Spring planters for your Valentine
Here’s a simple spring planter project that is sure warm your Valentine’s heart.
Fill a decorative wicker basket with cheerful potted spring flowers and tropical ferns and ivy for a display that will last for weeks to come. Head out early and avoid the Valentine’s Day rush for cut flowers.
You will need: two primroses; two asparagus ferns (Sprengeri fern); ivy (with a few long bits); three pussy willow branches (short stems); one mini-daffodil; five cut daffodils; decorative wicker basket (plastic lined) 22x30 by five centimetres deep; potting soil; sheet moss.
When selecting plants for this project, don’t just look at colours, consider a mix of interesting shapes and textures. This basket includes daffodils with strap-like leaves, fluffy asparagus ferns, rosettes of bright primroses and trailing ivy. Look for plants that have similar growth requirements. I purchased economical four-centimetre-sized potted plants. The mini-daffodils, primroses and asparagus fern all prefer bright, filtered light and cool, humid rooms, and moist, well-drained soils.
To give the plants a lift, a layer of potting soil was added to the wicker planter, then the 4-cm pots were arranged in the basket. Extra soil was used to secure the pots, then sheet moss (moistened in a bowl of tepid water then squeezed dry, was tucked in between the pots and the edge of the basket to hide the pots. The moss also helps to secure the arrangement. Pull the long strands of ivy over the edge of the basket, trim if necessary. Tuck in the pussy willow stems.
I left the plants in their original containers, planting the container right in the potting soil. When the plants have stopped blooming, pop them out and replace with fresh plants.
To add instant punch to the basket, cut daffodils (in full flower) in miniature vases were tucked into the planting mixture. The flowers can be easily replaced when they begin to fade.
Primroses
Primroses (Primula) are available from florists at this time of the year and grown as house plants. They feature a mound of bright, fragrant blooms in a rainbow of colours: pink, purple, yellow, red, orange, white and bicolours, often with yellow eyes (centres) above a rosette of mid-green, crinkled leaves.
Dry soil or direct sun will make primrose flowers wilt. Find a cool place for your plant. Trim spent flowers at the base of the stem to tidy up the plants and extend blooming time. They prefer bright, indirect light.
Asparagus fern
Asparagus sensiflorus ‘Sprengeri’ is native to South Africa. Long, arching stems are densely covered with short, needle-like leaflets giving this plant a delicate, fern-like appearance. The soft foliage blends in beautifully with other humidityloving house plants. It works well as filler for mixed containers.
Asparagus fern prefers bright, indirect light and moist air. Dry indoor air may cause this plant to shed its small leaflets. Water thoroughly, allowing soil to dry out a little between waterings. Average room temperature of 16 to 24 C is ideal. Feed monthly spring through fall with a balanced house plant fertilizer diluted by half.
Growing mini-daffodils indoors
Indoor mini-daffodils prefer bright, filtered light. Direct sunlight will cause the blooms to fade more quickly. Flowers will last longer in a cool room.
Check the soil once or twice a week. Water the daffodils when the top 2.5 cm of soil begins to feel dry. Let the pot drain thoroughly after watering. Drain the saucer if necessary or the soil will absorb the water and becomes too soggy.
To save the bulbs for the garden, snip off the spent daffodil flowers after the blooms fade.
Fertilize the soil with a solublebalanced fertilizer (at half the recommended strength) once every two weeks after the last flower fades if you plan to transplant the bulbs.
Move the pots outside to a full sun location after frost danger is past. They can be planted in the garden (leaves and all) at this point. Pull away the foliage after it yellows and dies back naturally, usually six to eight weeks after flowering. The daffodils may take two years to flower after being transplanted outside. Tuck them in a quiet corner and just be patient. They will naturalize and bloom again for many years to come.
Wine box violets
This is a quick and very attractive planter for your Valentine’s Day table or to brighten a corner of your desk. I recycled a decorative wine box (37x12 by 4 cm deep), lined it with heavy plastic and then chose three of the freshest African violets I could find for this project.
Look for colours that work together. I chose one pink/purple plant and a pair of variegated white and purple/pink flowered violets in 4-cm containers.
Remove the plastic protective wrappers from the plants, give them a drink of water (if required) and tidy them up (remove any damaged leaves and flower stems) before setting them in the lined wine box. Fill any open nooks a crannies with damp sheet moss and you’re done. Include a bottle of your favourite Niagara wine along with a pair of pretty glasses and you’ve got a unique gift for your Valentine.
New to African violets? Here’s what you need to know.
African violets like a humid environment, 50 to 60 per cent humidity is ideal. Room temperature should be 21 to 25 C during the day, and 16 to 21 C at night. Filtered window light is recommended. Keep violets out of direct sunlight.
Water with room temperature tap water. Allow the water to stand in a watering can overnight before using. Water from the bottom by pouring water in the saucer. A light fertilizer (mixed at half strength) applied weekly works best.
While the wine box container is pretty, it isn’t the best home for violets if you decide to grow them on. Separate the plants and set them on individual saucers in a bright humid room (or under florescent lights). They will need a period of rest before they flower again.
— Theresa Forte is a local garden writer, photographer and speaker. Reach her by calling 905-351-7540 or by email at theresa_forte@sympatico.ca.