Thrill, Fill & Spill

When I'm styling a vignette I like to work with layers of height, texture, shape and colour. Something tall at the back, maybe a piece of art on the wall, a vase or lampshade, and layering smaller pieces in front.

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I have to admit to not being much of a gardener, my husband is in charge of ours at home. Although I don't know much about soil types, and what to plant where, I do know what I like the look of, and I've found that the same principals I use in interiors also apply in the garden. Layers of texture, shape and colour make for a very visually appealing garden.

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People used to tell me that when I got my first home I'd become interested in gardening, but that didn't happen. Funnily enough it's creating a small garden for my first office that has sparked my interest in the botanical world. Dael & I are in the process of moving our business out of my living room and into a little office/showroom in Ahuriri. Our friend Anna, from My Veggie Patch, has helped us pick the right plants to withstand the hot conditions down there, and to provide some colourful impact. We're now waiting for our hibiscus and portulaca to burst into bloom. We plan to add a large pot by the front door, and it's Anna who taught me about "thrill, fill and spill".

A pot created by Anna of 'My Veggie Patch' outside FG Smith cafe

I love that phrase, and it's really quite self explanatory... it describes how to plant a container garden. Your 'thrill' is an eye-catching plant with some height at the back of the pot. 'Fill' is a selection of lower plants that fill the rest of the pot. And the last component, 'spill' refers to the plants that fall over the edge of the pot. Here are a couple more examples to show you how fab this looks...

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Although this example (below) is slightly different, in as much as the plants are in individual pots, it has a similar effect - tall foliage at the back, with smaller plants in front. The different textures are gorgeous, don't you think?!

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I really feel inspired to have a go at gardening at our place now. But maybe I'll start with a pot before I let loose in the garden itself :)

My Veggie Patch

You know how I love seeing other women succeed in creating a business out of their passion, and My Veggie Patch is extra special as it's a local Hawke's Bay business. Founder, Anna Curtis, has channelled her love for gardening and healthy eating into a unique business opportunity.

With years of experience in tending her own garden, she's passing on her enthusiasm to her children, and teaching them that veggies don't grow in the supermarket. And if you, like me, are also keen to provide your family with fresh, nutritious veggies, but are perhaps short on time or gardening know-how, Anna will create a garden for you.

If you live in Hawke's Bay you can hire Anna to come and create your very own veggie garden and give you expert advice on how to maintain it. Or you can purchase a veggie crate as an instant garden solution, lined, filled and planted out with seasonal veggie seedlings. These recycled crates are also available to purchase lined and waiting for you to fill and plant, and can be delivered throughout the North Island.

If you're short on space, or have a wall that needs beautifying, the vertical pallet garden is for you. You can plant most small veggie varieties and small plants, anything that likes growing in pots will love the pallet environment. They're great for apartments, offices, shop fronts and more. And the industrial wheel at one end means they're very easy to move around if needed.

As well as gardens and gardening services, Anna has also created a fun and colourful range of My Veggie Patch products. This includes tea towels, harvest hats for adults, and cute bucket hats for the littlies, tote bags, and big spotty Euro-sized cushions - great for your bed or your sofa.

I'm a huge fan of fresh, healthy veggies, but also happen to be slightly challenged in the art of gardening, so I love the idea of having an expert create a garden for me. If this appeals to you too, go and check out Anna's website now. You can also commission her to create customised gardens to suit your space requirements and style preferences. You can keep up to date with all the news on the My Veggie Patch Facebook page.