Charlie Hanger, Author at The Inspired Garden

September 18, 2021February 21, 2022

How to Design Fall Cottage Style Containers

“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I was a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.”
— George Eliot

September is a wonderful time to consider container planting. The vibrant colors and beautiful textures in a fall container create instant curb appeal– a refreshing update when your summer flowers start looking tired and worn out.

A common mantra gardeners use when designing containers is thrillers, fillers, and spillers. I use it as a guide when creating my planters, but love adding a few of my own whimsical elements.

Thrillers are the statement piece. The excitement. Literally the center of attention. My favorite fall thriller is soft grass. I love how the texture of the ends catch the sunlight and contrast with bold leaves and colors. Sometimes I use dried branches like curly willow. If I’m using a big pot I add both soft grass and curly willow. I often add a second or third level of thrillers, bringing in bright colors that really dazzle like celosia, tall asters, or Rudbeckia. The taller thriller always goes in the back of the container.

Once the thrillers are in it’s time for the fillers— basically the plants that fill up your pot. They don’t stand out or fight for attention with the thrillers, but simply blend in and tie it all together. For fall I love using cabbages, kale, pansies, and mums (big mounds of mums won’t do, but small, brightly colored ones will really brighten up your pots). Remember my general rule of thumb when planting — buy in odd numbers (3 or 5 for round containers, 4 if square) and definitely don’t mix colors in the same variety. For example, if you are buying mums, buy 3 and buy them in one color.

Next I go to the rim and plant my spillers. These are the plants that cascade over the sides and give your pot of touch of elegance. For fall I love to use ivy or coral bells. Coral bells come in many colors, but my favorites are the purple and green varieties. Added bonus– coral bells are perennials so you can plant them in the ground after, and they’ll be ready to use in next year’s containers.

The last step, a signature Inspired Garden touch, is adding dried decor. I love dried lotus as it gives some added texture and really finishes the pot off beautifully. Check your nursery for other dried flower and decor options. Pumpkins and gourds can also be incorporated into your design.

Once your container is complete and set in place, walk away from it. Planters look different up close than they do from the street. Check to see if all of the key elements stand out. Cut off a stem if it throws things off balance; trim back some leaves to show off a bloom.

And finally… don’t forget to water! Your container plants have been uprooted and are in shock, so they need to be watered frequently that first week. If you have pots under an awning you will need to water more often. If a plant looks wilted, water it slowly a few times a day until it perks up. Containers usually last a minimum of 6 weeks, depending on the weather. Colorful annuals will bloom through October, and the cabbages, pansies, and perennials should last well beyond the first frost.

If you would like to read more information on gardens and indoor plants check out our newsletter Get Inspired .

Happy fall and happy planting!

XO,

Laura

July 7, 2021February 21, 2022

Inspired Summer Annuals

“Summertime. It was a song. It was a season. I wondered if that season would ever live inside me.”
— Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Annuals bring magic to any garden. They grow quicker, bloom longer, and produce more flowers than perennials do. Available in a wide variety of vibrant colors, annuals can fill in gaps between seasons and add instant pops of color where needed. My five favorite early summer annuals are all deer-resistant and do well in extreme heat. Inspired Garden tip: resist the urge to put them in rows and plant in clusters of 5 instead.

Zinnias come in so many heights and colors, so use them in your taller sections and in borders. They make great cut flowers.

Cosmos can grow up to 6 feet tall, so place them in the middle or back of your garden. I love the airy texture of the foliage.

Angelonia grow super fast and attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Also known as summer snapdragons, they have spires of flowers and green, glossy foliage.

Vinca have shiny green leaves and five-petaled blooms in pink, red, white, lavender, or purple. Perfect for borders, these compact plants will grow to about 15 inches tall.

Marigolds are another great border plant, and bring bright bursts of oranges and yellows. They attract butterflies, as well as other insects that eat pests that can damage your plants. Marigolds are edible too!

If you would like to read more information on gardens and indoor plants check out our Get Inspired newsletter.

Happy planting!

Laura

June 22, 2021February 21, 2022

Spectacular Summer Containers

“Cause a little bit of summer is what the whole year’s all about.”
— John Mayer

Summer’s intense heat can leave your flowers looking wilted and sad unless you choose plants that actually thrive on hot sunny days. Packing a planter with heat-tolerant flowers will ensure a vibrant, gorgeous pot that can last through October.

To create a bright and cheery summer container, I rely on the tried and true thriller, filler, spiller technique. For anyone needing a refresher on this, thrillers are the eye-catching, taller plants that go in the center of the pot; fillers are midsize and surround and enhance the thriller; spillers are the dreamy, cascading plants that drape over the sides.

