By Johnson 
Hi GPODers!
If you’ve been a part of the Garden Photo of the Day community for a while, the name Howard Nemeroff might ring a bell. Howard is the owner of Plant Parenting, Inc., an interior landscaping and container gardening company based in Chicago. He has shared his sensational designs several times over the years (One Window Box, Four Seasons; Howard’s Spring Container Displays; and Celebrating Summer and Welcoming Fall with Howard’s Containers, to name a few), and has been featured in Fine Gardening‘s print magazine (Accessorizing the Landscape with Seasonal Containers). Howard’s creations are anything but ordinary, and even after years of building containers for his clients, he is still managing to come up with completely new and unique designs. Here are some of his latest masterpieces.
Hi Fine Gardening! I wanted to share this new design. Fifteen tulips and three grape ranunculus in the center, purple pansy, and green vinca vine (Vinca major cv., Zones 7–9) outside. Hoping to achieve a hand-tied-bouquet effect.
This steel basket once used on a factory floor is repurposed by planting Ocean Mix pansies (Viola wittrockiana ‘Ocean Breeze Mix’, annual) on the outside and then weaving pussy willow collar around the rim. Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima, annual) completes the look (or could be wheat grass) to make ready for holiday eggs.
Lucky and goth: Combination of Iron Cross oxalis (Oxalis tetraphylla ‘Iron Cross’, Zones 8–11 or as an annual), ‘Black Mamba’ begonia (Begonia sp. ‘Black Mamba’, Zones 10–12 or as an annual), and ‘Club Moss’ selaginella (Selaginella kraussiana ‘Club Moss’, Zones 11–12 or as an annual). I actually added a couple of oyster mushroom plugs in here too, to attempt a woodsier look.
When I say alyssum at nose level, this delivers! What was done here: reused the alyssum and heuchera from spring, removed the hydrangeas and replaced with white caladium and begonias. Also, moved a couple of the alyssum from the right planter to the left as the shaded left side needed a little more balance, and replaced the gaps with Spotlight Lime ipomoea (Ipomoea batatas ‘Balspotime’, annual).
And a closer look at those entryway pots . . .
This planter is on a 46th-floor balcony! Low-maintenance cacti and succulents allow for some fabulous forms and color without endless trips to the faucet every day for watering. Be sure to check out the Plant Parenting Instagram to see the other container creations Howard made for this client: @plant_parenting.
Thank you so much for sharing your incredible container designs with us again, Howard! Your combinations are always a welcome reminder to think outside the box and try something new.
How are your container creations looking so far this year? Were your spring pots spectacular? Are your summer plantings starting to fill out? Consider sharing your container designs with Garden Photo of the Day! Follow the directions below to submit photos via email, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
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STUNNING BIRDBATH: Quality birdbath is sure to attract feathered friends and create a charismatic ambiance for your garden, patio, deck, yard, or other outdoor space. SHALLOW SHAPE: Shallow and wide bowl assures that multiple small birds can drink and bathe safely at the same time
BEAUTIFUL DESIGN: Luxurious and antique styling adds a touch of elegance to your garden or yard. DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: Polypropylene material resists rust and damage from the elements while the sturdy base prevents the birdbath from tipping over. IDEAL SIZE: Birdbath measures 20″ L x 20″W x 28″H, the perfect size for your yard, and includes a one-year manufacturer’s warranty from date of purchase.
Plant Covers Freeze Protection 10 ft x 30 ft Floating Row Cover 0.9oz/yd²
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Lightweight and Breathable MATERIAL Good for protecting Plant: the plant frost cover material is 0.74 oz/sq non-woven polypropylene fabric, which is lightweight, breathable, and durable. The plant blanket frost protection allows sunlight reach the plants, perfect for protecting plants from the damage of freeze or frost. Wide Application In your Garden Work. The plant row cover not only can work as a barrier against frost, but also can be a great tool for germination and good for rapid seedling growth. By using the fabric plant covers over your plant, you can start the plant earlier in the spring and extending the growing season of your plants. How to Use the Plant Covers: you can cover the plant covers for freeze over your the plants loosely directly and then secure the plant frost blanket with soil, stones or staples. You can also support the floating row covers with a hoop, make enough room for plants to breath and grow. You could also cut the plant covers into different sizes for different purposes.
Johnny’s Selected Seeds Connecta® Cultivation Kit
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Choose the right tool head for the job and switch out quickly with a simple push-button release. Includes the Connecta receiver, Connecta Collinear 4 head, Connecta Collinear 7 head, Connecta Contour Wire 4 head, Connecta Contour Wire 6 head, a sustainably harvested oiled ashwood handle, and a stainless-steel carrying clip.