One last little set of pictures before we leave Seattle (and our October PNW Vacation) behind. I spotted this planting outside a building on Capitol Hill.
What do you think? Love it? Or hate it?
I like that they tucked in planters in an area that would otherwise have gone unused, or worse just gathered trash, and a little unexpected green on a city sidewalk is always a good thing.
I am usually a fan of repetition, but I think this group would have benefited from breaking things up a bit, a little variety in the plantings. What do you think?
What do you think? Love it? Or hate it? 
I like that they tucked in planters in an area that would otherwise have gone unused, or worse just gathered trash, and a little unexpected green on a city sidewalk is always a good thing. 
I am usually a fan of repetition, but I think this group would have benefited from breaking things up a bit, a little variety in the plantings. What do you think?
Yay on the concept. Nay on the execution. Anemic ferns leggy grasses. Maybe I'm too harsh though; maybe it's a new planting and will improve over time.
ReplyDeleteI like the uneven planters, but I'm not a fan of the sparse tufts of blood grass (or whatever it is) with all the mulch around them. The contrast of color is nice, but some lower, silver foliage would have looked better, I think, even mass-planted in the bed.
ReplyDeleteHum...tough one. Not my personal fav, but maybe a good solution to someone who doesn't want to garden or maintenance some living greenery.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it needs more elements, especially in the planting strip. The planters seem rather haphazardly placed and angled, but they look good otherwise. I like the bright green with the slate grey, a good choice for the shady spot.
ReplyDeleteThat'll be a nay from me then, I'm afraid
ReplyDeleteIt's a good idea but I agree, it needs a little something.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I think it is an interesting effort that is a bit off the mark. Not quite enough uniformity to pull off the minimalist, repetition thing. The varying sizes and heights of the containers seem at odds with the single variety of fern. Still, gotta hand it to them for the attempt.
ReplyDeletethe bloodgrass should fill in pretty quickly and look like this: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51avwHylXiL._SS400_.jpg
ReplyDeletei think it makes for a nice monoculture and fits with the house style.
I think the container plantings take away from the plants in the ground....wonder what it would look like with a few of the ferns tucked in with the grasses..?
ReplyDeletei agree with breaking it up a bit, either with something in between height-wise, maybe in a different shaped/colored pot, or even texture (maybe a thicker succulent?) or a line of a different colored plant, maybe a teal. oh geez, what do i know? it actually looks mighty fine as is!!
ReplyDeleteI would give them points for effort, as most businesses would have left it bare, but would subtract points for execution. I would get rid most of the pots, put in a bench and vary the plants in the bed.
ReplyDeleteI like how the in-ground plants are uniform, but how ALL the pots vary in size, shape, and placement...nice twist.
ReplyDeleteAnd perfect for the urban sophisto in Capitol Hill. Ate at Top Pot Donuts near there once!
Glad you vacationed in the PNW!
ReplyDeleteAnd what a fun picture and question to pose...I like blood grass and a monoculture like that. I really like the containers themselves. In them, I would prefer plants with a pop of color, even something like variegated coleus, rather than green ferns that fade into the green wall.
Nay. Much too tidy for my slovenly garden style. Though I am partial to those black pots.
ReplyDeleteI'm never really a fan of monocultures, especially such an uninspired choice as Blood Grass. Perhaps a few different varieties of grass, different forms and sizes.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be going in the right direction, at least. But not quite there.
ReplyDeleteI love it. Full on. When the grass fills out it's going to be fabulous.
ReplyDelete