Geraniums in Faux Boix Planters
It's always a joy to see beautiful potted plants displayed around the farm.
Every year, I take out many of my outdoor ornamental urns and fill them with plants. They do well outside in the warmer months and look great arranged around my home. Last week, I asked my head gardener, Ryan McCallister, to fill the faux bois planters on the terrace outside my Winter House Green Parlor with a variety of different geraniums. The leaves of these plants can vary widely in shape, texture, color, and even scent, making them so interesting when planted together.
Enjoy these photos.
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- Several years ago, I purchased a very interesting group of faux bois planters from The Tropics, Inc. in Los Angeles. The Tropics, Inc. is a leader in the rare specimen plant and tree industry and carries thousands of tropical plants, trees, orchids, and decorative accessories. I decided these planters would look great on the terrace outside my Winter House Green Parlor.
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- This year, I thought the planters would look lovely potted up with geraniums. These sun-loving plants are loved for their interesting and aromatic leaves, colorful blooms, and versatility both in the garden and in containers.
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- I enjoy them most for the foliage. These will look so nice in the giant urns.
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- Ryan starts by adding a generous sprinkling of Osmocote – small plant food particles known as prills. These prills coat a core of nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
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- I also use Miracle-Gro Organic Outdoor Potting Mix. It contains a quick-release natural fertilizer that feeds plants for up to two months.
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- Ryan spreads the soil mix evenly across the planter. Geraniums prefer moist, fertile, well-drained soil.
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- When planting several specimens in one container, it’s a good idea to plan the arrangement first. Be sure the pot can accommodate all the plants’ root systems and that the pot is big enough for all the selected plants when full grown.
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- Also arrange them so all the plants can be seen. Here, Ryan placed the larger ones on both ends of the planter with smaller plants in the center.
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- Geranium leaves are typically palmate or deeply lobed, meaning the leaf segments radiate from a central point, as in a hand or fan.
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- Leaf color is usually green, but many feature variegation and different color markings.
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- This variety has a red to bronze color leaf, adding more interest even when there are no flowers.
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- Ryan makes a hole twice the diameter of the root ball.
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- The hole is also as deep as the root ball.
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- Ryan carefully removes the plant from its pot and teases the root ball to stimulate growth before planting. This is called scarifying.
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- As each specimen is planted, Ryan tamps the soil down to prevent any air holes and ensure good contact.
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- Some of the plants are blooming. Geranium flowers often grow in clusters along long stems and come in a wide spectrum of colors, including soft pastels, vibrant magentas, deep reds, violet-blues, and even white.
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- Ryan also makes sure there is enough space between plants, so they are not overcrowded and have enough room as they grow.
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- Ryan mixes the plants together instead of planting like foliage in one pot. Geraniums prefer full sun, but some varieties can also tolerate indirect sun or partial shade.
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- I think the potted faux bois planters look perfect with the geraniums. These plants will grow nicely and provide color and interest to this terrace.
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- If you’re thinking of filling planters outside your home, consider geraniums – they’re easy to care for and add charm and beauty to any space all season long.
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