For the thriller component of a summer pot, I love using angelonias (Angelonia angustifolia), also known as summer snapdragons. Available in pretty shades of white, pink, purple, or lavender, this spiky stunner can easily withstand summer’s sweltering temps. Add salvia and heliotrope to bring interest to the height, and a stick of dracena for an added wow factor.

Geraniums are perfect fillers. Their bold, round blooms love full sun, and they will last until the first frost. Vinca is a smaller filler that blends beautifully with geraniums.

Finally, everyones loves the spillers of summer! My personal favorite is calibrachoa, also known as million bells. Many people choose petunias, but they tend to get leggy in the July heat and they need to be deadheaded. Calibrachoa come in a rainbow of colors in solids or stripes. Creeping jenny or potato vines are great add-ins for brightness.

Once you’ve chosen your container plants, keep them healthy by adding moisture control soil in the top ⅓ of the container. Moisture control soil has gel pellets (like you find in diapers!) that soak up and release water as needed.

Water your plants in the morning and try to get down to the base of the soil. If it’s really hot, consider moving the plants to the shade or water a second time in the evening. Try to avoid the middle of the day as the water evaporates too quickly.

If you would like to read more information on gardens and indoor plants check out our Get Inspired newsletter.

Happy planting!

Laura

April 28, 2021February 21, 2022

After Your Bulbs Bloom

“Daffodils, blossom and tulips jostle to the front of the stage in April. I love these early perennials: they may be more modest but they nearly all have that one special quality that a plant needs to transform your affections from admiration to affection – charm.”
— Monty Don

The first few weeks of spring are a magical time for gardeners, especially those who planted bulbs last fall. Your efforts are finally paying off! Tulips, daffodils, and crocus are popping up everywhere, and alliums and lilies will soon follow. It’s important to enjoy every moment as these blooms won’t stick around for long (tulips last only 2 weeks!). Once the flowers fade, they require a little extra care to ensure a beautiful return next spring.

Cut the stem that is attached to the dead bloom. This part of the plant is not contributing anything important at this point. The leaves, however, are very important and should not be cut. Despite appearing messy or unsightly once the flower has died, they absorb photosynthesis and energy that your bulb needs to survive the dormant months.

Over time, the leaves will begin to brown, dry up, and die back. Once they’ve reached this final stage, you can cut away the leaves and dispose of them. This is the last step in taking care of your bulbs until they emerge next spring.

Not sure when your bulbs will bloom, or just planning ahead for next year’s garden? This handy chart provides approximate bloom times for different bulbs, so you can enjoy a continuous parade of color all spring and summer.

Happy planting!
Lucinda

If you would like to read more information on gardens and indoor plants check out our Get Inspired newsletter.

April 22, 2021February 21, 2022

Warm-Toned Early Spring Flowers

“All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar.”
— Helen Hayes

In our last newsletter we discussed cool-toned perennials that can be added to a garden in early spring. Today we’ll share our favorite warm-toned early bloomers, boasting beautiful shades of pink, peach, orange, and plum.

First on our list is geum (Geum coccineum), a colorful garden filler that can grow up to 3 feet tall in 1-2 years.

Geum is known for its delicate, hairy foliage and gorgeous cup-like blossoms, in colors ranging from pale blush to deep orange. The flowers are delicate & papery, like a poppy. They tend to be short-lived, but are well worth the few weeks that they bloom. The best part about geum is that it forms nice full foliage in bushels and has lots of flowers, making it an ideal candidate for a spot that needs something larger to fill it up. Geum requires full sun and well draining soil. As this plant is nice and tall, it makes a great backdrop for an early spring garden.

Next up is Veronica (Veronica spicata), sometimes referred to as “Royal Candlesticks” because of its cylindrical spires. Medium in height, Veronica goes well in the middle tier of a garden.

Each stalk boasts hundreds of tiny little flowers that come in shades of bubblegum pink, rich warm purple, and white. (Note: this perennial also comes in cool tones like deep periwinkle and dark purple!) Veronica is a versatile flower in that it can tolerate both full sun and partial shade. It will do best with at least 6 hours of full sunlight a day, but if you are trying to liven up a more dappled, shady spot in your garden, this is the plant for you. Veronica begins blooming in mid April and can continue all the way into late June, bringing some light to your garden right after the winter months.

Last, but certainly not least, is Sweet William (Dianthus).

Sweet William is a small clumped perennial with feathery petals. The blooms come in peach, baby pink, and bubblegum pink with a red center. Sweet William enjoy full sun but can tolerate part shade, and prefer to be in draining soil. It is drought tolerant, meaning it can handle drier soils. You are more likely to overwater it than underwater. This early bloomer kicks off in late April and benefits from deadheading, which helps to extend its blooming period.

