Pothole Gardening

A man styling himself a ‘guerilla gardener’ has been transforming city streets around Europe with miniature flower arrangements to surprise and delight passing pedestrians.

Steve Wheen’s unusual creations, including tiny bonsai trees and props such as toy cars and other small scale models, find a home in the nooks and crannies of urban streets, with potholes a favourite location for his planting.

In a similar vein to street artists such as Banksy, Wheen’s gardening looks to reclaim cities for the people who live in them, provoke reactions and cheer people up.

“My project is all about turning the crappy into the happy. Mostly I garden in East London as there is a proliferation of potholes and I’m spoilt for choice,” he commented.

“It’s funny how my little gardens can make such a big impact. At times I had crowds of up to 50 people watching me garden, they seemed enchanted. My favourite part of the process is sitting back and watching people’s reactions.”

Although Steve doesn’t ask for permission for the artworks he creates, he is careful to ensure that they do not endanger pedestrians or vehicles, creating only very low gardens, removing props after they have been filmed and the initial reactions have been observed and planting in locations that are out of the way such as dead end streets, gutters and verges.

Steve’s gardens are also designed to draw attention to potholes and so help get them fixed, so his labour of love is helping to improve the community too.

“A little effort can go a long way – I’m really creating little moments of happiness,” said Steve.

You can see more of his creations, with garden themes including miniature car parks and picnic sites, at his website http://thepotholegardener.com/.

Similar stencilled flowers are blooming across Iwaki's ruins

The Japanese port city of Iwaki, Fukushima was devastated by the Tōhoku earthquake and subsequent tsunami in March 2011; an event that also caused the catastrophic meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power station. A year on from the disaster, its effects on the infrastructure of Iwaki are still apparent, with many buildings and walls still in ruins.

However, in recent weeks the debris of the city has started to be transformed with painted flowers; the brainchild of Tokyo artist Hiroshi Sadanaga.

Local residents were initially cool on the idea, fearing that the bright colours might offend families still mourning the loss of loved ones, but as it became clear the aim was to both cheer up residents and commemorate those lost in the disaster they have since warmed to the scheme.

Around 40 people have been involved in painting the flowers on to the ruins of collapsed houses and walls this month, using stencils and spray paint to create the floral scenes. A particular area of focus has been the route that local primary school children take to and from their school.

Most of the flowers will be lost when the buildings they are painted on are eventually demolished and cleared away, but until this happens they will be a testament to those who lost their lives last year and brighten the surroundings of those coming to terms with the event.

“I wanted them to be well decorated on their day of dismantlement,” commented Sadanaga, who first conceived of the idea when volunteering to clear debris in the immediate aftermath of the tsunami.

In some areas of the route being painted, as many as 90 percent of houses were swept away the waves when the seawall was overwhelmed.

Now that it is in place the flower painting has been deemed a success; at least if smiling children saying that ‘the ruins have become beautiful’ are anything to go by. Similar projects also look to be springing up in other areas; one of the volunteers from Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture – another town badly hit by the tsunami – has revealed that they plan to replicate the scheme in their home town.

Scenes that won't be repeated in Swindon this year

The hosepipe ban now in force in many areas of southern England has started to take its toll on public flower displays, with Swindon Borough Council being forced to cancel its spring planting scheme.

The local authority is binning its order for £10,000 worth of plants from suppliers, admitting that the flowers would stand little chance of survival due to the anticipated length of the ban.

“We can’t look after them – we need a lot of water to make sure their roots will go out properly and won’t just turn brown straight away,” said Richard Fisher, head of the council run StreetSmart Service. “We have ordered them – there’s £10,000 worth of bulbs and plants – but our current intention is not to have those planted.”

Although many will be disappointed with the lack of floral displays in the town this year, Swindon Borough Council’s decision to abandon this spring’s planting comes in response to the water authority’s drought management, which has also seen the council turning off all of its fountains and other water features to preserve supplies for more essential requirements.

A council spokesperson said that although, unlike ordinary residents, they were permitted to take the water they required from local lakes and ponds, they have chosen not to do so on environmental grounds on the reasoning that this could in turn create further problems should rainfall levels not increase.

As well as the new planting not going ahead, all of the existing plants and trees in the town’s public areas will have to fend for themselves until conditions improve.

The decision on when and if future planting will take place has not yet been taken, but unless weather conditions are exceptionally wetter over the summer months than they have been since the new year, the autumn planting scheme is also unlikely to go ahead.

Kimberly Bois has landed herself in trouble for planting outside her condo

A resident of Portsmouth, New Hampshire is being sued by the association running the building she lives in for planting flowers outside her home.

