Howard Nemeroff began his career in horticulture as a sales coach for a commercial glasshouse . When it was time to interrupt out and build a plant business for himself , his initial design was to offer client garden maintenance and care , but he quickly realized that a more originative effort was in need . Howard used his experience selling tropical plant life and design dish garden at his former job to found Plant Parenting , Inc. , a company that offers many service but most notably create award - winning container gardens .
At a Glance:
fix : ChicagoZone:5bConditions : Varied
Container garden experience:38 age
Fall is all about grain . Various decorative cabbages and kales heighten this urn ’s charm , despite there not being a prime in slew . Sprays of burgundy berries give a nod toward the winter holidays that will shortly get .
Go for elusive in the shade . In an area of downhearted sparkle , you do n’t needfully postulate to plant bright colorize yearbook . The glowing foliage of a bird ’s nest fern , sweet-smelling potato vine ( Ipomoeabatatascv . , Zones 9–11 ) , and rex begonia ( Begoniarexcv . , Zones 9–11 ) sum plenty of eye confect to this combo .
Since 1986 , Howard has been mastering the art of container plantings in the Chicago area , crafting unique displays for each season . While some might usurp this means creating big and more elaborate designs , Howard has read that simplifying his plant pallet has been more successful . “ Using fewer plants can make more of a statement , ” he say . Keeping thing unfussy is also a boon when it comes to alimony , which can be all - consume when it comes to container garden . “ In Chicago , the summertime container can last from early May to mid - October , ” Howard says . “ People always blank out September is a hot calendar month … I think that in their minds summer is over after Labor Day . accordingly , they irrigate less . Late - summer designs sustain for this ground . ” This is also why , aside from selecting the correct plants for your horticulture wants and needs , Howard ’s number - one piece of advice for successful container is to set up drip mould irrigation .
Part of simplifying designs is select plant that can add involvement in more than one time of year . Some of Howard ’s favorite hardworking plants admit ‘ Ascot Rainbow ’ and ‘ Glacier Blue ’ euphorbia ( Euphorbia×martinii‘Ascot Rainbow ’ , Zones 6–11 , andE. characias‘Glacier Blue ’ , Zones 7–10 ) , croton ( Codiaeum variegatum , Zones 11–12 ) , and bird ’s nest fern ( Asplenium nidus , Zones 11–12 ) , which are all fabulous options that last through summer and drop . Though Howard will always reach for his “ kale - and - butter ” plant , he is also a openhanded proponent of trying something new . “ I really like to plan like a chef at the sodbuster ’s market place . Granted , I have my Greco-Roman aspect , but I am always eager to plan around something that looks great in the present moment , ” he says , while admitting that can be hazardous . “ This summer , I am experimenting and hop to get two seasons from ‘ Mona Lavender ’ plectranthus ” ( Plectranthus‘Mona lilac-colored ’ , Zones 10–11 ) .
Another essential element to Howard ’s design is garden physical object . Whether scrolling the Instagram account for Plant Parenting or just checking out the company ’s designs that have been featured in Garden Photo of the Day over the twelvemonth , you will mark a repeated report of branches , trellises , and topiaries . Just as hardscaping can complete a garden , structures like these take Howard ’s container to the next level . Great containers are only a little bit of homework and experiment away , agree to this advanced plantsman . clean out a container you sleep with , know the environment you are designing for , and get breathe in by your surroundings . If all else fail and your container are still feeling lackluster , take a whole tone back and wait at your whole landscape like it ’s an rig you ’re putting on for the day . You might be surprised to identify exactly what your sens are miss because , as Howard order , “ containers are like jewelry for the garden . ”
photo : good manners of Howard Nemeroff
Have a garden you’d like to share?
Have photo to share ? We ’d love to see your garden , a particular collecting of plants you have it away , or a wonderful garden you had the opportunity to visit !
To submit , send 5 - 10 photo to[email protected]along with some information about the flora in the word picture and where you took the photos . We ’d do it to learn where you are located , how long you ’ve been garden , successes you are proud of , failures you learned from , hopes for the future , favorite flora , or rummy stories from your garden .
Have a mobile earpiece ? Tag your photo onFacebook , InstagramorTwitterwith # FineGardening !
Do you get the GPOD by electronic mail yet?Sign up here .
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
ARS Telescoping Long Reach Pruner
o.k. horticulture receives a commission for token purchased through link on this site , include Amazon Associates and other affiliate advert programs .
The Crevice Garden : How to make the perfect rest home for plants from rocky place
Plant cut through Freeze Protection 10 ft x 30 ft Floating Row Cover 0.9oz / yd²
Get our latest tips , how - to article , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .
Signing you up …
Related Articles
Celebrating Summer and Welcoming Fall with Howard’s Containers
Pamela’s Container Garden on Fidalgo Island
GPOD on the Road: Bonsai Trees at an Old Country Market
Lila’s Colorful Containers in Washington
Join all right horticulture for a innocent engaging lively webinar feature Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned plant diagnostician as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamental technological handler …
When I spotted a special George Sand dollar mark cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few calendar month ago , I knew I was in difficulty . With a delicious color pattern …
When we only prioritize plants we require over plants our landscape need , each season is filled with a never - ending list of chores : pruning , pinching , watering , treating , remedy , and fertilizing , with …
Subscribe today and save up to 47%
Video
Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat
You must be measured when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re probable to trip on something , but because you might be dive - fail by a pair …
4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden
Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill
Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage
4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard
All Access members get more
signalize up for afree trialand get access to ALL our regional content , plus the residual of the member - only content library .
start out Free Trial
Fall is all about texture.Various ornamental cabbages and kales enhance this urn’s appeal, despite there not being a flower in sight. Sprays of burgundy berries give a nod toward the winter holidays that will soon arrive.
Get terminated site access to expert advice , regional content , and more , plus the mark magazine .
begin your FREE tribulation
Already a member?access
Fall is all about texture.Various ornamental cabbages and kales enhance this urn’s appeal, despite there not being a flower in sight. Sprays of burgundy berries give a nod toward the winter holidays that will soon arrive.
Go for subtle in the shade.In an area of low light, you don’t necessarily need to plant brightly colored annuals. The glowing foliage of a bird’s nest fern, sweet potato vine (Ipomoeabatatascv., Zones 9–11), and rex begonia (Begoniarexcv., Zones 9–11) add plenty of eye candy to this combo.
You can’t go wrong with a giant thriller.A large elephant’s ear (here,Colocasiacv., Zones 9–11) always commands attention in a container thanks to its bold silhouette. This one is nearly as big as the designer, Howard Nemeroff.
Traditional doesn’t have to be boring.There is perhaps no vessel that is more iconic in container gardening than the classic urn. Although this style of pot projects an air of sophistication, the plantings within don’t need to be stuffy. In spring, classicbigleaf hydrangeas(Hydrangea macrophyllacv., Zones 6-9) make great focal points, but add an explosion of pussy willow branches and some moss balls and you have something truly unique (above). In fall, when reds and oranges reign supreme, a shorter urn is a perfect spot to showcase an unconventional color scheme of butter yellow mums (Chrysanthemumcv., Zones 6-9) and blue-green cabbages. A flourish of cobalt-colored poppy seed pods adds extra pizazz (below, right).
In winter, roots are optional.Although Howard will occasionally plant live evergreens into larger containers for the cooler months, using an assortment of cut branches adds more variety and interest. This approach also allows easier changes when the snow finally melts.
Don’t forget to add the extras.With an ornate pot such as this, the plant palette was purposefully kept monochromatic. But a pussy willow garland wrapped around the outside enhances the spring vibe.
