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PlantTherapy: Hot or Not?

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Of all the flower boxes I have seen this summer this had to be the brightest and most vibrant, not to mention there must be at least 40 linear feet of plants! Lots of people stop to stare when they walk by, but I wonder if they like it or think it's over the top...


 
 

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It's a mix of croton, begonias, ferns, coleus, and blue pansies. To my eyes it looks like someone planted a pack of Gummi Bears and they sprouted. It is lush and dense, a clash of saturated colors. To look at the schoolchildren's eyes when they pass you can see it provokes their imaginations and dares them not to touch. Personally it's not for me (I am a big fan of some of these plants, but not all), but it still was exciting to see.

matt at apartment therapy dot com

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Comments (17)

I can't imagine finding fault with a well tended healthy patch of plants. I think this is beautiful!

posted by LilyC on September 13th 2008 at 7:19am
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sumptuous, gorgeous, inviting, happy-fying..!

posted by *heather leaf* on September 13th 2008 at 7:33am
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Love it!! Not a mix of plants I'd normally consider, but very unique and beautiful. I love the contrast of the lushness and saturated color against all of the stone and iron.

posted by kyragirl on September 13th 2008 at 7:42am
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wish you would of had a photo that was further away to look at.
It does look nice against the stone color and iorn work---might not look so cool if in another situation.

posted by poptart on September 13th 2008 at 8:31am
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gorgeous!! :-)

posted by maike on September 13th 2008 at 8:46am
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In a confined space, next to an elegant gray stone building, I don't think it's too much at all. It's looks fun. But in a different setting, it could look tacky.

posted by Lisa Hunter (Montreal) on September 13th 2008 at 9:10am
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It's beautiful ... a whole garden on a doorstep!

posted by Jane on September 13th 2008 at 9:38am
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Beautiful. Looks like downtown Salt Lake City.

posted by ADonuts on September 13th 2008 at 10:24am
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It reminds me of London, how everyone from the fanciest to the small beautifies their windows and stairways.

posted by Meridith on September 13th 2008 at 1:33pm
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I love it. A sweep of a single plant could emphasize what a limited space it is. As it is, you get the effect of an entire flower border.

And with a gray backdrop, you don't need to worry about clashing. All vibrant healthy plants can look good.

In a city's expanse of hardscape, this is wonderful.

If you have, say, a demanding red brick, I might be a little more hesitant about some color combos.

posted by JosieDaisy on September 13th 2008 at 2:33pm
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What's not to like -- it's a beautiful little city garden!

posted by Mid-C Frank on September 13th 2008 at 3:23pm
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The color combination segues nicely from summer into autumn.

posted by Lori on September 14th 2008 at 6:02am
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Beautiful. So refreshing in a concrete environment. For those of you in NYC, check out the brownstone on the NE corner of Charles and West 4th. Same lushness with variegated cannas.

posted by BillyRes on September 14th 2008 at 9:31am
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It's very pretty. It looks like a big arm corsage.

posted by Mr. Dangerous on September 14th 2008 at 3:50pm
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Nicely done. It shows that someone cares about the community in which they live.

posted by Night Eagle on September 14th 2008 at 4:55pm
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I wanted to vote "Turn that racket off." Just because it was such an amusing statement. I could definitely see how one could step down those stairs and end up screaming in the subway on the way to work. However, in New York where everything is screaming for attention, I felt it was appropriate. It is bold, colorful, an eyeful of life and it's very ready to take on the the world out there!! You go flowers!!

posted by click212 on September 15th 2008 at 6:49am
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just about any flower, plant life, color, greenery is not only attractive, but a needed relief in a gray city

posted by formosagirl on September 15th 2008 at 12:48pm
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