DIY Recycled Materials Hanging Basket

My husband helped me re-purpose this fire pit screen. We never liked the way it was attached to our fire pit, so we removed it. And it occurred to us that it would make a pretty cool hanging plant basket. I used some black weed cloth as a liner, and filled it with a cactus mix and a bunch of succulents.

DIY Inspiration or Buy It!

Flora Grubb at Flora Grubb Gardens has some gorgeous ideas for holiday bling that revolves around natural materials and plants.
Check out this Christmas ornament idea:

I have seen these plain glass ornaments at craft stores each year, and I'm rather embarrassed to admit that this idea never came to me! I would love to try this!
Thank you, Flora Grubb (her real name!).

Elements -- Arbors

Here are two examples of Arbors. These are large scale commercial arbors at The Getty Center. They are a wonderful inspiration for the homeowner, particularly with a modern house. They have strong lines, simplicity, and strong structure. This sort of arbor would add a lot architecturally to a dwelling.

Vines are probably the most under-used plant group. When they are grown over arbors, they can create a welcoming seating area, or shade a walkway. Vines provide an opportunity to locate greenery and flowers above the viewer. They have a similar effect to a flowering tree canopy, but are more flexible, and easier to use in small spaces.
Two of the most dramatic vines that thrive in So Cal are Wisteria and Bougainvillea.

Field Trip: Rolling Greens Part Two

More pretty things from Rolling Greens!

I love hanging things -- baskets, bromeliads, lights. When hanging something decorative, you are able to use space that is often not otherwise accessible. It is an opportunity for the eye to look up, to supplement the view from a window where planting is not an option. To fill out the space under a tree's canopy, or string lights across a patio and change your experience of the space. Here are some nice ideas for hanging elements and great containers:

Glass planters for tiny plants, like succulents

Lovely metal basket

Epiphytes on chains

Love the Shapes

Mercury

Field Trip: The Meditation Gardens

This garden at the Self-Realization Fellowship in Encinitas, California is a wonderful example of using common, easy-to-grow, even boring plants, and creating an uncommonly beautiful space. The main garden is filled with Liriope, Clivia, Begonia, Pittosporum, Ivy, Baby Tears, Spider Plant, Asparagus "fern", and Sword Fern in shade and Sago Palm, Date Palm, Mandevilla, Dracaena, in part sun. None of these plants are very interesting to a plant buff, but they are all used to their greatest potential here. Seeing them in this setting reminded me exactly why they are such go-to plants for filler. The wonderful climate is obviously an advantage here, and everything looks its best. There is a feeling of serenity and love in this space, also, and I'm sure that went far in making such a good impression on me.

Living Succulents

These charming figures reside in the San Diego Botanical Gardens in Encinitas. They are just one example of the beautiful sights to see there. 
I have to get out the chicken wire and peat moss and try this on a smaller scale, though I don't expect to reach this level of artistry anytime soon!

Field Trip: Rolling Greens Part One

Fun! Fun! Fun!

It's a wonderful place to see a selection of sculptural, colorful, climate-appropriate plants.

And a great place to get ideas!

Love the Olive Tree in a Pot

Yes, this is $200, but it is lovely!

Cool basket

Nice, but not knocking my socks off.

Elements -- Water

Water can be a powerful component in a garden. It buffers noise, adds motion, and provides soothing sound.
Young children LOVE to play in water. In fact, it's one of the few things that can keep them busy for more than ten minutes at a time! The children's garden at The Huntington Gardens has a few wonderful water features. Here are the small fountains. The fountains and the snaking river of large stones connecting them, makes for a beautiful mix of materials.

The Papyrus is at home here, and softens with its texture and movement.

The kids are immediately attracted to the water.

Silverlake Library Landscape

Took a trip to the new Silverlake Library branch, and loved the combinations of succulents and drought-tolerant plants.

Senecio is a beautiful groundcover. That blue is so striking, and the stick-like form is a nice compliment to other succulents' rosettes.

The Agaves in this planting are lovely.

The mixture of textures blows me away!

A lot of inspiration here!

Kyoto, Japan

These are some amazing gardeners in a spectacular garden.
It feels more like a magical forest than a planned garden. And check out The Golden Pavilion!
IMHO, everyone who loves gardens needs to visit Japan.

Fun

I love DIY's, cacti and robots, what more can you say?

Found these on:

http://paradisexpress.blogspot.com/2010/08/instructables.html