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12/08/2008


my photos

TERRACOTTA POTS

In my garden, this time of year brings with it gaps. To fill in some of these, I place Echeveria in old terracotta pots amongst the plants. Not fully hardy in our UK climate, these must be brought back inside before the first frosts.



Last Winter I lost many old pots to frost, and having accumulated two large buckets full of crocks old and new, I need no more. This being the case I decided to place the breakages between plants and I am quite liking the effect. This may not be suitable if you have cats, dogs or rabbits around, or children come to that!



This was a favourite blue glazed pot of mine which I broke when having one of my clumsy moments. Not wanting to smash to smithereens, I placed it in a shady corner amongst some ferns, and look how the ivy has discovered it. I rather like the effect the ivy is having on the pot!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Having the breakages between plants -- do you think it will deter cats? Might be a solution worth trying since stray cats are always making messes in my garden. I quite like that first photo, Louise. Lovely colour contrasts.

Simone said...

The large broken pot will be a great place for little creatures to hide in. I wonder what you will find lurking in the pot later in the year!

VP said...

Hi Louise,

I've managed to overwinter my potted Echeveria outside. On the relatively warm patio they seem to do OK. Perhaps I've been lucky?
xx

Hope to see you on Friday...

VP said...

Oh and your 'Anonymous' quote is Sara Coleridge apparently...

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I have the same problem with terracotta breakages. I've switched to stone and that seems to help. I also rub them with buttermilk and moss to create a short cut to an aged look. It works!

Love your little visiting woodmouse!

life in red shoes said...

I so look forward to your garden pics, always beautiful and inspiring. You would gasp if you could see the echeveria (hens and chicks to me) in California! They are the size of shrubs, must be all that sunshine and no freezing temps.

Suzanne said...

I love the look of that plant. It looks like it would be real hardy. Goes to show I need to learn a bit more about gardening. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

What a good idea and as Simone says a great wildlife refuge. xx

Gina said...

I've been having trouble leaving comments here for some reason Louise.. hope this one gets through!
What a classic potted plant..I too scatter (many) broken pots around and poke little pieces of coloured glazed pots amongst the garden walls and in little dishes with sea glass and shells etc..seem to have more breakages than ever..thanks for Jesse :D

Lavinia said...

What a great idea. I hate to discard broken crockery too. There's always some use or other in the garden....

The last shot...stunning. The ivy goes very well around this blue glazed pot. Good choice.