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A French-Inspired Garden and Home by Judith Stringham

Ivy Heart Topiary in Bunny Pot

Monday, March 21, 2016

Minimalist white Winter is over, and 
true love blue Spring is back. 

I want to have more white in my house. 
I truly do. 


Until I see another beautiful ceramic flower pot with blue. 
Who can resist that adorable bleu bunny?

Oh, yes, all of you who love green, or yellow, or red, or neutrals, or......... 
Those of you who love green, this pattern comes in green also. 
HomeGoods... 



Spring has burst onto the shelf behind the kitchen sink. 
The single ivy ball topiary is no longer alone. 
A large and a small heart-shaped ivy topiary in Easter Bunny blue pots 
have joined the ball topiary. 


Washing dishes is much more pleasant now with heart topiaries in blue bunny pots overlooking. 


A few readers have asked for tips about how to care for ivy. 

I'm no expert and have lost my fair share of ivy plants to spider mites, 
overwatering, underwatering, and plain old fashioned neglect. 

Here's what I've learned from all those years of trying one more time. 

One thing that helps prevent problems is 
keeping the plant watered regularly, but not overwatering it. 
Check the soil regularly. As long as it feels moist, do not add water. 
Water only when the soil feels dry to the touch of your fingers. 
Yellow leaves are signs of possible overwatering. 


A second tip is to wash the plants with soapy water periodically, 
anywhere from once a week to once a month. 
The drier the air in your house, 
the more frequently the plant should be washed. 

For small ivy plants, turn the plant upside down 
to swish the plant in a soapy cool bath. 
For larger plants, spray with soapy water using a spray bottle. 
Remember to spray the underside of the leaves also.  

Tip number three...  Hot, dry air is an ivy's enemy that invites pests. 
Between soapy water baths, mist/spray the plant with cool water. 
Since these plants are near the sink, 
it is easy to place the ivies in the sink and to spray them with the sink's sprayer. 
An alternative once again is to use a sprayer bottle. 


A fourth tip is to remove dead or dying yellow leaves as soon you spot them. 
Keep the pot free of dead leaves and debris. 

Isolate any diseased plants from healthy ones to prevent spreading diseases. 


A fifth tip is that ivy likes bright light, but not direct harsh sunlight. 
Think about where you see ivy growing outside...under trees and on trees. 

If you live in cooler climates like in England or New England, 
ivy does grow in sunshine, clinging to brick walls on Ivy League campuses, 
but in warmer climates like Texas, the hot relentless summer sun will fry ivy. 
Those ivy-covered walls in cooler climates have frequent rain 
and cloudy skies that provide relief from harsh sunrays. 


Tip number six is to give the ivy a beautiful pot in which to live. 
All of these ivy plants are in either a plastic or clay pot that fits inside the pretty pots. 

A pot with a drainage hole keeps the plant from standing in water. 
Drain off any excess water after watering before placing the plant back inside 
its beautiful {bunny} home. 

~~~~❦~~~~
Please join me at these inspiring sites... 

SUNDAY
Dishing It and Digging It @ Rustic and Refined

MONDAY

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