T3

My sister-in-law, Jojo sent me a link to this great blog “Inside the Loop” . She figured I would enjoy the Japanese Ikebana arrangements… and she was right. It made me think about some of the arrangements that I have done in the past, mostly with succulents. Succulents are SO easy, and the fact that most require very little water and can handle filtered sun makes them perfect for office windows, indoor table-tops, and really anywhere else. A great idea: keep one arrangement outdoors in elements, and the other in your favorite spot indoors.

Using simple pots in basic shapes ensures that the pot will compliment, not compete, with the plant scheme. Depending on the plant choice, I like to either plant en masse or take two or three varieties and place them according to growth pattern. This is where it helps to know how the plants will grow. If you are using succulents, check out this website (www.plugconnection.com) for comprehensive growth information on several different succulent varities. If grasses are more your style, stick with the festucas or mondo grasses (ophiopogon japonicus). If the container is large enough, Mexican Feather Grass (Stipa) or any of the pennisetum varieties make great specimens surrounded by creepers like trailing rosemary, Tradscantia, or Ipoemia.(Potatoe vine).

I like to dress the pots with decorative gravel, sand, or glass. Wood bark is too messy and degrades over time. I also prefer to use concrete, terrazzo, glazed ceramic, or fiber-cement containers. Terra Cotta pots are cheap and can be planted up and placed in a more-expensive container and top-dressed. This is especially useful if your using a container that doesn’t hold up to the elements, like Zinc or wood.

I especially love the tray planters that we manufacture and sell. They are created with either stainless steel or weathered and lacquered steel. I use bromeliads, succulents, Air plants, orchids, and whatever else is lying around that needs a home. They are called trayscapes and come in three sizes T1, T2, and T3

They are available for purchase at Mixture in Little Italy and Grounded in Encinitas. Custom arrangements and commissioned pieces available upon request.

T1 with bromeliad, and succulents

T2

“The Modern Patio”

This year we decided to try something new… Actually invite over 1 million fair-goers into our display. I know, I know, its risky but we really want everyone to experience the garden the way gardens are intended to be enjoyed. The Fair opens June 12, and I hope to see you there. Here is the garden description,

“THE SECRET OF THE OF MODERN PATIO IS NOT SO MUCH IN THE ELEMENTS YOU USE, IT’S HOW YOU PUT THESE ELEMENTS TOGETHER. INCIDENTALLY, MODERN GARDENING IS JUST THAT; USING MATERIALS IN A WAY THAT MAKES SENSE FOR THE REGION, LOCATION, AND TIMES WE ARE LIVING IN. SAN DIEGO IS HOME TO AN ECLECTIC MIX OF FLORA AND FAUNA AND WITH ITS MANY MICRO-CLIMATES COME MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO USE NOT JUST NATIVES, BUT A PANOPLY OF INTERESTING AND EXTRAORDINARY PLANTS. THE “OUTDOOR ROOM” IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY POPULAR, AND WHY NOT? SAN DIEGO IS PERFECTLY SUITED FOR THE OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE, AND SINCE MOST OF US DON’T HAVE UNLIMITED REAL-ESTATE, OUR OUTDOOR SPACES DEMAND TO BE UTILIZED AND TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF.
“THE MODERN PATIO” IS MEANT TO BE EXPERIENCED, NOT GAZED AT FROM AFAR, ITS A DESTINATION, A PLACE TO RELAX AND FORGET ABOUT YOUR WORRIES. THIS SPACE SHOULDN’T BE BURDENSOME OR REQUIRE MORE TIME TO MAINTAIN THAN ONE CAN AFFORD, AND HERE IN SAN DIEGO IT SHOULD BE PLANNED TO USE WATER IN AN EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER.
THIS DESIGN IS INTENDED TO SURPRISE AND DELIGHT. THE THEME IS AMBIGUOUS ON PURPOSE, THE PLANT PALLETE IS MEANT TO MAKE YOU THINK, AND THE COLORS ARE CAREFULLY ARRANGED TO ALLOW THE EYE TO REST. THE MASCULINITY OF THE STEEL AND WOOD IS BALANCED WITH THE FEMININITY OF THE FOLIAGE. THE QUADRATIC UBIQUITY IS BROKEN BY THE CURVES IN THE CONCRETE AND THE NATURAL PLANTER BEDS. BUILT-INS ARE A MUST, AND A COST SAVING ALTERNATIVE TO EXPENSIVE FURNITURE. THE VERTICAL GARDEN DRAWS THE EYE UP, WHILE THE WATER FEATURE WITH ITS SOUND AND MOVEMENT BRINGS US BACK DOWN. THE VISUAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EACH OF THE ELEMENTS SHOULD COMPLIMENT, NOT COMPETE. IN THE END, YOU SHOULD LEAVE THE GARDEN FEELING REFRESHED AND HAPPY. WE HOPE YOU DO.”

Thank to our generous sponsors:

Pigment, Miramar Wholesale Nursery, Botanical Partners/Bamboo Headquarters, KRC Rock, Unique Lighting, West Coast Concrete, Western Cactus Nursery

For more information about the garden, how to purchase items from the show, or for design and construction questions please email Ryan@fallingwatersweb.com

Our Modern Concrete Bench can be adapted to most any outdoor space. The clean lines and simple shape allow it to compliment, not compete for attention. The bench is constructed using high density foam with a concrete-like shell for durability. It has the strength equivilent to 3000 psi. The Redwood can be changed out for any kind of durable seating surface and the concrete bases can be stuccoed or painted to continue an existing color scheme. The benches are available for purchase and can be delivered.

Concrete and Redwood bench