Last year Howard Nemeroff, the owner of Plant Parenting in Chicago, shared some gorgeous images of a window box he designed through the four seasons (One Window Box, Four Seasons), and today he’s back to share some incredible spring container designs.
Pussy willow (Salix discolor, Zones 4–8) stems bent into a beautiful trellis elevate this planting of pansies (Viola × wittrockiana, cool-season annual) and bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla, Zones 5–9).
Bigleaf hydrangeas and a dramatic arch made of pussy willows make a bold statement in this window box.
Pussy willows have flexible stems, so they can be bent and shaped into beautiful structures like this. The silvery fuzz is the newly emerging flower spikes that burst open first thing in the spring.
In this close-up, you can see that there is a metal framework under the structure that the willow branches have been attached to. The attention to detail here is incredible!
In this spring container, purple and white tulips (Tulipa hybrids, Zones 3–8) are the stars, with their colors echoed by the rest of the planting and set off by yellow-green variegated ivy (Hedera helix, Zones 5–9) and moss.
Two-level containers feature bold blue hydrangeas on the bottom and pansies on top.
White pansies dominate this container, with a few pops of other color to accent the white.
A euphorbia (looks like Euphorbia × martinii ‘Ascott Rainbow’, Zones 6–9) takes center stage here, backed up by pansies, ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus, Zones 8–10 or as a tender bulb), golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’, Zones 3–9), and nemesia (Nemesia hybrid, annual).
A dress made from pansies
And here’s Howard himself, posing with one of his stunning containers.
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Comments
Howard, you are the best! I have never seen such beauty in a pot. I am saving this article in a special spot for future peeks. You have reserved a place in heaven designing such exquisite arrangements I am sure! Bravo.
Howard, your shared examples are truly lovely. The website link and the multitude of services Plant Parenting offers surely puts you among the most creative and generous designers I've seen. I try to keep an eye out for design elements and innovation that are exemplary, your team really delivers.
Thank you so much for sharing your talents with GPOD again!
- Greetings from Finland, cheers!
Stunning!!! I’m in awe of these masterpieces!!!!
Oh my word! This is beyond gorgeous.
Oh Wow your creations are SPECTACULAR, and done like I've never seen before- so very original! I'm so impressed!
I am speechless! I have only been following this GPOD since March but this post is so over the top. Howard your talents are unearthly if that is a word! The pussy willow sculptures in the first photos take simple plantings to a stunning platform. The plant combinations you have used are what I crave when following these sites. Is that actually perennial persicaria that pours over the pink hydrangeas in the concrete urn you are standing beside at the end? Stunning!
Stunning! My favourites are the first two container designs.
Howard!!!! These are nothing short of spectacular and the pussywillows are just the thing.... You are a true artist and I thank you for sharing these creations with us! So inspirational.
Howard!! You are a master beyond a doubt. Bravo! Your color combinations are exquisite. Thank you for sharing these. They are truly inspired.
Wow - to Howard and his superb willow wrestling!
Bravo, Howard! Your container designs are spectacular. I hope you don't mind that I am going to try to "borrow" some of your concepts for my home's containers. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. You are a true artist!
This is really beautiful and gorgeous!
Regards,
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