How To Decorate With Potted Plants

Potted plants have such an important place in the decorative plan of both house and garden, that no home owner can afford to overlook them. Our grandmothers used potted geraniums to brighten indoor bay windows, but it is only recently that plants in pots have been used extensively, in America, to decorate the exterior of the house to emphasize such architectural features as windows, doors, steps and porches. In the garden, too, potted plants are invaluable to bring color and interest to the spot where it is most needed to create a beautiful outdoor picture.

This outdoor use of potted plants came to us from England. The English introduced this decorative custom from Italy, and the Italians, probably brought the idea from the Orient, long ago. Today, few English or Italian gardens are complete without some plants in pots, placed singly or in groups.

For them, flower beds are no problem. They simply cluster potted plants at any place where a dash of color is needed at the time. This spot may he a shady place or a drab corner, around an ancient fountain, or a low, rustic shelf built around the base of a hoary tree. Again, these potted posies become gay borders along garden walks.

The size and shape of the impromptu flower bed is limited only by the number of blooming plants in pots available. Sometimes these potted plants can be most effectively arranged in tiers or in pyramid style, placing the taller pots at the back or in the center, with the smaller ones in the foreground or around the outside. This arrangement is particularly attractive when placed against a wall or around a tree trunk.

For a more realistic treatment, pots of geraniums or any blooming plants may be sunk to their rims in the open ground. When blossoms are over, the pots may be lifted out and replaced with other plants in full bloom. In no other way can flowers be enjoyed in shaded areas.

Prim rows of geraniums placed neatly on terraces and porches, on window. shelves, balconies, and on long flights of steps leading to second-story balconies give a decorative pattern through ribbons of color. It is especially effective to have the color of the flowers harmonize with the window trim or brightly painted front doors.

In order to enjoy and appreciate a garden, it should have a point of accent upon which the attention may be focused. This prevents monotony. How better could this accent be achieved than by the clever placing of blooming plants in important spots? In this way, the point of accent can easily be changed so that different parts of the house and garden may be emphasized.

In fact, both warmth and gayiety are added to bare gardens when colorful plants are so placed as to relieve a dreary effect. So when potted plants are placed on steps leading to a doorway, they give a hospitable welcome. Likewise, harsh lines of posts are broken by pots placed on top and at the base. Unsightly objects, such as garbage cans, may be hiddden by placing potted plants around them.

There are many plants besides geraniums, that are suitable to grow in pots. Why not try hyacinths for spring, lantanas, fuchsias, daisies or cool, green ferns for summer and petunias for fall?

Since the flower pot is a part of the decorative plant unit, it should be carefully selected to conform with the material of the house. Terracotta and wood are the best materials for plant pots and fortunately these blend with the wood brick, or stucco house.

But remember, no matter what type your house or garden may be, that nothing will brighten dark corners or soften harsh lines and so perfectly complete the outdoor picture, as blossoming potted plants that are colorfully decorative.