Plant Love

I am seriously in love with plants. 

And all that goes with them. 

That would include beautiful containers and baskets. 

Recently when I attended Funky Junk Sisters Flea Market at the State Fairgrounds, I found some lovely Vintage Baskets. 

When I saw this one, I knew just where I would hang it. 

Of course I needed a little help from my Mr.! 

It didn't have a chain, so I bought a lamp chain. It came in bronze, so I gave it a matching vintage look by giving it a few little sprays with a light green that matched the original patina. (It was a lucky guess!)

I let the bronze show through here and there. 

Mr. Blue Eyes put a hanging hook in the beam and cut the chain to fit and voila'! 

The plant I chose is a philodendron, called 'Sweetheart'.  It can take low light, sitting back from the window so far, with the occasional beam of sunshine from the skylight above. 

I bought three baskets at the flea market and this is the second one. 

When I saw these baskets, my plant lovin' heart skipped a beat! 

The price was right and I loaded The Mr. down! 

He is living proof that the Rolling Stone's Song, 'Beast of Burden' doesn't apply here. 

He loves me and he loves everything I do. 

Ha ha - a little joke! 

But I do know he loves me. Or he wouldn't put up with me and my crazy schemes! 

Back to the planters.....

I planted this one with Redwood Sorrel, a shade loving ground cover native to the Northwest. It will stay compact, with tiny white flowers above the clover shaped leaves. 

I lined the basket with sphagnum moss first. 

It's perfect for my front entry. 

The small crate serves as a resting spot for packages, keys and other items when arriving home and also stores an emergency supply of kindling and small split logs for me when the wood box has run out and The Mr. is not around. 

The third basket hangs on the other side of the front door. 

This area has deep shade on the North side, so I planted it with this unusual coleus that seems to be thriving despite the darkness. It has many new sprouts. 

Right now it does look a little odd with its greenhouse induced larger leaves above the 'normal' sized sprouts. 

Once they grow a little taller, I will give it a trim.. 

I loved this basket's pretty scrolled design. 

Again, I lined it with sphagnum moss before planting. 

I like to use re purposed containers for gardening, too. 

This is my 'kitchen garden', using enamel pots and metal buckets as planters for pinwheel petunias and blue lobelia. 

Small enamel containers fill in the blanks. 

Old enamel canning pots with holes drilled in the bottom serve as roomy planters. 

The Mr. recently found the little blue truck while digging in the dirt. A sweet memento of raising two boys. 

It awaits a good cleaning. 

My 'kitchen garden' fittingly sits on an old baker's rack right outside my kitchen through the glass doors. 

My flower pot stand keeps it company. 

This little plant stand was another Funky Junk Sister's find from the previous show during the winter. 

I painted it and planted pots of blue lobelia and petunia. 

These will bloom all summer. 

I do love stepping out to colorful flowers every morning. 

For flowers, I mostly garden in pots. 

Only large, hardy plants or wildflowers can survive planting in the ground here. 

Small, tasty, tender flowers are kept in hanging baskets or pots on my deck and window boxes. 

Why tempt fate? 

It is also nice to have them up close to admire at eye level. 

These tuberous begonias just bloom their hearts out all summer under the canopy of an umbrella. 

Tiny roses get star treatment up close and personal. 

Pots of fuchsia provide nectar for hummingbirds close enough to be admired. 

Even foliage can provide beautiful color. 

It is a beautiful, sunny day with temperatures expected in the 80's, so I must get busy watering all these little beauties. 

Mt. Rainier takes on the heavenly blue hue of the summer sky. 

Not a cloud in sight. 

And look at who will be my helper's today! 

Weenie Baby and Peanut! 

I am pet-sitting for my daughter. 

They caught me taking a little bite of my morning toast (stocking feet and pajama clad).

Of course I shared! 

I hope you are enjoying these lovely summer days 

and I hope you enjoyed meeting my flowers and plants! 

Do you garden in pots? What is your favorite potted plant? 

xoxo