Free things

Peekaboo...

David surprised me last week, when he came home from work. The aged care facility he's employed by, had some plants and containers to discard. Or at least, no-one wanted to look after them any more. There were some mature specimens, inside the pots, and even a metal owl companion, found it's way with some succulents.

I was quite chuffed with that little addition! I don't have this particular succulent yet, so it was another bonus. Healthy. Free. And delivered to my front doorstep. It felt like Christmas came early!

Chlorophytum comosum

I already have this variegated Spider Plant, but was happy for more. As the drought conditions have tested some in the garden. I've lost a few. But now I've gained a few back. Spider plants are like Tribbles though. As long as you have one healthy specimen, they're happy to proliferate like rabbits.

I've never had to worry about this plant, taking over the garden, however. Because the protracted dry spells, tend to sap their vigor. But a survivor in the right location, well that tends to be in a container.

Cuphea hyssopifolia, or Mexican heather

This is another plant which I've purchased in the past, but lost in the garden. Due to dry conditions. I made the mistake of planting them in an exposed area. They do much better in a group of plants, which can offer partial shade, during the day. Especially the hottest parts.

How about that unusual container though! I'm certain it's part of a vertical plant tower, but all that was being discarded at work, was one. I have some ideas for using this container, during summer. I'm thinking something extra for my kitchen garden perhaps.

More succulents and Mexican Heather

Many of the containers we received, had self-seeded into other pots. So I have plenty of young plants, to nurture to maturity. I expect many of these will live on the verandah, in pots. At least while the dry conditions, continue. It's the only way they'll be guaranteed a drink, and survive.

Vinca Rosea, or Madagascar Periwinkle

These delightful flowers were popping out of some containers. It normally has five petals, but this one, had only four. Such a lovely shade of mauve too. Someone knew what they were doing, putting this plant collection together. As each variety has a reputation for being survivors. And living in containers, asks a lot!

Even though there are many bare patches in these pots, what has survived, is in remarkably good condition.

Making more

Still, I like to propagate where I can. Just to insure against losses, or in case I want a mass planting. So I took some extra cuttings from the Periwinkle, and put them with my growing collection of plants, on the kitchen, window sill.

My husband commented recently, while at the sink - he's loving having the plants inside. Which is the whole motivation for me as well. There's an inexplicable quality to plants, which never fails to draw me in.

Sealed ceramic pot

I found a half-drowned bulb, in this container. It doesn't have a drainage hole at the bottom, so that's probably why. I'm attempting to save the bulb, by drying it out. Maybe there will be a surprise flower, in the making, in future? If it doesn't make it though, I still adore the ceramic pot.

I was just thinking recently, I'd like a white ceramic pot, to put my indoors plants in. Like a cover pot for the plastic pot, to go inside. It beats having a saucer underneath, to catch any moisture. So it needs to be sealed, with no drainage holes. This container may not have been suitable for keeping bulbs, but it will be perfect as a cover pot, inside.

All together

I'm thrilled my husband spied the collection, while in the process of being discarded. He asked permission to take them home, and whulla! While these containers look sparse, and perhaps a little unattractive because of that - I see plants which are doing much better, than in my garden.

Some containers are showing effects of sun exposure, but I'll still reuse all the pots. Bad ones will be replaced, at a latter time. For now though, they'll have their respective gaps filled, with other things which need rescuing from the garden. Propagation material, can always bring a garden back from the brink, at a later time.

Red volcanic rock

While I'm on the topic of free things. We also received some free rocks, from another avid gardener, just up the hill from us (Toowoomba). We collected a trailer load from her garden, around seventeen months ago. All in aid of constructing our drystone retaining wall. Which we are never going to finish still in the process of completing, lol.

Amy got in contact with us recently, so we collected more rocks from their garden. Intending to collect the rest, when the kids go back to school. We're so grateful for these wonderful gifts. And more than happy to repurpose them on our property. Whether it be free plants, containers or rocks. We will find a dedicated place for them. We even managed to build an extra metre on a wall. Yay!

Have you received any spontaneous surprises, recently? Or any kind acts of generosity?