Let’s get started !

1) Hanging Rope Planter

Materials required

1) Ceiling hook /anchor, 2) planting soil, 3) Several 2-3cm thick manila rope, 4) Pocket knife, 5) plant charcoal, 6) soil scoop/spoon , 7) weathered pot 30cm high an approximately 25cm wide opening, 8) stones, 9) saw, 10) 3.5  cm width PVC pipe, 11) ruler/tape measurer, 12) 2 maiden hair ferns, 13) scissors, 5-ply natural jute twine.

Note

Before getting started, the rope is treaded in PVC pipe before being placed within the pot to prevent it from decaying in the soil and one more thing, its best to ask an assistant for help when hanging the planter. Don’t want any injuries.

Assembling the composition.

1) Install the ceiling hook in your preferred house location. Measure the distance you want your composition to hang from the ceiling anchor. (bottom of pot to ceiling hook, one reminder is to have ample room to water your plant). Add approximately 75cm of rope for the knot below the pot and the coiled rope on the floor. Cut the rope accordingly with your pocket knife. 2) Cut a length of PVC  and place it within the pot. 3) Hold the pipe in place above the drainage hole, place 2.5cm of stone at bottom of pot and a layer of planting charcoal for drainage. 4) Add soil and place the two ferns squarely in the centre of the pot. Fill up the pot with the remaining soil securely around the plants and PVC pipe.5) Thread the rope through the PVC pipe and tie a knot in the rope so that it rests against the pot bottom with a 15cm tail.6) Tie a whipping knot for a clean finish. 7) Get an assistant to hang the planter with you.

2) Fern on Moss Mound

Material required

1) Square modern cube planter, 2) drainage stones, 3) soil, 4) asparagus ferns, 5) plant charcoal, 6) mood or pillow moss, 7) small paintbrush.

Note

Live moss is available from many landscaping companies, pillow moss or cushion moss grows in a round cushion shape, while mood moss grows in a compact clump with plumes sprouting out.

Assembling the composition

1) Prepare the planter by placing 2.5cm of stones to the bottom followed by a layer of plant charcoal. This is for drainage. 2) Add soil leaving enough room near the top of the vessel (about 5-8cm, depending on the thickness of the moss.) to add the asparagus fern and the mounds of moss. 3)  Slowly remove the fern from its original vessel by loosening its soil so the plant comes out easily. Use your hands to gently loosen the root of the fern into a ball and place it into the new cube planter. Position the fern at a position you prefer, (I would place it slightly off-centred to have an asymmetric effect. 4)  Cover the root ball with ample soil and secure the plant firmly it its new vessel. 5) Surround the fern with pieces of moss. Press the moss firmly into the soil. The edge where the pieces meet will form nice moulded shapes like rolling hills. break off small pieces and fill remaining patches to complete a rounded moss look. 6) Brush off any dirt or moss with the small paintbrush.

3) Woodland Encased in Glass

Materials required

1) Covered glass container (appropriate size for the composition), 2) Assorted woodland species (e.g. twigs, branches, lichen, moss, pinecones, pods, etc)

Note

To gather contents for this composition, I found inspiration from a friend’s backyard garden near a forest. You could gather your own similar specimens from the wilds of your own backyard. Take a small portion as mosses and lichens take a long time to recover.

Assembling the composition

1) The glass container must be thoroughly cleaned and dry. 2) Collect your specimens. 3) Fill the container with your composition starting with a larger piece of branch or twig covered in moss or a couple of weathered river stones. 4) When the composition is ready, add the smaller pieces of specimens such as fallen twigs covered in lichen, tufts of moss and pinecones and pods. Handle the specimens carefully and once they’re within the vessel, its best for it to be left alone.

4) Bonzai set in Gold Acrylic Frame

Materials Required

1) Small Paintbrush, 2) gold leaf kit, 3) clear acrylic frame, 4) 13-15cm tall bonsai plant, 5) ceramic or porcelain bowl, 6) potting soil.

Note

Acrylic frames can be made to order based on size. They can also be cut from a large acrylic piece and placed individually together using acrylic glue.  It is also wise to ensure your acrylic frame has enough room for future growth of the plant.  Don’t worry if you don’t fancy a bonsai plant, any plant that fits in the frame will do actually.

Assembling the composition.

1) Cut a 20mm thick acrylic sheet into 3 individual rectangular shapes to form 3 sides of the frame. Glue them in place using acrylic glue and measure off the top and bottom of the frame. Cut the remaining acrylic sheet into the size that fits the top and bottom of the frame. 2) Place the gold leaf along the rim edge of the frame and press gently down using a paintbrush A rough-hewn, glittering gold rim is achieved. 3) Take pieces of gold leaf that broke off to fill up gaps you may have missed along the rim edge. 4) Allow the leaf to dry and brush away loose bits of gold leaf with a small paintbrush. Reapply remaining gold leaf to any spots you may have missed. 5) Repot the bonsai into the ceramic bowl approximately the same size as the original vessel, adding soil to secure the bonsai firmly in the bowl. 6) place the bowl of bonsai in the gold acrylic frame you have just made.

5) Baby’s Tears Delight

Materials required

1) Assorted low dishes, compotes, porcelain or ceramic bowls 2) stones, 3) Plant charcoal, 4) Potting soil, 5) Baby’s tears plants

Note

This composition puts pretty ceramic and porcelain tableware in the spotlight. Because baby’s tears are low growing plants, they do not take the attention away from the centrepiece of any table top, especially the dining table or magazine racks. A perfect compliment to other home decors in place at home.

Assembling the composition

1) Arrange a assembly of containers in any order that you prefer. To add layers, different bowl heights are used and preferably in various colours to create liveliness and contrast. 2) Prepare the containers with a bottom layer of stones, then plant charcoal then potting soil. Place the plant into the vessel snuggly in the soil. 3) Fill the plant sides with soil.

Go try some of these easy compositions and begin formulating your own masterpiece !

Read up our next 5 easy kick starter green projects here.