Companion Planting: The Perfect Partners for Your Feature Plant

In the world of gardening, companion planting is a strategy that involves placing certain plants together to enhance growth, deter pests, and maximise the beauty of each individual plant. When it comes to pot styling, selecting the right companion plants can elevate the aesthetic appeal of your feature plant. In this blog post, we'll explore companion planting and introduce you to some go to plants that pair perfectly with feature plants in pots.

Understanding Companion Planting

Companion planting isn't just about aesthetics; it's about creating a symbiotic relationship between plants that benefits their growth and overall health. By carefully selecting companion plants, you can improve soil quality, attract beneficial insects, and even enhance the flavour of edible crops.

Our Go-To Companion Plants

At Platylobium, we have our favourite go to companion plants that we love to pair with feature plants in pots. These plants not only add visual interest but also offer benefits to the overall garden ecosystem.

1. Rosmarinus prostratus | Creeping Rosemary

Rosmarinus prostratus, also known as creeping rosemary, is a low growing variety of rosemary that adds a beautiful trailing element to pot arrangements. While rosemary is often associated with culinary uses, it also has benefits when planted alongside fruit trees. Rosemary can help improve the growth of fruit trees by enhancing soil quality and repelling certain pests.

2. Dichondra repens | Kidney Weed

Dichondra repens, commonly known as kidney weed or simply dichondra, is a lush green ground cover that creates a full base around feature plants in pots. This low maintenance plant not only adds a carpet like effect to your arrangements but also provides benefits to the feature plant. Dichondra repens can help retain soil moisture and reduce weed growth, creating an optimal environment for the feature plant to thrive.

3. Dichondra argentea | Silver Falls

Dichondra argentea, or silver dichondra, is prised for its striking silver foliage and cascading growth habit. When paired with a feature plant in a pot, silver dichondra adds a touch of elegance and drama to the arrangement. Its silvery leaves create a beautiful contrast against the feature plant's foliage.

By incorporating these go to companion plants into your pot styling, you can create stunning arrangements that not only look great in your space but also promote the health and vitality of your feature plants. Whether you're aiming for a lush green base, a cascading silver accent, or a boost in growth for your fruit trees, companion planting is always beneficial to implement.

Hello, Plant Enthusiasts! Welcome to our green haven, where we delve into the art of pot styling. In this blog we'll explore the ins and outs of pot styling, breaking it down into 3 essential points

1. Plant Selection: The Heart of Pot Styling

Plant selection is the heart of pot styling and, truth be told, the most challenging part. Beyond aesthetics, we delve into the science of plant care, considering factors like sun orientation, soil preferences, and maintenance requirements.

Key considerations:

Sun Orientation: Align plants with the specific sun exposure in your chosen pot locations. Understand each plant's sunlight needs to ensure optimal growth and development.

Aesthetic Blend: Elevate your aesthetic choices by considering not just visual appeal but also the ecological compatibility of plants. Seek a balance between beauty and functionality.

Maintenance Matters: Evaluate the time commitment required for each plant's care. Opt for varieties that align with your gardening schedule and expertise.

Maintenance tips:

Smart Watering: Integrate an irrigation system tailored for outdoor pots, optimising moisture levels for different plant species.

Soil Selection: Customise your soil choices to meet the specific needs of your plants, such as whether they are exotic or native species. Other factors to consider are: drainage, aeration, and nutrient content for robust plant health.

Personal Commitment: Be transparent about your dedication to plant care, selecting species that match your level of involvement.

2. How to Create a Cluster

Remember, less is more, most of the time! Overcrowding can make a space feel cramped. Instead, curate a purposeful cluster that enhances the area. Invest time in designing your pot cluster – it pays off in the long run, saving both money and unnecessary pot purchases.

Tips for creating the perfect cluster:

Intentional Design: Craft a cluster with horticultural intent, ensuring that each plant's placement supports its growth habits and environmental requirements.

Colour Cohesion: Harmonise colours not just for aesthetic pleasure but also for ecological benefits. Plants with similar water and light needs can coexist harmoniously.

Plant Synergy: Opt for plants that not only visually complement each other aesthetically looking at plant characteristics such as foliage, texture and shape however don’t forget they will also need share similar water and light preferences.

3. Factors to consider When Pot Styling

As you embark on your pot styling journey, delve into the horticultural dynamics of your canvas. Analyse the spatial dimensions, existing colours, and the desired aesthetic through a horticultural lens.

Here's a checklist guide for you:

Space Consideration: Assess the spatial dimensions and layout, ensuring pots are appropriately sized for the plants they house.

Colours: Decide on colours not only for visual appeal but also for their impact on plant health. Certain colours may affect soil temperature and moisture retention.

