Topiary Love...❥

Topiaries are fun.

They are stylish and artistic.

Topiary adds a whole lot of flair and even formality if you desire!

I'm a huge topiary fan.

So when I saw this 'Totally Topiary' shaped like a cone,

I had to have it!

They are an excellent choice for a container.

Also for creating symmetry at an entrance by planting in pairs.

The growth period for this plant is September to February in the Southern Hemisphere.

And that is also when you feed it with slow release fertiliser.

During this time the plant requires regular clipping to maintain the shape.

They will need repotting every two years if planted in a container.

You can also let it increase in size by trimming off the new growth following the line of the original shape.

That's what I will be doing as I'd like this darling to be twice as big as it currently is!

And I know you all want to know what this little plant actually is?

Well, it is 'Lonicera nitida'.

Perfect for Topiary because it has a super easy-going nature.

It has quick growth and loves a trim.

The flowers are insignificant, but hey, it's all about the foliage!

'Lonicera nitida' can be grown in sun or part shade.
I'm leaving it to settle in the new pot for a week or so, then I'll be snip, snip, snipping!

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#topiary #foliageplants #pottedplants #plantsfortopiary

Beautiful Moments...

Sharing a beautiful quote...

reminding us to collect and remember the beautiful moments in life.

Feel free to share, print for personal use, or use as a screensaver.

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#lifequotes #joy #love

The Beautiful CAMELLIA SASANQUA....❥

Camellia Sasanqua is a hardy shrub/small tree that offers a beautiful autumn colour in the home garden.

The blooms range in colour from red, pure white, white with a pink tinge and many many shades of pink.

The flowers can be single with yellow stamens or multi-petaled doubles.

There are also sweet, delicate miniatures.

Some are even scented!

Evergreen leaves are very attractive, glossy green, and are very pretty even when the tree is not in flower.

Camellias like a well-drained humus acid rich soil.

They will grow in full sun or part shade.

All they require for best blooms are regular watering, Spring fertilising and a light trim after flowering.

Once established Camellia Sasanqua is hardy, tolerating light frost in the winter and short droughts in the summer.

This amazing plant can be grown in pots, espaliered, and clipped to form a hedge.

 Or left to be a feature in a small tree state in the garden.

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#camellia #smallshrubs #smalltrees #sasanqua

Steampunk Wind Chime...❥

Old spoon love...
that's a bit of a thing for me.
I find these timeworn treasures at the Thrift Store.
And even though they are tarnished and worn there is a certain beauty about them.
But what to do with them?

You can use them in decor vignettes.

Lay spoons in rows or crossed atop a stack of old books with interesting coloured covers.

Or pop them in a vessel.

Perhaps a silver-tone cup, a vintage teacup, or a beautiful crystal glass.

Or why not create a cute wind chime that has a definite steampunk style?

This design is rustic, raw and 'bohemian steampunk'.

Is there even such a word?

The design is carefree, relaxed, and just a little bit unusual.

You can follow my guide or add your own personal touch.

I'm thinking about making another and adding some beautiful hanging crystals.

For this simple project you will need:

6 old silver teaspoons
a wide metal filagree bangle 
(the one I used was 25 centimetre diameter).
thin wire
wirecutters
tape measure
a pencil

To Make:
1/.  Cut 6 lengths of wire at about 46 centimetres long.  

2/.  Twist the wire tightly around each spoon handle.

3/.  Attach each wired spoon to bangle at approximately every 3.5 to 4 centimetres.
Use a chair to help hold the bangle while you attach the spoons.

4/.  Cut another wire to make a handle.
Use a pencil to add spiral details as shown.
Attach by twisting the wire to the opposite sides of the bangle.

5/.  Hang and enjoy the beautiful sounds it creates.

Can you imagine what some beautiful crystals will do to this?

Rainbows of light dancing to the spoon chime music!

How beautiful.

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#diy #diywindchimes #spoonwindchimes

Mini Tropical Mountainscape Garden...

Miniature gardening has become quite the thing!

It all started with the classic and much-loved fairy and pixie gardens,

and has evolved from there.

Now you can create gardens themed by dragons, dinosaurs, beach, alpine, tropical jungle or bonsai.

Just select the plants and theme that will suit the position you are placing the container in.

Once you have decided on the theme, and the soil requirements and plants to suit, you just add as many (or as few) accessories as you desire.

A coastal beach scene might have a white sand area with a mini Adirondack deckchair made from iceblock sticks.

A beach sign (also made from iceblock sticks).

Plants could be mini grasses, small-leaved succulents, small natural stones and tiny driftwood pieces.

The main focal tree could be a mini-sized fig or palm.

You only need to let your imagination run free to create any type of themed miniature garden. 

The one I've chosen to create today is a 'Mountainscape'.

To do this, I used tropical type plants:

Rocks in various shapes and sizes.
Mini size 'Baby Houseplant' ferns x 2.

Coleus Baby Houseplant.
Tradescantia spathacea Baby Houseplant.
Black Mondo Grass (ophiopogon Black Dragon).

A Flamingo Flower plant (anthurium Andreanum).

Moss.

A round squat-type planter.

I filled the container with good quality potting mix.

Placed my rocks into position.

Then worked out the best placement for the plants.

Final touches - I added a rocky path and moss to cover the soil.

This Mini Mountainscape Garden is now gracing my afternoon sunny, covered deck.

I'm thinking that in summer I'll be creating a beach themed Miniature Garden for this spot, and then move the Mountainscape inside while it's hot. 

If you are stuck for a school holiday idea for the kids, this is a fab, fun activity for them to enjoy. 

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#minaturegardens #mountainscape #minigardens