The tropics has the richness of resources not only of the living plants, but also of indigenous materials for use in landscape designs and flower arrangements. Whether these are gathered for the actual purpose or by-products of other original uses, we have lots of them.
Top and bottom photos are made of reeds or tall weeds woven to look like walls or dividers, and provide clean backgrounds for some ornamentals. Above is Tillandsia usneoides, while below are indigenous ferns.
Driftwood or dried tree branches make common mounting materials for orchids, whether as attachment materials during growth of orchid plants or for landscaping designs.
Bamboos are abundant in the tropics and they make into a lot of beautiful designs, whether just cut to pieces or woven into baskets and containers.
another style of weaving the shortly-cut bamboos of equal length provide lovely container for these
group of profusely growing cattleya
a box on the wall can either be made of metal, wood or thick cartons. A Philodendron and some water plants provide a lovely diorama on the wall.
the above is made of wood frames and mounted on the wall, planted with cactus and succulents
used tires instead of discarding to the garbage bins can be made into containers of hanging plants
Another creative use of our bamboos, done patiently in a tedious but artistic way, is making archs like the above in entrances of major festive activities. Sometimes these are also laced with plants and flowers. The above is the entrance to the commercial booths during the Philippine Orchid Society Show 2012. Another entrance to the landscape design exhibits was posted earlier.
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I love seeing all the colourful pictures!, Spring is on the way here in the UK, so we are at last seeing flowers again!
ReplyDeleteThe richness of the flora of the tropics never ceases to amaze me. You can get really creative with all the plants available there!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas. I really loved the wood frame used as a diorama for live plants. That looked fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThe reeds make a perfect backdrop for your plants, and the Bamboo lasts forever.
ReplyDeletereally living up to the tropical atmosphere. i do get a lot of ideas from driving around and seeing people's gardens. i also like the idea of reusing/repurposing other items for garden use.
ReplyDeleteHello There, Since I've been away from blogging for a week, I have alot of catching up to do. We had a wonderful trip to Arkansas --but it's great to visit with my blog friends. Hope things are going well with you.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas for flower arranging... I love using the old tires for hanging baskets... Neat!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
Wonderful creative ideas, Andrea! Bamboo is widely used in our region too. I love the way these tires have been used.
ReplyDeleteThe picture frame with the cactuses is a neat approach. I think I will have to try that! The bamboo is gorgeous. I enjoyed all these creative ideas.
ReplyDeleteThese are great ideas. So well presented.
ReplyDeleteVery creative ideas!!
ReplyDeleteI love the the large orchid display.
Thank you for visiting my new blog featuring pink orchids and more:
http://guildwoodgardens-mypictures.blogspot.com/
Gisela
I like all of these decorating ideas. The use of the old tires is a great use for something that would otherwise wind up in a landfill. But I must admit I like the use of bamboo in these decorations.
ReplyDeleteLots of "going green" ideas in this post. You gave me some ideas.
ReplyDeleteWow, i just love the creativity going into all the planters and such.
ReplyDeleteLovely post, the flowers and arrangement are beautiful. Thanks for sharing, very creative ideas. Have a happy week!
ReplyDeletemy mom would go crazy on these orchids!:p
ReplyDeletei love the idea of converting old tires to planters.
Luna, you should see my 2 posts of orchids previous to this one, from the same orchid show in Quezon City.
DeleteSome a amazingly creative people who have such talent...I love the use of flowers and ferns especially
ReplyDeleteQuite creative indeed. Love the colorful blooms! And huge too.
ReplyDeleteI've seen tires formed into pots for plants but a whole tire used as a container for hanging plants is new to me. That would be a very heavy container though...LOL.
ReplyDeletehahaha, yes it is maybe heavy. So you see, they had that metal bar stand where those tires are hung! I think they still had ordinary pots and then just place the whole pot of plants inside the tires.
Deleteso many gorgeous plants and arrangements. So nice to see it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have had a temperature drop. To hot isn´t good. Take care.
Those are beautiful flower arrangements and excellent shots.
ReplyDeleteThe arrangements and groupings are so important when putting together a great design for a home garden. I like how your shots capture the plants in those groups.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots, Andrea. It's amazing how resourceful flower arrangers can be, sometimes with the most mundane of objects.
ReplyDeleteThe Melbourne International Flower and Garden show will be on Wednesday 28th March - Sunday 1st April 2012 so I am really looking forward to going there. I'll take lots of photos of course!
Hello Nick, and we will be waiting for your photos from the show. I am sure the show will be a great win! Maybe most of the people this time will be in Melbourne. I still remember what they said there 'half of the people in Australia is in NSW, and half of them are in Sydney"! I reckon the other half of the population is divided by so many places, and maybe they will converge there at the garden show!
DeleteI just love the third shot. Stunning group of orchids!
ReplyDeleteGood ideas... especially the ones using bamboo...
ReplyDeleteLove the shadow box for framing succulents - it's such a good idea!
ReplyDeleteAndrea,
ReplyDeleteI would like to congratulate you on your post giving so much practical information and genius ideas for anyone to turn a home garden into a small tropical paradise!
I particularly enjoyed the container you made with equal-length bamboo cuts and, really all the ideas can create small peaceful corners where you can enjoy your time in the garden.
Horticulture is an endless world. It is an excellent field where a skillful and dedicated person can free her creative talent. Of course plants are living organisms and they seem to reflect the extra care and dedication.
Well done again and thank you for making my day with your wonderful pictures!