Turning a Problem Into a Feature

Repurposing a wishing well into a planter

Today we ’re chatter Kathleen Hooper ’s garden .

When my family and I moved from two Akko in Connecticut to our Winnetka , Illinois ( near Chicago ) house , I inherited a small landscaped yard . My plan was to twist the space into a garden where my family and friends could enjoy sitting around the fire and dining outdoors . There washardscapingI could work with , but there was also a fake wishing well that I design to absent . With too much to do in the first class , I resolve removing the want well would have to wait , and so I used it as a planter .

Seven age later , that problem has turned into a fun part of the garden that divides the two areas , making the distance feel bigger and more lush . With lots of fledged shade Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , the water well is inpartial wraith , and I filled it with well - debilitate potting soil .

Over the age I ’ve engraft many combinations of works . This yr is one of my favorite , with a purple / greenish / bloodless color scheme featuringColocasiaesculenta‘Black Magic ’ ( zona 8–11 or as an annual),Lysimachianummularia(Zones 3–9),Hosta‘Curly Fries ’ ( zone 3–9),Begoniasemperflorens(Zones 10–11 or as an annual),Strobilanthesdyerianus(Zones 8–10 or as an annual),Tradescantiapallida(Zones 7–10 or as an annual ) , andAlternantheraficoidea(Zone 10 or as an annual ) .

Throughout the time of year there has been sake . As theColocasiaestablished , theHostabloomed with lovely purplish and white - stripy flowers . TheLysimachiaoverwintered in the water well and render falling over the stone and softening it . I love the agency theTradescantiapokes through theLysimachiacontrasting with grain and colour . I like to have art on my garden , and I think the ceramic green birdhouse was a fun add-on .

What started as a trouble has turned into a much - bed part of my garden !

The wish well now overflow with goldenLysimachia !

I love the agency theLysimachiafoliage glowing in contrast to the palisade foliage and darkpatiofurniture .

Colocasia‘Black magic trick ’ living up to the name with wonderfully richly colored leaves .

Dark and golden foliage growing together is always a win compounding .

Hosta‘Curly Fries ’ has minute , waved foliation .

This wide view shows how the wish - well - call on - planter fit into the larger , beautiful , landscape painting .

Hostasare ordinarily grown for the foliation , but many varieties have beautiful flowers as well . These are very elegant .

The whole plantation owner , with all the tropicals at their summer peak , appear stunning .

If you need to see more of Kathleen ’s garden , check out her instagram:@Kat.b.lou.garden

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