Ella Friberg Photography

Before moving to Buffalo we were warned by anyone and everyone of the horrible winters that may come our way.  I was ready! I was born in Ukraine, I had a fur coat when I was a little girl, and walked to/from school in the snow.  Oregon warmed me up a little bit, but being from the Northwest and having friends who work for outdoor clothing companies…I came to own a variety of cold weather gear.  So, to say the least, I was ready for this winter. Oh…I also bought a lovely puffer coat from J.Crew, my first Ugg boots, and Merrill snow boots.  Well, the winter I was promised never has yet to arrive (I shouldn’t say never because winter isn’t completely over yet).

This weekend it finally snowed again. I do love the snow, everything is white and pretty…except for the grey roads.  I love many things…and one of these things are succulent gardens.  I have wanted to make a little garden for some time now. I show Ben pictures of ideas for gardens all the time, I especially love the hanging ones in glass jars (like this: http://pinterest.com/pin/66568900711559862/).  I decided that today would be the best day to make a little garden.  It’s snowing outside, its only 23degrees, so what better way to bring in some warmth than through a lovely succulent garden in my office.  We do spur of the moment things like this pretty regularly.  Off to Home Depot we went. I originally just needed to repot a plant that a patient of mine gave to me in hopes that I could revive it…I did tell her that I’m horrible at keeping plants alive, but she still gave it to me.  While we were picking out a medium sized pot, I happened to see these tiny little succulents…and immediately wanted all of them! Ben said lets do it, he decided that he could hold off studying a little loger to make a little garden with me.

I’ve never put one of these together and I’m not the most creative in designing/decorating things. This falls into that designing category that my mom is much better at!

We had to lay out the potential design of the plants first…then the dirt could go in. We tried to pick a variety of plants…but our selection was limited. Next time I’ll check other stores to find a greater variety to create a new garden, maybe a floating one.

I know nothing about caring for these, except that I used to have a little cactus in college.  I rarely watered it, it lived for a while, and may have completely dried out.  Yes it is possible to dry out a cactus! We did read that the pot needed gravel first, so we found rocks in our driveway instead. Found some cactus dirt for Ben to play with. I don’t like dirt. I love plants and beautiful gardens, but I don’t want to touch the dirt.

Next we stuck our little plants into the dirt.  I somehow managed to get two little splinters in my finger from moving the succulents…another reason why I don’t touch dirt or plants. I just adore them from afar.

The finished product! Super easy and super cute. I like the little bursts of color in this garden.  I set it up next to my computer in the office so everyday I can look at it, close my eyes, and take a mini vacation to a warm and tropical place. But in the mean time I will gladly enjoy the snow!

 

If you love plants and want to add something different to your house, do consider one of these mini gardens.  Pinterest has some amazing links to many many ideas for designs.  Next time I’ll look through them, but this was on a whim and I’m very pleased with our little creation.

 

xoxo

ella