It was my great friend Sue who really turned me on to playing with plants. That and a new conservatory.
One day I will do a post on Sue’s playground, but here I’ll start with our conservatory.
The previous conservatory, besides being cold and leaky, was more of a greenhouse than a room. But it rapidly became clear that the new, bigger and properly double glazed version was more of a dining room come sitting room with extra plants. So how to bring the plants in?
After much thought and web browsing I decided we’d make shelves on the large black wall at the end. We went off to the local Builder’s Merchant and ordered some scaffolding boards, and the internet provided us with some threaded rods and nuts.
We drilled holes in the planks and then fed them over the top of the rods.
Then kept at it until –
New shelves!
Next job was filling them. Which meant bringing the succulents back out of the greenhouse…
People love the droopy ones. Hmmm
And this inspired us to do the same outside.
I wasn’t ONLY taking pictures….(but thanks, Charles, you were great.)
These chrysanthemums went over rather too quickly, (though after a summer in the nursery they re-flowered and gave us a great autumn addition to the conservatory – my big garden surprise this year).
So the search was on for something that would do the summer. And these little darlings were perfect. Flowered and grew all summer.
Calibrachoa ‘Callie Purple
They were great. Though I had to water every day because the shelves keep them dry. I’ve since drilled holes in the shelves – and rain still doesn’t seem to come through.
Indoors, when autumn gloom began to make me want a little colour with the grey succulents. I puzzled for a while about what would do it. Flowers won’t go all winter very happily. Then thought of the wonderful chalk paint.
I had some rusty plant holders
It works!
It’s a bit addictive that stuff…..
I haven’t stopped with the chalk paint yet…… !
Hard to know when to stop……
Maybe I should add – there was no advertising involved in any of this piece. Just saying…
Of course you didn’t just take photos. You made Charles a cup of tea. And stopped the armchair feeling lonely. If watering the shelves outside is a pain, you might try adapting a micro-spray irrigation system (I can show you how I did it) which you just connect to a nearby tap for a few minutes (or put on a timer if you’re that lazy).
Thanks, John. Not sure about automatic irrigation …..
One might not wish to stand too still while you’ve a chalk paint brush in your hand!
You may be right. I have contemplated painting my shoes…
Colour combos are fabulous, especially against the black. Love the chalk painted pots.
Thanks. (I think they look even better in reality -strangely hard to photograph) Xxx
Absolutely fantastic Anne!!! I have never heard of chalk paint, but I suspect Grace will be buying a good quantity to spice up HER pots this winter now! 🙂
Hope she finds some ok. Xxxx