Blackmamouth is a trio of designers working in Paris. Their 'arbre a table' was shown at the recent Jardins show at the Tuileries in Paris.
Gracefully designed to rest upon a suitable tree trunk the 'arbre a table' becomes more sculpture than furniture.
For a change from your normal hanging basket favourites why not try looking for Ipomoea Sweet Heart 'Light Green'.
It has glorious lime green, trailing, heart shaped foliage. It will also produce the odd pink-lilac flowers in the heat of summer. They are perfect for hanging baskets or to create a bold patio container or window box. Ipomoea Sweetheart prefers full sun and a free draining but moist retentive compost.
They are not frost hardy so must over winter in a greenhouse or sunny windowsill.
It is also available in a dark leaved form Ipomoea Sweetheart Purple.
Look out for the plants in garden centres now under the Proven Winners brand
Airpots, from www.airpotgarden.com ,have been used by commercial growers for several years mainly to grow large trees and shrubs in containers. The idea behind them is that the roots of the plant grow through the holes in the sides of the container, they then dehydrate and thus are pruned by the air, so that they branch further back and downwards in the pot and preventing the roots from encircling the sides of the pot.
The pots are now available on the retail market.The depth of the airpots make them perfect for a range of fruit and veg including potatoes, tomatoes and tree and bush fruit such as apples grown on a dwarfing rootstock. They are not cheap but will last many years and are very cool looking.
'It's all about the roots and the Air-Pot is simply the best way to grow vigorous, healthy plants that produce abundant, healthy crops.
Filled with soil, or your own special potting mix, Air-Pots produce good roots and therefore, good root vegetables.
For other vegetables and fruit, Air-Pots allow you to concentrate on what you can see - the stem, the crown, the flower and fruit - because you can be sure that the foundations are right.
Use under glass, or inside, for tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, chillies, aubergines and lots more.
Use in the garden, for potatoes, sweet potatoes, other root vegetbles and pot grown fruit.
It's all about the roots and the Air-Pot is simply the best way to grow vigorous, healthy plants that produce abundant, healthy crops.
Filled with soil, or your own special potting mix, Air-Pots produce good roots and therefore, good root vegetables.
For other vegetables and fruit, Air-Pots allow you to concentrate on what you can see - the stem, the crown, the flower and fruit - because you can be sure that the foundations are right.
Use under glass, or inside, for tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, chillies, aubergines and lots more.
Use in the garden, for potatoes, sweet potatoes, other root vegetbles and pot grown fruit.'
http://www.airpotgarden.com/store/index.php?app=gbu0&ns=catshow&ref=urban
Most of the evergreen topiary on sale in garden centres and on the web are standard spheres of 'box' (buxus). For something different look for cubes of 'box' - they are more achitectural and a lot easier to clip!
www.newleaftopiary.co.uk From about £128.00 40cm cube
Barby weathers here so you're all prepared with the furniture, the barbeque, the food and drink and oh yes ...what about the music? Yes that right you get the old stereo out with the cable going through the window or find something on your MP3 player and put it in its speaker dock. Not very professional so why not look for something taylor made.
'The OutCast weather-resistant, wireless speaker lets you enjoy rich multi-directional stereo sound throughout your house, in your yard, on your patio and even on your boat. With broadcast range of up to 350 feet, this powerful wireless speaker receives transmissions through walls, floors, and ceilings without the hassle of running wires.'
As regular readers know I am a sucker for bird feeders and boxes that are a bit different. This eco friendly feeder from www.henandhammock.co.uk fits the bill.
'Stylish window bird feeder made from an eco friendly recyclable plastic.
Semi transparent, with a contemporary leaf design which makes it easy to see the birds from any angle.
This bird feeder is easy to attach to a window using the four suction pads and to assemble into a teepee or tunnel shape.
The tray can be used for birdseed and scraps, the wooden perch can be used to skewer apples and suet balls can be hung from the roof clips. It makes a beautiful, practical gift.'
wwwandhammock.co.uk £18.00
http://www.henandhammock.co.uk/products/product_detail.asp?240,0,6,0,2
Water butts are a must in even the smallest garden in the most urban of situations. Most found in garden centres are just green plastic barrels that attach to a rainwater down pipe. These are fine for larger gardens but for yards and small spaces, as yardz has highlighted in the past, something with a bit more design is required. These water butts from www.water-tanks.net come in various sizes and colour finish and have a stylish simplicity that almost hides their purpose.
'Garden Water Butt 280ltr White Marble
Slimline tough and durable water butt ideal for sliding in to small spaces. Made from medium density polyethylene our new 280Litre comes with an 8" vented lid and 3/4" bsp outlet which is ideal for connecting a garden tap or even connecting water butts together.'
www.water-tanks.net £125.35
http://www.water-tanks.net/acatalog/Garden_Water_Butt_280_Ltr_White_Marble.html
I know that the Compospere is not the most practical object to have in a small garden but the design of it is just great and would make a great feature in its own right!
'The CompoSphere is a 315 Litre spherical composter which, because of its shape and design, allows you to easily mix and tumble the contents simply by rolling it around. Similar to a conventional compost tumbler, but its not restricted to a frame and its certainly not conventional!
Every time you roll the composting process is accelerated. Roll regularly and use an organic accelerator and you could enjoy a new supply of compost within a matter of weeks.
The CompoSphere is rotationally moulded using 100% recycled plastic and features an easy-twist lid. Its two hemispheres nest inside each other for convenient shipping and storage.'
www.greenstamp.co.uk £89.99
The trendiest plant container this year is the wire Cage planter. You may have noticed it on Chelsea display gardens this year.
This white version is available from www.heals.co.uk. £120.00
'This wirework planter has a retro feel and is a great alternative to heavy terracotta or ceramic pots.'
http://www.heals.co.uk/Planters+Pots-/Cage-Planter-White/invt/897283
Another really stylish product from the designer Eva Solo.
'Eva Solo Table Top Ceramic BBQ. Gather around this handy table grill so everyone can join in grilling their favourite food. The bowl is made of porcelain, while the grill, and the insert which hold the coals, are made of stainless steel. The BBQ is portable when cool and stands securely on a table guard when in use. After use the bowl, grill and insert can be put in the dishwasher. When not being used as a barbecue the porcelain bowl can be used for salads.'
Available from www.heals.co.uk £175.00
http://www.heals.co.uk/BBQs/Eva-Solo-Table-Top-Ceramic-BBQ/invt/896349