All of the plants mentioned above compliment the cool toned flowers outlined in our last newsletter. When planted together, these cool and warm tones create an early spring dreamscape. We planted a garden last year mixing warm and cool tones and it produced a color effect that reminded us of a sunset. The result is featured below:

Adding pops of stock and vinca annuals in a variety of warm and cool tones help support the lowest layer of the garden and punctuates the color contrast. Perhaps the most interesting thing about this early spring garden is how some flowers stand out in the sun and others shine in the shade. Either way, this botanical masterpiece is something that will really make you look forward to the early days of spring.

Happy planting!
Lucinda

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April 6, 2021February 21, 2022

Cool-Toned Early Spring Flowers

“Blue color is everlastingly appointed by the deity to be a source of delight.”
— John Ruskin

Did you know that spring blooms happen in two waves?

Early spring begins the last week of March and extends to the first week of May. Late spring starts in May and finishes at the end of June (June 20th marking the first day of summer). When planning a garden, many people tend to focus on flowers that are iconically tied to late spring (hello daisies and coneflowers!) and last through summer. Highly underrated and often overlooked are the varieties that bloom in the first six weeks of the season. These early spring flowers are vital during those early days of March and April, providing pretty pops of color after a dull, grey winter.

Today we will explore our garden team’s three favorite cool toned early spring perennials. One remarkable aspect of early spring bloomers is that there are many options in shades of blue and purple. As blue is the rarest of all flower colors, we suggest taking advantage of this rare opportunity to include it in your garden.

Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata) is a low-growing ground spreader with baby blue, periwinkle, lavender, or white flowers. Requiring dappled sunlight or part sun/part shade, this wildflower will continue growing new blooms throughout the six week early spring period. Woodland phlox can also be planted in full sun but will likely need extra watering to keep it from drying out. Beautiful when placed on the edge of an elevated garden bed, it will eventually cascade down the sides. Woodland phlox can take over an area in a couple of seasons, so make sure you are managing its outward growth.

Forget-me-nots (Myosotis) bloom in calming shades of grey blue, baby blue, aquamarine, periwinkle, purple, as well as white, yellow, and pink. Like the woodland phlox, it’s a low grower and spreads easily. It can adapt to full sun, but prefers areas with dappled sun or part shade. An important thing to note about forget-me-nots is they require a good amount of moisture and will need to be watered more intensively than other flowers, especially in hotter areas.

A charming medieval legend illuminates how forget-me-nots were named, and became a symbol of eternal love and remembrance. The story goes that a French knight was walking along a river with his lady, bent down to pick a little blue flower for her, then fell into the river because of his heavy armour. Before sinking, he tossed the flower to her shouting “ne m’oubliez pas!” (“forget me not!”)

Our final pick, salvia (Salvia nemorosa), is a tall plant with soft oval leaves and spires of vibrant purple flowers. A pollinator staple, salvia thrives in full sun, making it the perfect choice for garden beds that tend to be drier. Our favorite varietal of salvia is called “caradonna” (above left). Caradonna salvia is one of the deepest purples you can get from a flower, making it a real show stopper in any garden. Salvia also comes in shades of blue, blue-violet, and lighter purple, and creates great contrast with pastel colored flowers. Salvia will begin blooming mid April and die off mid May, but if you trim back the flower stalks to the leaves at the base, you will get a second round of blooms that are slightly more spread out, but just as vibrant as the first round.

All three of these cool toned early spring perennials can be paired with annuals like stock (Matthiola incana) and vinca (Catharanthus roseus). Both stock and vinca come in cooler tones, like lavender and periwinkle. An interesting option is to pair some of your cool toned early spring perennials with warmer toned selections of stock and vinca to create a bold and beautiful visual contrast. In the next newsletter we will go over some warm toned early spring perennials that can be worked in to further accomplish this look.

These cool toned early spring perennials are often complimented by annuals like stock (Matthiola incana) and vinca (Catharanthus roseus). Both stock and vinca come in cooler tones, like lavender and periwinkles. An interesting choice is to pair some of your cool tone early spring perennials with warmer toned selections of stock and vinca to create a bold and beautiful visual contrast. In the next newsletter I will go over some warm toned early spring perennials that can be worked in to further accomplish this look.

Until next time!
Lucinda

If you would like to read more information on gardens and indoor plants check out our Get Inspired newsletter.

