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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Wednesday Vignette: Taking out the Trash.

Wednesday Vignette is hosted each week by Anna at Flutter and Hum.  Click here to join in the fun.

Some people think that buying plants is like throwing money away.  At Wells Medina Nursery, they've saved a step by simply throwing plants in the trash.


Not really the trash but rather well-planted galvanized metal garbage cans, a stylish way to section off this work area.  One would imagine that there are a lot of unused lids  around that would make fun planters for succulents.  If one had a large enough pond, wouldn't it be an interesting statement to see a group of these succulent gardens floating on the surface like desert lily pads?  Sorry for the digression.  Have you used these as planters?  I'm really groovin' on them, especially the second from the left with the pampas grass hair  and can see giant earrings hanging from the handles, one of those tree faces used on the front and maybe a bowling ball necklace around the bottom.  

Happy Wednesday!

21 comments:

  1. Leave it to you to turn the handles into something decorative and fun. Do it! (and the lid planter too)

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    1. If I could only find the space... Maybe I could do it out front. If I filled the bottom with rocks they'd be to heavy to cart away easily.

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  2. They look great but here I'd worry about how hot they'd get - I'd be just the person to run into one and burn myself in my own garden.

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    1. I didn't even think about the heat factor. Say, that might make them great agave planters here. Cut the bottoms out, fill half with lava rock and top with 2/3 potting soil 1/3 perlite. Hmm.

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  3. I know Helen Dillon in Ireland has used this in her exotic garden. Using galvanised trash cans as planters is still very unusual in British Isles :) what I like about your photo is that they are all different!

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    1. Wells Medina Nursery does everything they do with great panache!

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  4. I think this is a look that you'd need to commit to -- a single can would look tacky, but three or more and you've got a design! A tip from somebody who does big pots every year: make sure they're in place before filling and planting!

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    1. Great tip! A lesson learned from experience perhaps?

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  5. Oh, yes, I'm into the trash cans for deep planters. Love them painted black this year. The lids as shallow hanging planters? hmmm.....

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    1. I've admired yours on your blog and love the idea of painting them so that you could totally change the look every year or season. When there are enough layers of paint. sanding to various depths would create an interesting look.

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    1. It would be fun but I'd need to find more space.

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  7. We have them planted up with veggies in one of our display rooms at work. I love your idea to use the lids for succulents planters - especially with them floating on water. What a great visual contradiction! Absolutely LOVE it!!! Please do it! :)

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    1. I would if I had a large enough pond. Can't wait to visit your place and see these in person!

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  8. I love the idea! Of course, this is coming from a woman who uses light shades from her husband's job as planters, so maybe I'm a little odd? The earrings would be a fantastic touch along with a face, how fun! Floating succulents in a pond would be awesome, too.

    I've binge-read your older posts the other day and enjoyed every one. I was telling my husband about the theft of the pots from your garden and we both sighed. It's happened here too, in the middle of nowhere. And the culprits had to use a shovel (they stole hostas) which makes you wonder how long they were prowling about? Oh well, what goes around comes around. Thank you for the smiles and the inspiration!

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    1. Oh Karen, I always dream of moving out into the country when things like this happen. How sad and disappointing that it happened to you way out there! People make good and bad choices wherever they are I guess. All of the most interesting gardeners are a bit odd so good for you!

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  9. I've seen this done with all the same plants, like a hedge. The mixed plantings make it even more interesting (a natural step away from the watering tanks that have become so common). I hope you never stop digressing, no apologies necessary.

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    1. A hedge with a rectangular stock tank garbage can pattern would be fun in the right space.

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  10. I love them just the way they are. Adding to them might be kind of like gilding the lily. They would work well with other galvanized planters too.

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    1. The simplicity and clean lines really are the attraction here. You're right, a grouping of a variety of galvanized planters would be lovely!

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  11. I just can't seem to warm up to this look, even though the planting inside always look great. Painting would work I guess, but the original is so no-maintenance it seems a shame to ruin that.
    I have been eyeing one of the bigger ones sold as stock tanks for farm animals to drink out of. For some odd reason I'm ok with that use!?

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.