Someone remarked to us last week that Europeans don't do whimsy, but do avant garde instead. Or is it it's just not called whimsy here but avant garde instead?
Whimsy? Avant garde? Whatever...no intentions of over intellectualising this. Otherwise we'll just lose the essence. But no intentions of going all out either. There will still be control there and the quirky things will still be curated
Anyway, the focus of our quirk this year isn't really the furniture, paint colour, nor the objects here and there. Those are just complemental and part of the overall look if you may. The focus is the collection of pots and plants that we have accumulated over the past months and even years and are now displayed like we've never done before.
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| Pot crazy and loving it! |
In collecting the pots I particularly went for those that are colourful, has interesting patterns and shapes, or even ones that I would never ever put in the house but is fun and great to have out in the garden instead. Mostly going for pots using mostly sense and just a little dash of sensibility. They are an eclectic mix that's for sure.
And eclectic display they will be as well. Even plastic ones will be proudly displayed in and amongst them too. But why display even the functional ones? Why not. Do you sometimes think that by trying to hide something you may end up highlighting them instead? I certainly think so. Instead of making an effort to repot everything that are in plastic and nursery pots, instead we opted to integrate them, even proudly displaying them as they are.
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| A mix of pot materials in one group |
Another important element is that the pots must not be expensive at all. This 'quirk' is not intended to last and is non committal. Even the furniture is to be regarded that way hence the recycling of materials to make a table and the use of old garden furniture that were just repainted. If we ever do something permanent on the top patio in the future it won't be as difficult to let go of them if they don't fit in anymore.
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| The silver bowls are actually one the cheapest pots we have, sold for £1 (US$ 1.56) each at Ikea three years ago. Wish we bought more now! |
Saying that we're loving the look of the top patio at the moment. Will this be temporary and not last at all? We're not so sure at the moment. This may end up lasting longer deliberately than intended. See how it goes.
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| It's not all succulents btw, one side are lush plants |
Whimsy? Avant Garde? I think we'll settle for bonkers!
On our next post about the top patio, we'll take a closer look on some of the pots, plants, or groups of them.
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Yes, definitely bonkers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a collection! There are some really unique ones in there. You've got winter storage all figured out already I'm sure, right? :)
Thanks Alan! Well mostly figured out ;)
DeleteWhat a delightfully bonkers collection of containers. So colorful and beautifully staged. You've been having fun.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun Alison :) staging didn't take long but the potting did!
DeleteBonkers or not, they're looking fab.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessica! :)
DeleteYou've got a great collection going! I like that you mix colors and that you buy multiples. (Love the white elephants.) I'm also impressed that you manage to find inexpensive options - I must be shopping in the wrong places - the price of pots usually shocks me.
ReplyDeleteNot a bad mix I think Kris! The pots came from so many sources including boot sales, charity shops etc. :)
DeleteI love your bonkers collection! So many cool plants and unusual pots. Looks like the garden of avid collectors of all thing quirky.
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter :) pleased with the amount and have now toned down...for now!
DeleteYour pots are wonderful! I love the variety and each plant framed in its pot is different. Do you rearrange them? I would.
ReplyDeleteDo you need to be careful they don't get waterlogged if it rains heavily?
Do you overwinter in the pots or transfer them to plastic plant pots and clean and store the decorative containers?
Sorry about all the questions. I'm nosy!
Thank you Celia! I occasionally re arrange a few but most will stay put where they are now for the rest of the summer.
DeleteAll of them have drainage holes and in free draining mix so should be fine. Most of them will be shifted under glass and overwintered in their pots now. A few will be repotted for the winter especially the ones on the succulent table as they are just summer display. A few will be left out and just treated as beddings :)
Woah, that's a lot of pots!! Definitely love the whimsical or avant garde nature or whatever it is - it's got flair! I think it works because they all hold similar types of plants. You have some great pots in that collection!
ReplyDeleteThanks Indie! It was enjoyable collecting both pots and plants :) time will tell if we'll carry on accumulating more pots...
DeleteIt doesn't look bonkers, because you've put a lot of thought and care into your arrangement and groupings. I love the blue/grey group. The plants complement each other and so do the pots. Look forward to more!
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy! There's still a sense of control there indeed, which kind of saves it from going overboard :)
DeleteLove it! Now I'm tempted to write a follow up post for that one I did on the plant lust blog, where a few of us counted our containers. Let's see, Grace had 248, I had 228...where would you guys fall? Are you game?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Loree, go for it! :))
DeleteBeautiful display. I could stare at your Agaves for hours. (But not in a weird way).
ReplyDeleteNot to worry, I do the same ;)
DeleteI love your collection of plants in pots and can't wait for their closeups!
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise! :)
DeleteWow - you've almost got your very own Danger Garden going on there! It looks great! Love the fun pots, and love Peter's word for it - 'The Bonkers Collection'. Perfect! :)
ReplyDeleteHave to say Anna, Danger Garden was a big inspiration for this ;)
DeleteGreat pots. Wonderful display. A winter nightmare. Not sure about plastic pots but wish I could 'let go' of things. My house and garden are a mess - contributed to greatly by the idea that to throw anything away is 'wrong'.
ReplyDeleteAhh but one day you'll be in the mood to just 'do it' and voila! ;)
DeleteWhimsy, Avant garde, Bonkers?----No just Potty xx
ReplyDeleteI call it character! Or individual taste that is not replicated anywhere else. Or maybe call it Personal Freedom (I think this is what the American revolution was about!)
ReplyDeleteI can imagine Debs, and I like the way you've put it :)
DeleteWhat fun! One gardener, asked about how she achieved such an integrated look, replied: "I just buy what I like and it all seems to work out"...and it is surely working out for you.
ReplyDeleteSometimes just letting go and going with the flow of feeling is the way Ricki :)
DeleteWow!!! so many pots!!! it kinda reminds me of the danger gardenette Peter has :). I display nursery pots as I can´t purchase nice ones...they could be stolen at any time as my garden is not closed.
ReplyDeleteWow, fantastic collection of pot.
ReplyDeleteI realy love the third picture. beautiful composition!