Classing up the joint

I miss gardening. Minus my New York years where bars on the windows kept me in, I have always had at least a few pots of tomatoes, peppers and annuals outside, even if I had to climb out a window to get to them. Our place now just doesn't have that as an option. So, with a few new plants, and the desire to make our apartment look more like a home, I took over our kitchen counter and got to planting!  I would be happy to help you do the same with yours!  Plant Nerd, or as a friend put it, Urban Gardening Consultant, or whatever you would like to call me, I miss it.  Plus, Jon has told me I have already maxed out my space here, so please let me help you with yours!

This is how the first table looked before I got started.  

 And this is the second table.

 Plus my shelving system.  It was just a hodge podge of things I had collected over time.  It was apartment living, not home living.

So, I classed it up a bit.

 

I had the pot already and split up a few plants that I had sitting around and added a few new ones.  I like that it looks kind of tropical and fun.  I think the smaller plants will grow in really well and provide a "grass" for the ponytail palm.  

 I also had a cactus in its own pot.  I created a dessert landscape by adding a few other plants I purchased and a couple aloe plants I've been trying to get to root.  

 Jewel had a deal on African Violets and I've just always thought they were pretty.  They can stand being a little pot bound, but I'll have to keep a close eye to make sure they are growing well and staying watered.

 I have never had luck with orchids, but I am hoping with this one.  I mean, it looks good so far.

Since I still like to experiment with propagation, I put this beautiful and yet pot bound succulent on top of a strawberry planter.  I have my trial plants rooting in the side holes.  It looks a lot nicer than having a bunch of larger pots with half dead looking plants hanging out and gives this succulent a lot more room.

This also helps Jon appreciate my hobby.  If it looks purposeful and well displayed, it earns a place in the apartment.