John and Janet Helbling, owners of Sewickley Creek Greenhouse in Franklin Park, plant some of the most creative containers you'll never see.
Bob Donaldson, Post-GazetteJanet Helbling sets out a container planted with several varieties of flowers available at Sewickley Creek Greenhouses in Franklin Park.
Click photo for larger image.
Sewickley Creek Greenhouse is located at 2639 Big Sewickley Creek Road, Franklin Park. 724-935-8500. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until the flowers run out. Otto & Gert's, 253 Mercer St., Harmony. 724-452-2326. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.
That's because they don't have time to make many. They're so busy growing plants by the thousands and raising their four kids that the ones they do manage to put together are gone as fast as they hit the floor.
We convinced them to take some time out of their busy schedule to create a few for us and give us some pointers on how to create great containers for the patio and porch. But the joke was on us. The pots they put together were sold before our photographer got to the greenhouse. So Mrs. Helbling graciously put one together on the spot when he arrived.
Clearly, if you end up with one of their creations, you are a lucky person.
So here is what Mr. Helbling told us about putting together smashing containers. The couple, who live in Zelienople and also run Otto & Gert's, a flower shop/creamery/gift shop in Harmony, obviously know a thing or two about the subject.
"You want to make a mixture of things," he says. "Texturing is very important. Petunias and begonias don't go together but so many leaf textures do look good together."
Color is also a factor; play around and see what works and what doesn't. Don't limit yourself to annuals.
"All annuals makes a boring container. Pick up a fern or perennial or a tropical plant -- something to make it different, anything that is cool -- and build off of that. The container will kind of evolve off of that plant," he says.
He uses plants such as artichokes, optic grass, grasses and begonias with different-colored foliages.
"You can use anything in a container that you like," he says.
Sometimes, the shape of the container determines what will go in it.
"The container lends itself to different types of plantings, if it's a low bowl or a tall planter," he says.
Experiment. Too many people have a fear of containers he says. They are afraid that somebody is going to say something that is not nice about their pot. But if you like it, that's all that matters.
"If you like a holly bush, put it in a container and put it on your deck, especially with the deer ruining everything.
"I've had flowering crab(apples) on my patio for years (in pots). You don't have to bring everything in. You do it for the love of plants and for the feel it gives you."
The idea is that the container is finished, or nearly so, when you are finished planting it. Of course, you need to leave a little room for the plants to grow.
"You are not planting a garden and waiting for it to grow," he laughs. "That's not a container."
And if something dies or it just doesn't work, oh well.
"Pull it out and replace it. Take a few things out, change things up, add things, replace things -- that's what makes containers fun," he says. You can plant containers all season. You don't have to stop at the end of May. If you see something that tickles your fancy, go for it. But his nursery is a good place to start (Otto & Gert's also sells plants). He's got everything you need -- pots, soil and wonderful plants. They also have great outdoor furniture made by Uwharrie Chair (you've got to have something other than containers on your patio).
And if you make a mistake on your container, don't have a cow.
"They make it such a science," he laughs. "You are just working on some flowers. Just do it! It's therapeutic!
"You'll be as happy as can be!"
First Published: May 25, 2007, 10:15 p.m.
