Stream Corner

There is no reason why two or more separate and waterproof containers should not be combined together inside another and larger cover pot. This way plants with widely differing demands for water can be combined without harm. Consider, too, the possibilities open to you by combining flowering and non-flowering plants, or even in combining cut flowers and growing plants. The added colour can bring that necessary touch of lightness and gaiety, particularly for festive occasions.

Instead, when you get it home loosen the ties and arrange the several trails in a softer and more attractive pattern. By all means keep the central cane or even replace it with a longer specimen if you like, but consider doing away with it and replacing it with an attractively shaped and textured piece of driftwood or a cane or ironwork fan to support the upward twining trails.

Bulb flowers are particularly suitable for this kind of use, for there is something about their shape and their smoothly sculpted stems that makes them combine happily.

The cover pot need not be similar in shape although most sold for this specific purpose are not only similar but usually too small. Use vases, bowls, ceramic buckets, even saucepans or other kitchen receptacles. A tall vase will frequently hold a flower pot in its wide top and this gives added height and frequently a more graceful droop to the growing plant.

One suggestion which is both simple and satisfying is to insert several cuttings of a sprawling plant such as tradescantia or ivy around the rim of a low bowl. In the centre of the bowl insert an empty flower pot. When your potted indoor bulbs are beginning to reach the flowering stage remove the empty pot and replace it with one holding the bulb, just about to come into flower.

It would be fatal, for example, to place cacti and cyperus in the same container, for the first should be grown almost dry while the second demands bog conditions.