Paperwhites Blooming

Posted on | December 18, 2011 | 7 Comments

paperwhites blooming in rocks Paperwhites Blooming

My paperwhites began to bloom on the first cold day of winter. The long white roots tangle between the dark gray rocks I gathered from the beach. The scent: heady and sweet.

Category: diy, garden

Paperwhites with Periwinkle Shells

Posted on | November 21, 2011 | 12 Comments

The tide was way out on Sunday morning and the periwinkle shells grouped together in a long curving band the length of the beach. I gathered a few in my hand inspecting all the different shapes and colors. I thought, “What could I make with these?” I dropped a few handfuls into my bag and kept walking. I spotted a group of perfectly round dark smooth rocks at the end of beach; dark grays rocks are a particular favorite. I have bowls with different collections scattered around the house.

When I got home I filled a large glass footed urn with gray rocks mixed with broken mussel shells. I nestled five paperwhite bulbs in a circle within the rocks and filled the container with fresh water; making sure I didn’t add too much because my bulbs could rot.

The tiny little periwinkle shells got a cold fresh water bath while I planted individual bulbs in dirt. I picked up the the terra cotta urns from a recent trip to Snug Harbor Farm in Maine. I scattered the periwinkle shells around the bulb just covering the dirt. I liked the contrasts of the rough bulb, tiny twisting shells, and smooth terra cotta. I added a few more and watered the bulbs. Hopefully by Christmas I’ll have paperwhites blooming in my windowsills and on my kitchen table.

Category: diy, garden

An Antique Terrarium For My House

Posted on | November 7, 2011 | 17 Comments

Do you remember the beautiful antique terrarium I picked up last fall? It’s been sitting in my bedroom collecting dust. The stand had been turned into Greg’s clothing rack, so sad.

Over the weekend I took a trip up to Snug Harbor Farm in Kennebunk to gather plants to finally fill it. I decided I’m tired of waiting for the “fun” house projects till the renovation is complete. A beautiful terrarium can live amongst paint cans and tools? Yes, a bit unconventional but really fun.

My terrarium has a removable glass pitched roof. I liked the idea of having a a tall, dramatic focal plant and then smaller plants and mosses in different textures and shades. When I was choosing plants I didn’t factor in enough room for planes of just moss. I would recommend bringing the actually terrarium with you; so you don’t buy too many. Just like in the composition of an abstract painting you need resting spots for the eye. Plus, you need room for plants to grow. I imagined my terrarium to be a fern patch found in the woods of New Hampshire.

Below how I made my terrarium plus, a list of plants I choose with the help of the wonderful staff at Snug Harbor Farm. All of the plants below prefer cooler conditions with low sunlight.

Mother fern
East Indian Holly Fern arachniodes simplicior
Birdnest fern
Jerrissa (tree like)
Button fern
Sellaginella “krassiara area’ yellow spikemoss
Baby tears
French staghorn (wish I could have used this but it didn’t fit; needs to stay a little dryer then the rest)
Myrtle
Cushion spikemoss
Variegated Creeping fig
Dwarf pilea
Variegated acorus gramineus (spiky grass)

All the plants I choose for my project.

Scatter rocks in the bottom of the terrarium.

Cut a screen to fit the base and place over the rocks.

Scatter a layer of soil in the bottom. As I added plants I added more soil creating higher and lower areas.

I made the composition with a center element and smaller plants around. Here I’m playing around with different center elements. I thought the Jerrissa would be really beautiful but it was too tall even after a little haircut.

I ended use a fern as my center element and smaller ferns and moss in different textures.

Give the terrarium a look from the side to make sure you have some nice height with some room for growth.

I didn’t use all the plants I purchased. I planted them in small terra cotta urns I picked up Snug Harbor Farm.

Every room has been a victim of the renovation. Why not have a beautiful terrarium?

Category: diy, garden

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