Modern Gardens - October

ON TREND
Fern arum
Designing with
HOUSE
PLANTS
In the first part of our series on using plants
as accessories, we focus on creating a
LOOK YOU’LL LOVE for fireplaces
There is no doubt that houseplants are
‘having a moment’. In recent years,
indoor plants have been out of favour.
But with the return of a more individual
approach to interior decorating, it was only a
matter of time before the real plants that inspired
the botanical fabrics and wallpapers you see
everywhere were once again back in the
spotlight. Interior design companies have used
houseplants as inspiration for prints and upped
the variety of plant pots in their range too. There
has been a resurgence of both terrariums and
hanging planters. Cacti and succulents are back
in vogue, while dramatic, large-scale specimens,
such as 1970’s favourite the Swiss cheese plant
(#monstera), are also in the spotlight. Together
with the revival of interest in crafts and
grow-your-own, houseplants are popular again.
The good news is that, with a little
know-how, even the least green-fingered
among us can successfully grow an indoor plant
or two. Start small with a cactus or succulent,
and once you’ve proven your plant-caring skills,
we guarantee you will want to introduce more
into your home. One of the most amazing
things about houseplants is that you can enjoy
them all year round. And introducing them
into your home is the perfect way to reconnect
with nature. Technological advances in the way
professional nurseries now grow plants mean
they are much more affordable than they were
a decade ago. Combined with the easy
availability of must-have pots in stores and
online, as well as simple yet inspirational ideas
on Pinterest and Instagram, means we can all
attempt a planting scheme that suits our space
and brings out our creative side.
LINK YOUR HOUSE AND GARDEN
You don’t need to have masses of plants to
make a statement. It all comes down to how
they are arranged and displayed. Choosing
plants of the same colour or perhaps using the
same container in different sizes will create a
cohesive design. Another point to consider
is whether you have a view of the garden. A
really successful design scheme can involve
bringing that exterior inside by planting around
the window to frame the view. Alternatively, if
you are facing a brick wall, you can screen it out.
Adding a few elements that you would normally
expect to find outdoors, such as weathered
terracotta pots or exterior planters, is another
neat way of linking indoors and out.
WORDS: SARAH WILSON
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OCTOBER 2017 MODERN GARDENS 65