Big Ideas, Small Space

There are lots of things you can do if you don’t have room for a new tree in your backyard! The Realm of Lorien has put on its thinking cap and we have come up with some ideas for you to try instead. From bonsais to grass heads, we thought it through and written a bit of basic information about them all. I’ve taken a trip down to my local garden shop and got some prices – it’s nice to have an idea of what you might spend before you go.

Bonsai

Most of us would have seen bonsai before. Bonsai are normal trees or plants that are grown in small pots and generally shaped using wire. You can buy bonsai pots, seedlings, and pre-potted bonsais. Bonsais can be quite hard to maintain but are worth the effort. Bonsai pots are usually glazed and cost upward of $5. Bonsai seedlings cost from $3. Pre-potted bonsai can be very expensive, I saw one for $30, but I have seen them for $300 too!! The most commonly used plants for Bonsai are Conifers, Maples, Japanese Maples, Bamboo and sometimes Azaleas.

Herbs

Herbs are great to plant in the garden, or in a window box, especially if you do quite a bit of cooking. Some of my favourites are Rosemary, Basil, Thyme and Oregano, but there are loads of others! You can pick herbs up for about $3 here. What could be more useful than a plant that helps the Earth that you can eat too? It must be the hobbit in me coming out!

Bloomers

Bloomers, or so we call them where I live, are basically small flowering plants. Usually planted in window boxes or pots they bring some great colour into any area. Some of my favourites are Marigolds, Pansies, and Lobelia. I’m sure you can find some great little flowers at your local plant shop too. They usually set you back about $3 per pot. They are great on a balcony or in a small courtyard. We have heaps in hanging pots on the decking.

Grass Heads

Grass heads are great fun, and quite common in schools. You just get an old stocking, put some grass seeds in the toe, stuff a ball about the size of your fist with cotton wool, and tie it off. You can stick faces on them. The grass makes for some really cool green hair when it grows. You can pick up grass seeds for about $3 a small bag. Just sit your grass head into the top of a jar full of water but the window. Make sure the bottom of the cotton wool is just in the water. Why not make a family? Or even The Fellowship?

Indoor Plants

Indoor plants are another great idea if you don’t have the option of planting a tree. They are generally quite small and easy to care for. Why not put a small one on your window sill or your desk? A small indoor plant will set you back about $3-5. They can be quite ornamental. Some of my favourites are the Lipstick plant (Aeschynathus) because they have such great red colouring, the maidenhair fern and Dizygotheca Elegantissima, but see what they have in your area. Maybe you’ll find something even better!

Pots

Most of the plants listed above require potting. You can get terracotta pots about 4” in diameter for $1 at my local garden shop. Glazed pots look fantastic because they come in such bright colours, blues, blacks, whites, reds, you name it. Glazed pots are a little more expensive and cost from about $4, but I think they are great. Window boxes range from $4 foam ones to $25 self watering ones and more. Window boxes are great because they can sit on a window sill or balcony really easily. You can also get wall mounted pots and hanging baskets. They range from small $3 to large $25 self watering ones. They are great for outdoor areas. Remember that if you have a plant inside it will need something to catch the water. There are lots of great drip catchers that match the pots you can buy, alternately, you can use an old plate, but make sure no one minds you borrowing it!

Soil

If you repot your plant you will need soil. Here you buy potting mix in big bags. It is about $7 a bag, but you wouldn’t use all of it. Maybe you can come to an arrangement with your local garden supply shop and just get a pot full of soil. Alternately, don’t repot your plant just yet. You could place the plant, still in the plastic pot, into a nice terracotta or glazed pot and get the same look without the fuss.

If none of these ideas suit you, or you don’t have the time you might like to plant a tree though a charity. Read all about it here.

Written by tani, Realm of Lorien, February 2004