Container Gardening is still a major trend for 2005. This is a trend that can provide more flexibility in gaining the tropical look and utilizing southern hemisphere plants. It can also allow one to rotate the plantings into the home since increasing use of houseplants is yet another trend!
The romantic garden trend is interpreted in the 4 Seasons Garden with a container of drought tolerant echeverias placed in a birdbath of the romantic style. The small bird is sitting on the rim and can be taken and utilized in other settings. The container of the echeverias can be brought into the house to be placed in a sunny window for the winter. Careful consideration has been given to the suitability of this container for the theme of the garden.
The birdbath planter has been provided with a setting featuring the large leaves of the golden Catalpa (pruned back to keep its large golden leaves lower to the ground) and the purple-red leaves of Cercis Canadensis Forest Pansy. A purple clematis scrambles through the Catalpa in the summer (see verticality) while at the base of the birdbath is a hybrid dwarf hellebore (cross between sterneii and livides) whose grey-blue leaves will provide year round foliage interest. (see Plant of the Year hellebore section) The large maple shaped leaves with purple-black stems are of Kirengeshoma palmata (Yellow Waxbells) which will provide soft yellow bells in the late summer/fall. (see year round interest)
Staying in the 4 Seasons Garden a potting bench, made of concrete, (an ongoing trend for 2005), is the focal point of this collection of containers. The soft cream colour finish and curved legs provides a classic/romantic look. Two Japanese cut leaf maples, that flank the potting bench on either side, will provide year round structure and interest to this grouping.
A closer look at some of the containers on the potting bench shows a bonsai copper beech (purchased already trained) and a fluted concrete container of echevria and other sedums selected for their contrasting foliage colour and texture. This inside/outside container will look wonderful in during winter, the deep crimson Cowichan hybrid primroses will be planted in the garden when they have finished blooming.
The Collectors Garden uses a classic stone container to feature a collection of drought tolerant hardy succulents that once more have been selected to provide year round interest with their different foliage colours and textures . Hardy sedums, with their usefulness for planting on the trend setting green roofs , have stayed popular for 2005.