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Cupid Strikes in the Garden
Our little cherub is working hard to bring us a touch of beauty during the doldrums of winter. If nothing else, he can strike a chord in your heart and your Valentine's heart, with his bouquet of roses and greens. Not to mention, his bounty is a sign of things to come with spring. Indoor container gardens not only brighten a space, they also can be key elements of a room's decor. For instance, play off the drama and color of a sculptural garden using greens, African violets and bromeliads to soften a corner or add color to a monochromatic space.
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African violets in a wood box or bowl work well in Afrocentric rooms. Surround your container garden with artifacts such has masks, drums, and combs. Our tabletop fountain surrounded by candles and blooms is just the look
for an Asian-inspired room or a minimalist space. It's not only soothing to
look at, but the trickle of the water in the fountain is a plus for
de-stressing after a hard day's work.
Nearly any container --nontraditional ones are the most interesting --
can work as the foundation of your garden. If you have doubt about the
water-holding ability of your vessel, line it with plastic wrap and be sure
to put in rocks or a similar material for drainage. The plants can be
transplanted to the container, or you can leave them in their pots and group
them together.
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Indoor container gardens are portable; they can be easily moved around the house. Place them anywhere -- a kitchen table or counter, on a pedestal in the corner of a living room or put together an arrangement to greet guests in your entryway. Any plant variety can be used in container gardens, just be sure to check the plants' needs if you mix varieties, so they're all compatible. And choose your flower colors with an eye toward the hues and shades in your room.
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 The garden can complement the dominant colors or chose plants that match or accent your accessories such as pillows, throws and area rugs. Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can add a little bit of spring to your home with a small bouquet of silk flowers. Our cherub bouquet is a mix of dried and silk roses and greens with branches from the yard. In the bottom of the urn, which was brought in from the yard, an oasis or floral forms were used to hold the flowers in place. For those with a more ambitious project in mind, consider forcing some bulbs (amaryllis, paper whites and tulips, to name a few). All you need is a container with rocks and enough water to cover the base of the bulbs and a sunny window. In soil, the bulbs are covered except for the very top. Be sure to water and keep in a sunny location. Before you know it, the look of spring will be in the air.
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