Homemade Arrangement for Mom!

It may seem early to be thinking about Mother’s Day (May 8, 2011), but it really isn’t too far away. Plus, some projects produce better results if completed ahead of schedule, if you will. Instead of picking out a ready made arrangement for mom (or grandma) this year, why not help your children plant their own arrangement for gift giving? They can help select the plants and will get to assemble the whole thing! Plus, if this project is completed two to three weeks in advance, it should give the plants a chance to perk up from the planting process and hopefully begin to root and grow, thus producing a far more attractive arrangement. Let’s get started!

Materials Needed
- Flower Pot or Hanging Basket with Drainage
- Potting Soil
- Plants
- Presoaked Sphagnum Moss
- Osmocote Fertilizer
- Soil Moist
- Newspaper

Putting It All Together
When selecting plants, it is important to choose either plants for sun or shade so the arrangement is well suited for one type of environment. Doing so will help ensure your plants will thrive. Further, it is great to choose one type of plant for some height and another that is trailing. This way, the basket looks full all around and the edges of the container are softened by the trailing plant. Some good examples follow. (See one of our greenhouse experts for more ideas and examples).

Full Sun
Geranium
Petunia
Vinca Vine
Portulaca
Sweet Potato Vine
Million Bells

Morning Sun/Afternoon Shade
Torenia
Lobelia
Bacopa
Asparagus Fern
Ivy Geranium

Once you have selected your plants and container, choose a location for the project. If needed, lay down newspaper on your work surface; doing so will make clean up a snap! Start by filling your container about 2/3 full with potting soil (This will depend on the size of your plants. The goal is to put enough soil in the container so that you have room to place your plants on top of the soil and incorporate soil around them, leaving about 1-1/2” head space.) Once you have your soil in the container, sprinkle some Osmocote fertilizer into the soil and mix well.

Next, apply a layer of Soil Moist on top of the soil surface (before you add the plants). Soil Moist is great in containers, especially during our hot North Carolina summers. It helps to keep your “soil moist,” thus reducing the frequency of waterings; a definite must-have for containers. Tease the roots of your plants and place taller plants in the center and trailing plants around the edges. Incorporate soil around plants and water thoroughly. Finally, add your presoaked moss on top and viola! A great gift for mom or grandma!

Have Fun!
Heather W.
Fairview Greenhouses & Garden Center