March 28, 2021February 21, 2022

Curb Appeal and Foundation Shrubs

“Nature has many scenes to exhibit, and constantly draws a curtain over this part or that. She is constantly repainting the landscape and all surfaces, dressing up some scene for our entertainment. Lately we had a leafy wilderness; now bare twigs begin to prevail, and soon she will surprise us with a mantle of snow. Some green she thinks so good for our eyes that, like blue, she never banishes it entirely from our eyes, but has created evergreens.”
—Henry David Thoreau

We often hear how important curb appeal is. #curbappeal on Instagram has over 740,000 posts! If you talk to any realtor about selling your house, the first thing they’ll say is—make a strong first impression. The outside of a house is what people first see, whether browsing through online listings or driving through a neighborhood. It may not sound fun or sexy, but planting the right foundation shrubs is a crucial step toward boosting a home’s curb appeal.

Clients ask for pops of color throughout their beds, but they hesitate when I suggest replacing their foundation shrubs first– despite the fact that they are usually overgrown or dying. They often say “I hate my shrubs, just cover them with flowers!” to which I respond “that’s like putting lipstick on a pig!” All the pretty flowers in the world won’t hide unsightly shrubbery.

Foundation shrubs are the plants along the foundation of your house. As the backdrop of your garden, they should be evergreen. Evergreens stay green all year long and don’t lose their leaves. Look for shrubs with attractive leaf color and shape. While flowery hydrangeas, azaleas, rhododendrons, and roses are lovely, they only bloom for half the year and the rest of the time are just branches. Use them as accent shrubs and place them in front or to the side of the foundation shrubs. Make sure your shrubbery enhances the features of your house, like a porch railing or beautiful windows, not hide them.

Keeping the foundation shrubs in a simple arrangement allows the flowers and accent shrubs to really steal the show. Shrubs that are more natural in shape usually work better than hedges, which tend to be heavy and bulky.

Here is my go-to list of foundation shrubs:

Boxwoods

Nothing says cottage garden better than boxwoods. The clean shapes and bright lush green leaves provide a beautiful backdrop for any garden. The most fun part about a boxwood is that it can be cut into fantastic shapes which add a little whimsy to your garden. Boxwoods require full sun to part shade to grow properly and tend to be very hearty plants. The only threat to the success of your boxwood is boxwood blight, a widespread fungal disease that browns the leaves of the plant. There are blight resistant boxwoods that are guaranteed to resist fungal damage.

Schip Laurel

When someone needs height and has a massive space to fill, this shrub fits the bill. The dense green leaves provide lots of coverage and the dark color creates fantastic contrast against lighter colored houses. The Schip laurel can handle full sun but prefers partial shade. This shrub is highly prunable and easy to form into a hedge. If Schip laurel is too large for your space, it’s smaller cousin, the cherry laurel, is a good alternative for smaller hedges and boundaries.

Holly

The holly shrubs I recommend don’t look anything like the pointy leaf and berry version commonly used for Christmas decorations. The ones I love come in a variety of sizes and create a classic manicured look. They actually look a lot like boxwoods, but are less expensive. They grow much faster than boxwoods, so they are perfect if you need more height– but this also means they require a lot of pruning. Hollies are hardy plants that do well in both sun and shade, and in various soil conditions, which make them a favorite for people with “hard to grow” spots on their property.

False Holly

Oh, how I love the variegated leaves of false holly! They contrast nicely against the other green shrubs and add a little pizazz to your foundational shrub arrangement. Like the hollies mentioned above, these are good growers that thrive in various soils and different sun exposures– even deep shade. An entire row of this shrub might be a bit much for some houses, but as an accent piece they can create a real pop of interest.

-Laura

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March 24, 2021February 21, 2022

Designing Early Spring Planters

“Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!”
– Sitting Bull

Who doesn’t love the early days of spring? Bulbs are popping, days are longer, and flip flops are back in the rotation. Celebrate the end of a long drab winter with welcoming pots packed with enchanting early spring flowers.

To create a bright and cheery spring container, I rely on the tried and true thriller, filler, spiller technique. For anyone needing a refresher on this, thrillers are the eye-catching, taller plants that go in the center of the pot; fillers are midsize and surround and enhance the thriller; spillers are the dreamy, cascading plants that drape over the sides.

With their dainty petals, wide range of colors, and long graceful stems, snapdragons are my top pick for a show-stopping early spring thriller plant. Add soft grass and curly willow branches to bring even more drama to the mix. Nemesia provide a pretty contrast with the snapdragons and should be placed outside of the grass and branches.

For the middle height and filler level, I like using osteospermum (African daisies) and pansies. Osteospermum come in an assortment of bright colors with a pretty purple center, and provide the ideal height so your container doesn’t look too flat. If you are going for a monochromatic look, fill in with pansies in different shades of purple and blue; if you want something more vibrant, plant pansies in every color of the rainbow.