Kimberly Bois, who has planted flowers including daisies, bearded irises, lavender, hydrangeas and tulips outside her window, has been presented with a bill in excess of $4,500 in fines and legal fees by the Atlantic Pointe Condo Association that runs her property.

Ms Bois was originally granted permission to plant the perennials by the developer of the property (before the condo association even existed) and put them in with the help of her late mother. As such, the flowers hold a great deal of sentimental value and she has refused to remove them, even in the face of $25 per day fines since October 2011 (now up to $50 per day).

The condo association also remain resolute, insisting that the rules are for the good of everyone living in the complex.

“The [original] developer created a problem for everyone,” said association spokesperon Sandy Roberts. “The practical implication is that what one person thinks is beautiful, another person thinks is horrible. Whether you like it or not is not the issue.”

“[If the flowers are allowed to stay] the guy next door will say, ‘I want to do it too.’ It’s not about do you like these flowers or don’t you,” continued Roberts. “It’s a question of was it authorised and is it permanent?”

It would seem that the dispute is set to end up in court; in response to the Atlantic Pointe Condo Association’s letters,  13 in total, each with a running total of the fines and legal fees they claim Kimberly is liable for, Ms. Bois and another neighbour (who has added a rather more permanent stone walls and a patio around his condo) have hired their own attorney.

Bois and her attorney say the condo association’s bylaws don’t specifically forbid planting flowers on the property, but nor do they explicitly allow it. She also says that the association have a ‘vendetta’ against her and plans to fight them all the way. For the sake of a few flowers outside someone’s home, this battle looks like it will run and run.

Willow Arrangement

This willow arragement is a beautiful natural arrangement which could be used for a host of events.  Whether its for a funeral for a loved one or a table arrangement or even a planted arrangement once your flowers have ended, the versatility of the design is very unique.

Copper Mesh

Step 1

Pre soak both blocks of floral foam. To make the wire container cut 1.2m length of copper mesh and flatten on the table. At each corner cut out a square 10cmx10cm. This will create 4 notches in your rectangular frame. Fold up each side to create the sides of your container. Weave the stub wire in and out of the mesh at the corners and bind tightly. This will keep the sides upright. Refer to photo 1.

Lining Container

Step 2

To line the container place a square of clear cellophane, cut to a length 1m long. Place this into your container to act as a waterproof liner, then place your two soaked blocks of floral foam inside. Refer to photo 2.

Placing Willow

Step 3

You are now able to weave in your willow, cut it down into more manageable pieces and weave in and out the copper mesh. The weight of the floral foam will help keep the container stable while you do this process. When you have finished you can push in clumps of the natural moss around the willow filling in gaps where you can see the copper frame, if you wish you can also thread in some ivy. To ensure the ivy doesn’t dry out place the stem into the floral foam, this is easier after you have woven it around the container frame. Refer to photo 3.

Adding Daffodils

Step 4

The arrangement of flowers is a very natural meadow flowing design. Use your daffodils as the height in the arrangement; cluster them together at varying heights. Place the Tulips so that you have them flowing over the arrangement. With your Chrysanthemums and Anemone’s cut them very short and have them grouped together tight to the container. Place more ivy cascading over the container and use to fill in any gaps. Fill in further gaps with a choice of foliage such as lavender, rosemary and berries these will add interest in your arrangement. Refer to photo 4 & 5.

Adding Flowers & Foliage

Step 5

When the flowers have finished this container would be perfect to use with plants, just remove the floral foam leave the cellophane liner and fill with soil, plant in ivy and bulbs for a natural spring planter.

Shopping List

17075 Wet foam block x2                  

17857 Copper wire mesh                  

15557 Leaf shine

19072 Willow x3                                

10396 Natural moss               

13452 Oasis Adhesive Tube

10631 Mossing Pins 30’s                    

10728 Stub wire 12” 22swg   

10347 Clear Cellophane (1m long)

Flowers

10x Daffodills

5x Tulips                     

3x Anemones   

1x Spray Green Kermit Chrysanthemums           

Ivy       

Rosemary or Lavender             

Fatsia Leaves

Berries

Positively Posy

Bubble bowls are a very versatile and popular vase.  We have placed our beautiful posy arrangement within the vase which takes our small arrangement and adds that special touch of ‘Je ne sais quoi’ thus creating something very special.

Step 1

Prepare your water pearls at least 4 hours before you create your arrangement.  Simply add to a large jug of water and wait for the pearls to form.  Once the pearls have swelled to the desired size, drain away any excess water. Soak the foam cylinder until completely wet.  To do so place it into a deep pool of water do not push the foam down into the water, wait until it sinks naturally (failure to do so will mean the outside will be wet but the centre will be bone dry).

