Question: Our home greenhouse has been a great place to relax and enjoy nature. However, I have 2 questions. The first is, currently we only have small pea rock down on the floor and wondering if we should put down some brick or flagstone as well to “dress things up” (secretly I want a small pond/fountain/waterfall) and the second are some unusual plants we could grow in the greenhouse this time of year? Krystal, Westminster, Maryland
Answer: Krystal, August is a good season to think about the general appearance of your greenhouse. The kind of plants you grow is a matter of personal choice but much can be done to give them a pleasing setting.
Walks in the greenhouse, for instance, look best when made of broken flagstone, brick, poured concrete or wood slats. Sides of plant benches are much more attractive if the edges are softened with sweet alyssum, ivies and small vines of periwinkle (Vinca minor) or variegated euonymus. Baskets of oxalis, browallia, plumbago, ivy geraniums, Lotus bertheloti and similar flowering plants hanging from the roof lend a delightful atmosphere, while a few of the more vigorous climbers such as the fragrant jasmines, Hoya carnosa, passion flower or Clerodendron thomsoniae look well growing up the side braces or rafters.
Now, when there are fewer plants in the greenhouse to be moved out-of-doors without damage, is a good time to clean up and plan your arrangement. Some type of staging is helpful to the arrangement of an unusual effect. If the greenhouse is attached to another building, it may be a wall of stone or rock. If it is a detached greenhouse, one or more graceful limbs of trees might be appropriate on the northerly side. A pool with a fountain might also be incorporated where aquatic plants and tropical fish can become a part of the setting.
Make An Indoor Garden Not Just a Greenhouse
A greenhouse can be an attractive indoor garden, not just a place to grow plants. Brick or flagstone walks make it more decorative. Plants may be grown in rock crevices on a rock greenhouse wall,
There are a great many fine plants that lend themselves well to special treatment. Air plants that in nature do not grow in earth or water but can be supported in crevices between rocks or on bark, lend themselves particularly well in such plantings. These epiphytes include many fine tropical orchids; cattleyas and epidendrums are very well suited to this type of planting and they can be had in numerous varieties that yield most attractive flowers. Then there are dwarf orchids such as Sophronitis grandiflora (coccinea) that grows only 3 inches high or brassavolas in variety that reach 4 to 9 inches and fit in well where low plants are wanted.
The Bromeliads
Another group of air plants can be found among the bromeliads. The following varieties are suitable: Vriesia spelendid, Neoregelia Tricolor, Aechmea Black Chantinii,Neoregelia Fireball, and Spanish moss (Tillandsia lindeniana). This has only to be hung over the limbs of the tree or bracing of the greenhouse to make a good background for other plants.
Other Unusual Plant Subjects
Still other good subjects that do well under the same treatment are the mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis cassutha) that resembles a mistletoe with small flowers followed by white berries – a charming plant – and R. mesembryanthemoides that is similar but with denser and more up right growth. A dwarf species of anthurium (A. scherzerianum), with white: to pink and spotted inflorescence and arrow-shaped leaves, always lends distinction. One plant of vanilla, also an orchid, is often excellent when set in the soil or a large pot at the base of the planting where it can twine up to the roof. While vanilla is a rather vigorous grower, it can he cut back and replanted when it gets too large.
Even though epiphytic plants thrive in the warm moist air of a greenhouse, some means of support for the roots must be provided. This can be sphagnum moss, as sphagnum gives an attractive effect as it blends in well with the rocks or bark.
Remember The Ferns
Of course, plants that are not epiphytic may also be included. Pockets for soil may he dug into the rocks or tree limbs to take the roots. Several low-growing ferns should be included to round out the planting. The maiden hair fern, Adiantum williamsi Barbados (A. tenerum farleyense), is a small, compact grower and you will find it in several of the catalogs. Another good variety is A. caudatum. Holly fern (Cyrtomium falcatum) with glossy, irregular foliage is always pleasing and the staghorn fern (platycerium) may be had in small plants to add interest with its antler-like leaves. The main thing is to choose material that will grow on for a number of years without reaching too great a height.
Selaginella kraussiana browni, which has fernlike foliage, should also be included. Of course, there are many others – I could go on and on – mother-of-thousands (Saxifraga sarmentosa), philodendrons, dwarf ivies, echeverias, sempervivums, etc.
by C Ernest