Utilising Pots as Features: Recognise the horticultural potential of pots as features, selecting containers that promote healthy root development and overall plant well-being.

Sun Orientation: Beyond sunlight hours, consider the amount and quality of light for each plant species.

Creating a stunning pot cluster is an art that combines thoughtful consideration, intentional design, and savvy plant selection. By following our tips and considerations, your green oasis will thrive in both design and plant care. Happy potting, fellow plant enthusiasts! And remember, if you need any further assistance with pot styling, feel free to reach out to Platylobium Pot Styling for information about a pot styling design package.

There’s no denying it - summers are getting hotter. Fortunately, nature offers us a powerful ally in maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures in the form of the humble tree.

As we all know, trees provide shade. But what many people don’t consider is how we can make smart decisions about trees to help regulate indoor temperatures. By choosing the right type of tree (deciduous, evergreen, dense canopy, light canopy) and using strategic placement, we can manipulate the amount of sunshine that is making it into the home.

A simple way to reduce the need for active heating and cooling is by using deciduous trees. Positioned carefully around the home, they provide shade during hot summers, shielding buildings from direct sunlight and blocking hot afternoon sun from coming through windows. As the seasons change, they shed their leaves, allowing sunlight to filter through during the cooler months, thus aiding passive solar heating. This natural cycle helps regulate indoor temperatures by reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling, consequently lowering energy bills. It is also possible to use evergreen trees for seasonal shading that allows low-angled winter sun to penetrate beneath the tree canopy. This however requires precise placement which can be tricky to achieve.

Apart from temperature regulation, trees also contribute to improved air quality and overall well-being. They absorb carbon dioxide, mitigate pollution, and release oxygen, creating a healthier environment indoors and out. In addition, trees enhance the aesthetic appeal of a property, increasing its value and creating a tranquil outdoor space.

One last note - consideration should be given to growth patterns of the selected trees. Using trees that have non-invasive root systems and manageable sizes is essential to avoid structural damage to foundations, footpaths, or utility lines.

When thoughtfully incorporated into landscaping plans, trees become invaluable allies in creating energy-efficient, sustainable homes while simultaneously contributing to a greener environment. Embracing the power of trees isn't just about aesthetics—it's a smart, eco-friendly choice with far-reaching benefits for homeowners and the planet alike.

At Platylobium Landscape Design we use 3D computer modelling to take the guesswork out of strategic tree placement. See our next post for more!

In the realm of landscape design and construction, few elements resonate with the beauty of the natural world quite like Rammed Earth Walls. These structures not only exude timeless charm but also boast sustainability, especially when the soil used for their creation is sourced directly from the site itself. Recently, in the scenic suburb of Glen Iris, a breathtaking seat came to life, courtesy of Atlas Concrete and Landscapes, using soil from onsite, and beautifully documented by the talented team at One Monkey Media.

The journey from conceptualization to realization of these rammed earth walls involves a careful choreography of design and construction, marrying ancient techniques with modern innovation. However, what sets this particular project apart is the utilization of soil obtained directly from the site. Every grain of earth used in crafting these walls was meticulously sourced from the very grounds on which this masterpiece now stands.

The process began with a discerning selection of earth materials rich in clay, sand, and gravel, all excavated from the local site. This deliberate choice not only ensured a harmonious integration of the structure with its environment but also highlighted the inherent beauty of the region's natural resources.

Atlas Concrete and Landscapes embarked on a meticulous process, layering the on-site soil mixture within formwork and compacting it with precision. This technique not only enhanced the walls' strength but also created captivating patterns and textures, each telling a unique story of the land from which it was drawn.

What makes these rammed earth walls truly enchanting is their seamless integration into the landscape. The colors and textures mirror the site's unique characteristics, displaying an array of earthy tones that evolve with the changing light throughout the day, a living testament to the beauty found in nature's raw materials.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these walls boast remarkable practicality and sustainability. Their thermal mass properties offer natural insulation, contributing to energy efficiency by regulating interior temperatures. Moreover, by utilizing locally-sourced soil, this construction approach significantly minimizes environmental impact, reducing the need for transportation and embracing a truly eco-friendly ethos.

The finished seat in Glen Iris stands not just as a stunning structure but as a testament to the harmonious relationship between human creativity and the environment. Its presence invites a profound connection with nature while showcasing the enduring beauty and sustainability of rammed earth construction using on-site soil.

The collaboration between Atlas Concrete and Landscape and Platylobium Landsape Design, has brought to life a remarkable creation. It serves as a beacon, inspiring us to embrace sustainable design practices that not only captivate but also honor the inherent beauty of our surroundings.