Adding Foliage

Step 2

Secure the foam cylinder in the bowl using the pot tape, remember not to cross the tape over itself, otherwise the stems will not be able to penetrate the tape. The shape of the arrangement we are creating is that of a prism.  When positioning the flowers and foliage imagine a piece of string from your central focal flower down to the edge of your arrangement, no flowers should be placed beyond this invisible barrier. Start by placing in the mix of foliages this will create an outline of your shape. Refer to figure 1.

Adding Roses

Step 3

Next add the spray carnations around the edge of the foam and amongst the foliage. Take a rose and position in the centre of the arrangement. Now add three further roses around the sides; ensure that the roses are an equal distance apart. Refer to figure 2.

Adding Kermit Chrysanth

Step 4

Trim the green Kermit Chrysanthemums down to individual stems and place these among the arrangement to fill any large gaps. Refer to figure 3.

Finished Design

Step 5

Look around the arrangement from all angles and fill in any gaps with small pieces of foliage.

Now carefully place the arrangement into the bubble bowl, gently tip the water pearls into the gap between the arrangement and the glass bowl and you have completed the design. Refer to figure 4.

Shopping list:

15319  Bubble Bowl 20cm                 

17071  Junior Bowl                

17077  Cylinder Oasis

18677  Water Pearls              

10683  Pot Tape 6mm                       

Flowers:

Spray carnations          

Spray Roses  

Kermit Chrysanthemums       

Ivy 

Lavender 

Eucalyptus

Kensington Arrangement

A vase can be used to simply house cut flowers or it can be used more creatively to host a majestic floral arrangement like the Kensington Flower Arrangement.  Not surprisingly this arrangement will take more time than placing a bunch of stems in a vase but the results will speak for themselves and it will be well worth the investment.

Step 1

Soak your foam cylinder, place in your junior bowl and secure using pot tape. Cut a 30cm square piece of gold spider’s web and place this under the junior bowl.  Now place the junior bowl in the opening of the vase. Push the spider’s web tight to the base of the junior bowl to secure it in the vase; this will prevent the bowl from slipping about in the opening of the glass vase.

Adding Foliage

Step 2

The shape of the arrangement you are creating is that of a low pyramid.  To achieve this look firstly place a piece of foliage approx 10cm high in the centre of your foam cylinder (Remove this foliage once you have the shape is your mind).  For the width take two pieces of foliage approx 15cm long and place in either side of the cylinder close to the base.  Now imagine you have a piece of string and you place that from the height of the arrangement and run this down to the width of the arrangement.  No flowers or foliage should go outside this pyramid shape.  Begin placing a mix of foliage and berries to the foam cylinder.  Add some long pieces of ivy at the base flowing down this will soften the arrangement.  Refer to figure 1.

Leaf Manipulation

Step 3

To add detail and interest to your design, we will combine some leaf manipulation skills.  To do so lay the aspidistra leaf face down onto the table, along the spine approx 5 cm from base cut into the leaf.  Move up the spine a further 5 cm and repeat, if your leaf is long enough, do this a further time. At each cut pull the leaf so that it rips completely away giving you a lovely strand of leaf. Place these around the edge of the arrangement flowing down. You can also loop them and pin into the foam.  Refer to figure 2.

Focal Flowers

To allow the flowers to stand out we will place them in lines of varieties through the arrangement rather than randomly scattering them in the design.  Begin with your focal flower the Germini.   The Germini will need supporting with wire.  To do so place the 22 gauge wire into the head of the Gemini and wrap the wire down the stem.  Place one of the Germini into the centre of your arrangement then place one either side across the width of the arrangement.  Add a further two towards the base of the foam to add depth. Do the same with the two other varieties of flowers, a line of Lisianthus and a line of Tulips.   Cut the heads off the Stallion Chrysanthemums and place them randomly in the arrangement to hide any gaps. Always remember the invisible string line to make sure you keep the shape of the pyramid.  Refer to figure 3.

Finished Design

Step 4

To finish your arrangement add the curly wire.  Remember to pull the wire apart so the coils become wider in some sections and tighter in others, this will give a lovely detail to the arrangement.  If necessary cut some short pieces of foliage and place in any gaps or to conceal your workings.  Refer to figure 4.

To add further detail to your design you can fill your vase with coloured deco beads, sand, marbles or some lovely natural moss.

Shopping list:

17179  Kensington vase                     

10728  10×22swg Stub Wire  

15557  Leaf shine

17077  Cylinder Oasis            

10448  Gold Spiders Web                  

17071  Junior bowl

10683  Pot tape Green 6mm 

19073  Gold Curly wire

Flowers:

2x Double Lisianthus  

5x Tulips                     

5x Germini     

2x Stallion Chrysanthemums

Ivy       

Rosemary       

Lavender        

Ivy berries      

Aspidistra leaf

Fatsia berries.

