HOW TO DESIGN A SUMMER ARRANGEMENT IN FLORENCIA
INSTRUCTIONS:
In this project, we will plant a summer arrangement using Florencia from the TierraVerde collection of recycled rubber planters, with guest June Spanier of June of All Trades. June will demonstrate how to use summer plants for an arrangement under a covered porch or patio, for your frontdoor decor.
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WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
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one 21" Florencia Planter
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soil to fill 3/4 of the container
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gardening gloves
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summer flowers and plants from your local garden center, or greenhouse,
June used:
· Red Pepper cordyline - large tropical focal point thriller plant
· Gryphon begonia - filler flowering plant
· King coleus - colorful filler plant
· Red begonia - bright filler flowering plant
· Sweet potato vine - spiller plant with bright color
STEP ONE:
First, start with a great container. June likes the 21" Florencia from TierraVerde because it is made of 100% recycled materials, and is lightweight so it is easy to move around, if you need to, after your arrangement is planted. Keep the water reservoir in, but remove the drainage plug for use outdoors.
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Start by filling the container with a well-draining organic soil, about 3/4 full. Florencia is a large container, with 80-quart soil capacity.
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STEP TWO:
Create a focal point.
Start with the large cordyline, situated towards the center and back of the container.
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Tickle the roots to open the root ball once you remove the plant from its nursery container. In this arrangement, June is planting this tall plant towards the back of the planter, so create height. This THRILLER plant will be the focal point.
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STEP THREE:
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Add some more soil around the cordyline thriller plant and prepare a space on either side for Gryphon begonia. These will serve as FILLER plants. Plant them towards the back of the planter, ensuring full visibility from the front. They will fill out the left and right side of the overall design. In front of these, there will be more room for filler plants. June plants an assymetrical design with a King coleus and Red Begonia on the left and right of the design, respectively.
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STEP FOUR:
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Now we will add the final design element, which is the SPILLER plant. In this design, June has chosen a Sweet Potato Vine for several reasons. First, she loves the bright young green chartreuse color and how this is picked up by the King Coleus. Secondly, it is a wildly successful plant in container arrangements, grows quickly and climbs downwards in beautiful spills.
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ENJOY YOUR SUMMER PLANTER:
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Remember to keep watering your live plants throughout the season.