  Grow best in humid conditions with temperature consistently above 65 degrees.  It is best to place your fig outdoors in summer when the weather is hot and humid.  When the plant is indoors, place in an area with a consistent temperature and free from drafts.

moisture meter for plants pleasure in simple things blogWatering:  The fiddle-leaf fig thrives with short, dry periods between waterings.  Generally, water every 14 days – adjust depending on the amount of light your plant receives.  Water thoroughly, but be sure that the soil and pot can drain completely.  Do not allow the plant to sit in water, or it may suffer from leaf drop and root rot.

 

Tips:  Dust the leaves periodically to assure that the plant can absorb as much light as possible.  Use a soft, dry cloth to gently remove any dust buildup.  Do not dust with your hands, as rubbing the leaves can damage them and cause drops of white, milky sap to appear.

Hope this is helpful to fiddle-leaf fig owners or future owners!

my dining room fern pleasure in simple things blog

The only other houseplant in my dining room – this cute little fern.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful weekend, Jackie

Comments Off on caring for a fiddle-leaf fig | field trips, garden, inspiration

     

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