A porcelain chrysanthemum

If, like us, you are impressed at the level of detail that can be achieved with the latest  designs in silk flowers, you will be amazed at what an artist in America is doing with ceramics.

Vladimir Kanevsky, a Ukraine-born artist working out of Fort Lee, New Jersey, has developed a reputation in fashion circles for hand crafting exquisite replicas of a range of flowers using bisque porcelain. The intricately-made flowers have found their way into some of the leading boutiques in Paris, New York and Monte Carlo.

Porcelain flowers themselves are not a new idea, having been produced in the 18th century by pottery companies such as Meissen, but the pieces produced by Kanevsky display an uncanny attention to detail that makes his creations look distinctly more lifelike than the idealised porcelain most of us will be familiar with; including bent stems, insect bites and even caterpillars crawling across branches to create a more realistic effect.

Kanevsky produces an extensive range of flowers, such as hyacinths, clematis, hydrangea, lily of the valley and hollyhocks, but is careful not to overstep the mark between art and facsimile copies of real life flowers.

“I am not trying to make fake flowers, but rather sculpture about flowers,” says Kanevsky. “One needs to keep a balance between the real color of real materials and the fiction of painting. I recently discontinued a newly designed line of more heavily painted flowers because it looked too naturalistic, like a theatre prop.”

The flowers that Kanevsky creates are all hand painted, with a large cluster of lilacs costing around $20,000 and taking a month to produce. Little wonder then that his pieces are popular in some of the most upmarket boutiques in the world, being sold in prestigious settings such as Christian Dior in Paris.

Silene stenophylla: The Ice Plant Cometh

Scientists in Russia have brought an ice age flower back to life some 30,000 years after squirrels stored its fruit away in permafrost.

The fruit of Silene Stenophylla, more popularly known as the narrow-leafed campion, was found by researchers digging on the banks of the Kolyma River in Siberia – a popular site for scientists looking for woolly mammoth bones.

The seed of the fruit was cultivated by The Institute of Cell Biophysics and the Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science at the Russian Academy of Sciences, and is the oldest plant to have been brought back to life by some margin.

Previous teams have managed to successfully grow plants from 2,000 year old palm seeds in Masada, Israel, but the Russian research has far surpassed this mark, raising the tantalising possibility of similarly aged material being brought back from the dead.

The scientists believe that an assortment of other plants might be able to be revived from the seeds found in squirrel and other rodent burrows, which were found at depths of 20-40m from the current Siberian surface (the accumulation of plant and other matter having raised the level of the ground over thousands of years.

“We’d predict that seeds would stay viable for thousands, possibly tens of thousands of years – I don’t think anyone would expect hundreds of thousands of years,” said Dr Probert, Head of Conservation and Technology at Millennium Seed Bank in the UK.

“There is an opportunity to resurrect flowering plants that have gone extinct in the same way that we talk about bringing mammoths back to life, the Jurassic Park kind of idea.”

The viability of the seeds found in Siberia is help by the constantly cold temperatures, preserving the fruit in much the same way that a domestic freezer extends the lifetime of its contents.

Sarcococca confusa: A winter bloomer

The snow and heavy frosts this week have dispelled any idea that we were going to manage to get through an entire winter enjoying only mild weather.

Although we may not have escaped the cold it’s not bad news for all of our flowers and plants, some of which not only tolerate the freezing weather but seem to thrive on it.

We’re used to the idea of plants flowering in the spring and summer, from daffodils to roses, but there are a surprising number of plants that will happily flower in the bleak midwinter.

Perhaps the most iconic winter-bloomer is the white, delicate-looking snowdrop (Galanthus). This hardy plant even has extra tough tips to help push through frost-covered ground and snow.

Another winter favourite is the Sweet Box or Christmas Box (Sarcococca Confusa). This evergreen shrub usually blooms around the festive period (hence its popular name) and produces delicate white flowers that give off a very pleasant sweet scent. These plants require very little care, need no pruning and can tolerate almost any soil; just put them in a shady corner and they are happy.

If you need to lift your mood in the dark of winter there are few better choices than Winter aconites from the buttercup family. The beaming yellow of Eranthis hyemalis will give a golden glow to your garden just when it needs it most. These flowers have actually developed to take advantage of the sparsity of surrounding foliage, being at home in deciduous woodlands and blooming to catch the winter sunlight while the branches of the trees above are still bare.

Also a popular choice for a bit of winter colour are violas and pansies. Both plants are available in varieties that will tolerate the cold and bloom early, but violas tend to be the hardier of the two due to the alpine heritage of many species.

So if the recent cold snap has been making you feel a bit blue, you could do worse than plant some of these species for a brighter, more colourful garden next winter.