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Melody Rose,
I'd read your article a few days ago, and today I was in the "cleaning-out-the-old-pots mode. I pulled out a couple of those tall, 14-gallon black pots today for your project. I washed them down last night in my regular pot cleaning solution of Lemon Ajax, Bleach, and Mouthwash. I hadn't reviewed your instructions first, so I guess I'll need to rewash them and scub the surface with Cleanser and a brillo pad! aaaaarrrggggghhhhh!
But I do want this project to come out looking as great as yours did, so, no matter...
My question is more of designer consultation, than project detail. I'm not the greatest at decorating. In fact, I stay away from it at all costs. Consequently, I need some guidance as to what colors look good with what plants. Here're the plants I plan on putting in these pots. I would greatly appreciate if you, and the others who are planning to paint pots, too, would steer me along on the color chart. Thanks!
Bold green and white striped variegated ginger plant
Mother In Law Tongue (the ones with the yellow band on the outer edge)
Common Boston Ferns
Red Kolanche (spelling)?
Red Flash Caladiums
Green & White Caladiums
Red Canna
Yellow Canna
Australian Tree Fern
Japanese Fern
Autumn Fern
Easter Lillies
Purple Oxalis
Any suggestions for pot colors for the above would be MUCH appreciated. Really trying to impress the DH here...The backyard is my project...
Oh, I forgot my garden mainstain; My Cycad Revoluta SAGO Palms (We have over 60 in varying stages of growth, but my painted pots will be mostly for the "teenage Sagos" to give away as gifts. I have lots of pots for the puppies, and they don't need a fancy painted pot till they reach the teenage years! Like getting a new car...
Here's some of the Sagos. I have an entire "nursery" for them.
The scrubber is to make sure you get all of the residue off the surface. Lots of times, there is still a film on the surface if it's been outside very long. The main thing to know, is that paint won't stick to dirt. It will for awhile, but then it will start flaking.
As to the colors you are asking about, some type of neutral will pull the whole project together and give continuity to the project. Bright colors tend to distract from the plants.
You could use a combination of green and gray. If you are going to do the sponged on look, do part with one color as the base and sponge the other one. Then, put the color you sponged in the first batch on the bottom and sponge the first base color you used. This would give the pots a cohesive look without them all being exactly the same. You could also just spray a few one of the colors without doing the layering.
By using just two colors, you could have 4 different looks, and everything will match. Colors maybe, green/gray, dark green/light green, light gray/dark gray, brown/gray
Just pick two fairly neutral shades that you like. I think that by doing this, you'll get an elegant pulled together effect.
You're a diplomat in your other life, right?? THANKS, so much for the tip. I went to Wally World and bought some of the hammered silver, copper and the dark green Fusion. I saw a pot at a friend's yesterday, and saw how to recreate the horizontal "ribbon" effect using two different shades. paint the base layer then tape off the stripes and then spray the second color!. Pull off the tape, and Voila!
thanks, again.
P.S. You don't KNOW how much it took not to grab a spray can and start. But. I know enough to wait for an expert reply! Glad I did!
