Contained

Container gardens will always have a special place in my heart! One of my favorite things to do is to create a garden where there was not one before! With the use of pots, planters, window boxes, hanging baskets or pretty much any kind of container one desires, this can be done in a heart beat! Using this technique a garden can be instantly created and any space can be completely transformed. At the Goodstone there are gardens a plenty so I use containers to add a bit of interest or to bring a garden to an area that is lacking in flora, such as the pool deck, the Hayloft balcony or the newly renovated spa area down by the barns!

Above: Rose Bud Impatiens in a classic concrete trough planter add just the right touch to the already gorgeous pool facade

Above/Below: A Pink Knock Out Rose coupled with variegated sweet potato vine instantly dress up this otherwise not so interesting drive way area.

Above/Below: Hanging baskets planted with Sedum, million bells petunias, blue plumbago and chartreuse sweet potato vine instantly brought life to the barn/spa area after renovations were complete

Below: A Yellow Million Bells Petunia fit right into this old sink next to the spa door adding a sense of whimsy and softening the entrance.

Below: Pots of Pink Petunias add a splash of color to the little white spring house on the farm

Above/Below: A simple Terra cotta pot adds interest to the pool gardens and fits perfectly on an existing stump!

And that brings us to 600 Cameron St. in Old Town Alexandria

The owner of the Goodstone Inn also owns this great spot in Old Town known as Cameron Street or Executive Suites. (if anyone needs office space in old town this place is great!) I began working on this site last year and it's now a great point of interest in the community! By simply hanging window boxes, 7 of them, and positioning large pots in between we turned a space with no previous space for a garden into a lush and magical street garden!

I chose black iron window boxes with copper inserts to match the existing elements on the street. All parking meters and trash facilities are black iron and the gutters on this building are copper, making the fixtures feel as if they have always been there.

Above: Black and chartreuse sweet potato vine mixed with a small variety of coleus and dark pink rose bud impatiens take over this window paying no mind to their 48" x 8" container!

Choosing the pots for this site was probably the most difficult part. I knew they needed to be big but I didn't want them to compete or clash with the brick. In a collaborated effort we decided to go with these simply rimmed plain concrete pots. I think they are perfect!

The Boxwood 'Green Tower' stands in as the "bones" of the "garden" adding height and structure in comparison with the wild and naturally flowing window boxes.

Last year I used a lot of Basil in the window boxes that got the most sun and the neighbors loved to walk by and collect a bit for their dinners. I received so many compliments on the Basil that I made sure to put plenty more in this summer!

The compliments didn't stop at the Basil! Everyone who passes by way of 600 Cameron St. can't help but to notice this beautiful street garden! The Sweet Potato Vine trails down to the sidewalk, the sweet allysum perfumes the air and the abundance of soft, flowery greenery takes center stage softening this large building full of hard lines and rectangles.

I am proud to say that most recently it has been noticed in a most honorable fashion! 600 Cameron St. has been awarded the Beautification Award and will be officially granted this award by the Mayor in early October! Quite an honor indeed! Oh and did I mention?? It's the first commercial property to have ever received the award!

Thanks and congrats to all involved in this amazing project!!!!

This just goes to show that with a little imagination and a few plants a garden can be grown anywhere! Even if it has to be contained!

Happy Fall Planting !!