Friday, 17 January 2014

Selecting Wrought Iron Plant Holders

By Marissa Velazquez


Wrought iron plant holders are a timeless choice for decorating your home. Whether you place them inside, outside or both you can count on their traditional beauty to contribute to the overall ambiance of your decor. Many of the designs used date back several centuries.

Although the technique of bending and working iron did not make an impact until the Victorian era this metal has been available in China since the thirteenth century. Once craftsmen started working the metal into decorative shapes it became a favored item for royal and upper class estates in the major European countries. It was used to create chairs, decorate carriages, and create arches in gardens to mention just a few of the uses it was put to.

Happily, the Victorian designs have endured for centuries and can be found at nearly any nursery or gardening shop. The delicate arches and ornate trims of seventeenth century designs are available in tables built to hold the plants you have in your yard or patio area. You can also find pots and planters with ornate designs to match the tables.

You can also find planters and stands that do not fit into the classic or traditional molds. Many of the novelty items may include hand worked animal forms as well as farming concepts such as wheel barrows. These pieces can dress your patio into a whimsical fairy filled garden that begs to help you relax every time you enter it. Some will even double as centerpieces for your dining table.

The novelty indoor items many times will be painted or have a copper or bronze platting on them. The nature of the paints and plates are to not wear well in the elements. There can be discoloring of the platting and paint can and will chip off of the metal if exposed to wind and rain or extreme temperature changes. Because of this it is suggested that you not use interior planters outside or in patio areas.

Hanging plants are a breed unto themselves. The options available for suspending the plants above the ground are numerous. Sheppard's hooks are one of the most popular. Most stand about five foot after they have been secured into the soil. They can have as few as one hook or as many as four that creates a circle of plants in the garden. This same concept comes in the form of hooked extensions that attach to walls, trees or any flat surface that will support the weight of the plant.

There are stands that have stone or tile shelving for the plants. They are designed to accent the furniture you choose for your patio area. Many serve as end tables as well as plant stands. Others stand about three inches off the ground and have rollers on the legs for ease when you need to move the plants. These lower stands are meant for larger plants or decorative trees such as dwarf citrus.

Wrought iron plant holders have had a place in homes for centuries. They have withstood the test of time and remain one of the more sought after patio furniture items available today. If you want enduring beauty as well as long term usage this may be the furnishings you need for your patio.




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