Container Garden Part 2 – Jamaica Observer

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Award-winning gardener Sharon Cain (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Marsha, the owner of this beautiful container garden, is a busy executive who runs a tight shift and has a passion for gardening. Her mother was an avid gardener who taught her the rudiments of gardening during her formative school years. She advised that gardening is therapeutic and she gardens every opportunity she gets. She is ably assisted by her husband, daughter and the gardener, and also her housekeeper who ensures that the plants are kept hydrated in her absence.

Marsha loves bright colours and personally paints her terra cotta pots to add pops of colour. She maintains her colour theme throughout her garden, changing the colours as her mood dictates. She also adorns her garden with colourful ceramic planters and garden ornaments. She has transformed her driveway into a magnificent garden with a small meandering pathway that beckons the eyes to look with intrigue at the many interesting plants and sun vanda orchids in all their glory — bursting with blooms, and a wide variety of garden ornaments which add whimsy to the pathway. A neon green-painted bench at the end of the pathway invites you to rest and feast your eyes on the many plants and sun vanda orchids which are strategically and skilfully layered on stands and benches to give height and contrast. At a glance, you would never believe that all the plants are in containers.

The view from the bench is breathtaking!

You are greeted at the entrance of her covered and enclosed patio with barks from her security on duty, “Socky” (short for Socrates), a cute grey and white poodle, who is her companion while she gardens. Marsha advised that the patio is her sanctuary where she enjoys coffee and reading. The patio is eclectic in design with beautiful wall and garden art — bird feeders and houses, and lanterns, just to name a few. Several seating areas are appointed to host family and friends, one of which is a beautifully decorated bistro table which is flanked by gorgeous zee zee (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia) plants in designer planters.

On the upper deck, the kitchen window is flanked by two areca palms which provide a canopy for her shade-loving ferns, anthuriums, bromeliads, coleus (Joseph’s Coat), ficus lyrate (fig leaf), dracaena and hybrid aglaonema (pink dalmation).

The view of her small back garden is also breathtaking.

Remember, plant something and watch it grow!