To me, a seasonal change at the front door says Welcome. First Impressions are so important. A calendar-conscious urn or pot implies many things: this home is cared for…the details matter… and timeliness is important…all crucial impressions for potential buyers. How to make that great, fresh, and welcoming first impression without too much time and money?
I am the first to complain about Christmas trees in March, or heat-stroked pansies in July. But it is hard to find a pot-filler that is appropriate for all seasons. I weather out our Minnesota “spring” (fear of frost season) with sticks and stones(they never die or need water, but are not plastic or fake). I have used forsythia cuttings and pussy willows with success in years past, but those are relatively short-lived. Now that it is May…I would love to put in some fresh and springy pansies or cool-loving flowers…However, soon it will be 85 degrees and humid, with my front step baking like a brick oven, killing even the most sun-loving flowers. I am also conscious of the expense of changing out living plants from spring to summer and then to fall. In an effort to be frugal and minimal I am trying to make smart purchases that will weather well from spring until late fall…through cool and heat and cool again…here is what I came up with.
Think about potting ornamental grass, Autumn flowering perennials, herbs, and late harvest vegetables…these plants change from little springy greens to grand autumnal hued plants, providing interest in changing color, texture , and size through the seasons…the herbs and veggies can be enjoyed through Thanksgiving and the perennials could be re-planted in your landscape. An environmental and economical thriftiness with an aesthetic appeal that refreshes itself with change over the months…Happy Potting!
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