More pot portraits

Jeff Epping is the Director of Horticulture at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. He's a consummate gardener whether we're talking plant health, plant choices or overall garden design. His own garden on Madison's west side was awash with ideas, as well as members of the Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society, when he opened it to the group for a recent tour. With the exception of a small square of traditional lawn and assorted hardscaping materials, every inch was planted. And most surfaces held creative groupings of container plants. I tend to equate "container" with "colorful flowers" which may be the reason I shy away from them. But Jeff's plantings offer new ways to think about this kind of gardening.

TUFA TROUGH: No verticals. Limited plant and color palette. What makes it work is the contrast in scale between the carpet juniper and the sedums (above).

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF AN UNDER-USED SPACE: The narrow panel between garage doors is not big enough for much of a display and the paving typically goes right up to the building, further limiting one's options. But Jeff proves there's enough room to show a spiraling Chamaecyparis obtusa to its advantage; but planting it in a container means it won't block this area come winter snow removal.

 

INSTANT BONSAI: An evergreen — a baby white pine — again provides the focus and structure. You could heavily candle and prune it and turn it into a true Bonsai if you want to make such a long term commitment. Otherwise, just enjoy it for the summer and plant it out come fall.

POTS PLUS PRUNING: Jeff has large fruit trees espaliered against the back wall of the garage where his small veggie garden is located. This specimen adds a touch of class to the side porch while more espaliers continue down the side of the house (out of view) at the edge of the driveway in similar narrow planting beds. The repeating row of pots on the porch railing enforces the formality of the espalier while the informal plantings and asymmetrical groups of pots at ground level breaks the mold.  

Comments

[Susan in the Pink Hat]

This picks remind me of the pictures Iseli nursery posts of placing conifers in pots. I think a lot more people would have conifers in their gardens if they potted up some miniature or dwarf varieties.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

These are delightful. I am inspired especially since I haven't liked how my pots looked this summer.

[Altoon]

As in the "Urban Gems" post, I am struck by the beauty of foliage contrasts of color and texture. It's surprising how greens can look so varied; who needs flowers?

[Pam/Digging]

Beautiful ideas. I especially like the jewel-box combos in the last picture.