My favorite spillers for early springtime are bacopa, lamium, and creeping Jenny. Spillers soften the edges of the container as they tumble toward the ground. They root the pot to the earth, and give the illusion that the flowers are growing naturally right out of the container.

Early spring containers are filled with cold-tolerant plants, but it’s important to keep an eye out for frost warnings or cold snaps, and move the pots indoors as needed. These temperamental beauties will also wilt in high heat, so shift them to a shady spot on sunnier days. They won’t last much longer than 8 weeks, but the fleeting beauty of early spring flowers is part of what makes them so magical.

Happy spring!

Laura

If you would like to read more information on gardens and indoor plants check out our Get Inspired newsletter.

March 17, 2021February 21, 2022

Annuals vs. Perennials

“Every flower blooms in its own time.”
— Ken Petti

Every client wants a garden that blooms from early spring through fall. They want a variety of flowers that peak at different times, and colors that pop for three straight seasons. And… they want it to come back year after year with minimal effort. It’s a lot to ask for, but it can be done with a mix of perennials and annuals.

When planning a garden, I suggest choosing 85%-90% perennials, and 10%-15% annuals. Planting both, and carefully selecting the right plants for your zone, will produce a parade of color from April through October. Before choosing your favorites, it’s important to understand the differences between them.

Perennials return every year. Their blooms typically last a few weeks, but there are some varieties that last for months. It can take a few years for some perennials to reach their full potential (which is often pictured on the tag when you purchase them), but your patience will definitely be rewarded. They are low maintenance since they don’t need to be cleared out at the end of the season or replanted year after year. Some perennials only last 3-5 years, but others can last a lifetime.

Some of my favorites include coneflowers, astilbe, and coreopsis.

Annuals have one life cycle, and therefore will not return each year. But— they bring the magic to any garden. Annuals produce many more flowers than perennials and bloom for a much longer period of time. If there are sections of your garden that don’t bloom until early summer, you can throw in some annuals for instant color. They take a bit more effort because they need to be planted each year and cleared out at the end of the season, but because of their shallow roots they require less digging than perennials. Keep in mind that some annuals are meant for cooler weather and others for warmer weather.

Some of my favorites include zinnias, snapdragons, and marigolds.

It takes a little planning to get the garden of your dreams, but identifying the gaps and tucking in annuals as needed will create a colorful show for months on end.

Happy Planting!

Laura

If you would like to read more information on gardens and indoor plants check out our Get Inspired newsletter.

March 17, 2021February 21, 2022

Easy Plants to Get You Started

As we settle in for the cold winter months ahead, we want our homes to feel peaceful and cozy. Adding just one plant can completely change the energy in your space, bringing a sense of calm to any room. Yet for some of my clients, caring for indoor plants can be stressful. They may dream of having a houseful, but after killing a few they’re nervous to dive back in. The good news is that some plants are practically indestructible! For those who feel botanically challenged, or are just starting out, here are three of my favorite easy-to-care-for plants:

ZZ
Zamioculcas zamiifolia

The ZZ is one of the most popular plants we offer. Perfect for the forgetful plant owner, ZZ can survive for months without much care. Water them once a month and they’ll be fine. While happiest in bright indirect light, ZZ’s will tolerate low and even fluorescent lighting.

Is it fake? Nope. The sheen of their smooth, dark green leaves has many fooled. ZZ’s lush foliage fills out a pot beautifully and makes a lovely gift for friends. They come in a variety of sizes.

Snake
Sansevieria trifasciata

Snake plants, aka Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, don’t like a lot of attention. They actually prefer being left alone, so water no more than once a month. They do best in bright indirect, but will be okay in bright light or even a shady corner.

Their long, vibrant leaves provide a striking contrast among your other plants. They come in a variety of sizes and colors. The snake plant is said to clean air better than most other indoor plants as it has the ability to absorb excessive amounts of carbon monoxide. It also emits oxygen and filters other toxins from the air such as benzene, xylene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde.

Pothos
Epipremnum aureum

Pothos is arguably the easiest of all houseplants to grow, even if you have a habit of forgetting to water. They are very forgiving, and will bounce back if it gets too dry. Ideally, pothos should be watered once a week. The trailing vine has pointed, heart-shaped leaves that are sometimes variegated with white, yellow, or pale green. While pothos like bright indirect light, it can thrive in areas that don’t get a lot of sunlight. They do well with fluorescent lighting, making it ideal for offices and dorm rooms.

Happy Planting!

Laura

If you would like to read more information on gardens and indoor plants check out our Get Inspired newsletter.