The House Plant Expert by Dr D. G Hessayon
Chapter 2 - Displaying Indoor Plants
- you can consider plants as 'green pets' which are looked after as individual specimens in a particular environment
- can be considered as 'living decor' which improves the appearance of rooms within the house
- plants are chosen based on the environment within each room
- plants can be combined or grouped together
- indoor planting can be influenced by what exists outdoors
- plants should be in keeping with their surroundings e.g large plants in spacious rooms and small pots on window sills
- use ideas from different sources e.g. TV, magazines
- group less significant plants and allow bold plants to become specimen plants
- The Specimen Plant - 'flowering or foliage plant grown as a solitary feature
- The Indoor Garden - 'is a container filled with several plants' - pots are hidden or removed
- The Pot Group - 'a collection of of plants in pots or individual containers closely grouped to create a massed effect'
- The Terrarium - ' a glass or transparent plastic container inside which plants are grown. The top is either naturally restricted or covered with transparent material'
The Specimen Plant
Good Specimen Plants include :
- Architectural Plants: Cyperus, Araucaria heterophylla, Fatsia Japonica, Palms, Yucca, Ficus benjamina, Diaeffenbachia
- Climbing Plants: Cissus, Monstera, Passiflora, Philodendron hastatum, Philodendron panduriforme, Rhoicissus, Scindapsus, Stephanotis
- Hanging Plants: Chlorophytum, Columnea, Nephrolepis, Zygocactus
- Multicoloured Foliage Plants: Begonia rex, Caladium, Codiaeum, Cordyline terminalis, Nidularium, Rhoeo
- Flowering Pot Plants: Begonia tuberhybrida, bulbs, Cyclamen, Gloxinia, Hydrangea, Pelargonium, Poinsettia, Rhododendron simsii
The Pot Group
Pots are combined because:- they create a bold display. Plants at the back can be bigger to add height
- small leaved plants work well when combined with large leaved plants
- not all the plants have to be perfect when grouped together
The Standard Group :
- taller plants and ones with darker green leaves are placed at the back
- foliage plants create framework whilst flowering plants add colour
- different leaf forms can be used against one another
The Professional Group
- pot holders are decorative and have different heights
- the plant at the back is much bigger or raised up
- the pot holder at the front has a flowering plant
- a trailing plant is used in a medium pot
The Display Window
- an windowsill is changed into a tiered design
of flowers and greenery
- glass shelves or plastic are put across the window
- pots are arranged across the shelves
- useful for cacti and succulents
The Pebble Tray
- Plants that need high humidity work well in a shallow tray
- used on a windowsill
- gravel is placed within the tray and this must be kept moist
- plants are grouped
The Collection
- 'the basic purpose of the Collection is to highlight the individuality, rarity and or beauty of each plant'
The Vertical Display
- horizontal
- traditionally a corner display unit with shelves
- using the same coloured foliage will create a mass of greenery
- metal or cane plants stands are portable
The Indoor Garden
- people still prefer to grow plants individually rather than as a group- has the same benefits as The Pot Group
- potting composts used within the container, or alternatively peat, sand, gravel / pebbles
- the containers are hidden
- 'the 'natural' effect is much more dramatic'
- higher humidity, root insulation and a reserve of water are benefits of this style
- can lead to less ventilation and increased likelihood of pest and diseases
Single Planters
- single planters are the most popular indoor garden
- can be long metal, wood or plastic troughs or cyclindrical or cubic containers
- the size of planters varies depending on space available
Hanging Basket
- suitable plants: aporocactus, asparagus, begonia, campanula, chlorophytum, episcia, fuschia, hedera, hoya, lobelia, pelargonium, scindapsus, setcreasea, tradescantia, zebrina, zygocactus
- container need to be suitable for indoors
- best to use a large waterproof container with wires, chains or chords
- peat based compost used
- plants need to be chosen based on the conditions
- fixed to the ceiling or a wall
Multiple Planters
- multiple planters contain multiple containers pushed together
- units can be watered individually so different types of plants can be grown alongside one another
The Mixed Bowl
- foliage plants and flowering plants are used in combination
- large plant at the back , with bushy plants in the middle and trailing plants in the front
The Miniature Garden
- mimics an outdoor garden on a smaller scale
- decorations are used to create this effect
- difficult to upkeep
The Dish Garden
- dish of succulents
- usually has drainage holes
The Living Screen
- trough is needed with trellis or poles stood within this that rise to the ceiling
- acts as a living screen and divides a room
- pots are put into the soil
The Pot - et - Fleur
- foliage house plants used
- glass tube is put in the centre between the hidden pots
- this is filled with water and cut flowers can be used
The Terrarium
- covers or almost covers plants with glass or transparent material - air flow is low
- moister air than in the home
- delicate plants can be grown
- planting depends on the conditions it is placed in
- ferns and green leaved plants in shady areas
- direct sunlight suitable for orchids, Bromeliads and exotic foliage plants
- containers can easily be found
- fern cases popular in 1850s
- glass and soldered designs becoming popular
- plant window popular in other countries
- Bottle Garden also used to be popular
The Plant Window
- has a glazed door which is opened to get to the plants
- gravel hides the pots of the plants
- has an external pane of glass
- popular in Germany, Scandinavia, Holland and some part of US
- usually built when the house is built
- suitable for Orchids, Anthuriums, Bougainvilleas, Columneas, Caladiums and Acalyphas
The Bottle Garden
- difficult to make
- needs special tools
- bottle must be clean and dry
- a paper cone is used to pour in gravel
- charcoal and seed cutting compost added
- compost is firmed with a tamper
- compost is then built up
- plants are added usually about six, with a trailer and tree like plant
- a fork and spoon end are used to plant the plants
- little water is needed
- seal with a stopper / lid
The Fishtank Garden
- uses an open topped glass container
- the same materials are used within the planter
- the ground can be landscaped
- suitable for ferns, crotons, fittonia, maranta, cryptanthus, Calathea, Selaginella, rhoeo
- flowering plants such as african violets, and orchids
- cacti and succulents should not be used
- needs to be well lit
- cover the top with a sheet of glass with bevelled edges
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