Rainbow furniture |
Outdoor flower bud vase |
Clay Summer Lanters |
| Miy Dining Outdoor Decor C r e a t i o n s & I n s p i r a t i o n s "f o r t h e p u r e j o y o f m a k i n g t h i n g s" |
Miycreations Project article and photographs
by Maddylane
Outdoor Summer Entertaining
Summer Rocks ~ Miy Summer Dining Outdoor
Dining outdoor centerpiece ~ "Chicks & Hens on the Rocks
Sleek and stylish “Tabletop rock garden for an inviting ambiance”
Hands-on time: Under one hour.
Total time: Under an hour.
Skill: Super easy.
Project cost: Less than $20.00 for the supplies.
Materials & tools:
• Plain glass container, rectangle or square shaped
• Decorative rocks, pea gravel pebbles
in your choice of colours
• 3 hens & chickens (Sempervivum tectorum)
(or other rock garden plants of your choice)
• Moss
• Potting mix
• Water
• Large serving plate or platter
• Decorative leaves
• Clean cloth
(Materials for this project are available at garden centers and floral retailers.)
When it comes to entertaining outdoors, the simplest of presentations can create quite
a sleek atmosphere! Add a little garden therapy to your outdoor dining and entertaining
this summer. A mini tabletop rock garden creates quite an inviting ambience. You can
easily create your own centerpiece rock gardens in assorted containers. Transform
your outdoor dining area or a small space like a patio or balcony into an exotic
miniature oasis.
Rocks and alpine plants accustomed to growing on mountains make wonderful
container gardens for your deck, patio and balcony. This centerpiece container garden
is ideal for city or condo life or gardeners with limited growing space. Alpine plants can
be grown artfully in many different types of containers.
Begin by making sure that your chosen glass container is clean. Wash the glass vase
container with a mild detergent and pat dry. Select plants that are low-growing so they
won't obscure the rocks. Choose succulent plants like hens and chicks, saxifrages,
campanulas, dwarf rhododendrons, dianthus, rock cress, alpine poppies and dwarf
bulbs or annuals if you prefer. For an artful presentation, you can plant a combination
of herbs and annuals with foliage and bloom colors that harmonize with the rocks.
Select rocks with interesting textures and shapes. Prepare the rocks and pebbles by
washing them properly to remove any dust residue, and pat dry. You can experiment
with their placement in the container until you like the look of the composition. Place the
tallest rock toward the back of the container. Line the bottom of the container with small
rocks and pour the decorative white gravel pebbles over the rocks (or reverse the order
if preferred). Place a couple of spoonfuls of potting soil over the rocks. Gently loosen
the root balls of the chicks and hens and plant, leaving equal space between them. Add
moss at the sides of the glass container and around the chicks and hens plants.
Remember the larger finished container, the heavier it will be.
After planting, water lightly, and mist the soil every so often. Do not over-water as it will
collect in the bottom, become unsightly and be difficult to remove.
Place the centerpiece on a tray or directly onto the outdoor table. Keep it protected
from rain as too much water will not be good for the plants. The centerpiece can be left
outdoors all summer long, when fall comes, just bring your little oasis indoors.
Stay tune to next week’s project - summer Lantern’s with a twist turns up the summer
heat!
Watering: Keep in mind, since you are not planting in the ground, moisture evaporates
quickly. Be ready to water container plants lightly almost every day during the summer.
Variations: Use coloured rocks or pebbles such as turquoise, orange or lime green and
try placing candles between the chicks and hens. Make small planters in small glass
containers and have your guests take them home. Or make mini-planters, one for each
dinner guest, with their name on it.
This summer on vacation or while travelling, keep your eyes open for interesting rocks.
You'll be amazed at the variety you can find. We usually make rock collecting part of
every summer trip.
| © All Rights Reserved 2013 Photos and miycreations projects are copyrighted ~by MaddyLane Designs~ |
Make-it-yourself Home. Decor. Crafts. Fashions Creations & Inspirations
Easy outdoor dining tip: For a chick dining presentation, wrap a wired leaf around the cutlery |
Easy outdoor dining tip: Utilize large serving plates to serve snacks and display lanterns |
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Variations:
For weddings, birthday parties or other special events, create
special containers to use as centerpieces or to give as gifts to
your guests.
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