These are some of my favorite hypertufa containers this year.

Chris all three of those are beautiful. I see your little elm survived the rodent attach, it is looking great.
What is the other little bush/tree?
I love that third photo, the way it is so full and the colors are amazing with the tiny blooms.

The first 2 pictures are both the same elm, the 3rd picture is a mini arborvite. I have to find something different to do with the container that the rabbits keep chomping on in winter. Maybe put that one in the unheated garage for the winter.

I make chicken wire "hats" for my hypertufa pots for the winter. They go up and over the plants and down the sides and a bit on the ground. The bit on the gound we put rocks on to keep the chicken wire from blowing off during the chinooks.

I have so many rabbits that I put a hot wire around my vegetable garden. The rabbits leave the semps alone in the summer, but they really like them in the winter.

I really like the idea of the wire cage Tabby.

Chris how did you over winter your elm this last winter? I really need to know so I don't lose mine this winter.

I just stuck the container up against the house like the rest of them. It had to fend for itself.

Chris, I love your hypertufa containers. I really want to try to do those. But for some reason the thought scares me. I'm not sure if I can do more that make a mess. But I love yours.

Thanks Debbie. Yes, that's one hobby that does make a mess! It's not hard to do though.

valleylynn said:Chris all three of those are beautiful.

Wonderful combinations! Did you make the cute little frog I spotted on the rock in the first one?

Debbie, I was scared too! It took me at least two years before I dared to "make a mess". Even though I haven't tried a hypertufa mix, I've made plenty of messes with concrete and I'm having a "ball"!

Thanks! No, I didn't make the frog. It's a little plastic one my neice gave me years ago.

Chris thanks for the info on winter placement of the Ullmus x hollandica 'Jacqueline Hillier'. I am so thankful to you for introducing me to this wonderful miniature elm tree.

You're welcome! Mine didn't bounce back quite as good this year. That's why I need to protect it more from now on.

It sure looks like it's doing really well Chris.

so I don't mess up your container thread.. I posted my first attempt here
http://garden.org/thread/go/46...

First attempt at what Allison.

tufa tombstone

I spent a lot of time this summer messing with my favorite mud, and got some great tips from the facebook group too; http://www.facebook.com/groups...

Here's a few things that got accomplished: These are patio blocks that are actually soil cement, using a mold made out of a styrofoam block. There is more information on this on my website: http://www.bluefoxfarm.com/pat...


I also had lots of fun making these:



There is more information and pictures here: http://www.bluefoxfarm.com/hyp...

This container was fun to make too, out of the base of a birdcage salvaged from the recycle center (I have HH trained - he found it and brought it home);

Here's more on that one: http://www.bluefoxfarm.com/hyp...

The inspiration is infinite - you can use this magical stuff to make all kinds of great garden art. Jump in, the water's fine!

The hand is really really cool.
I think I'll put it on my list to try for next summer. All I did this summer was a bunch of basic boring pots.

I wonder what would be the best mix for it? Would a sand, cement mix be stronger than a hypertufa mix? Maybe a cement, perlite, vermiculite mix without the peat be better?
I've got lots of latex gloves to use to experiment with.

Jacki you have really been busy this last summer. Love the earth/cement stones. Hope I get a chance to try that next summer. I know right where I would use them.
I remember when you were experimenting with the hand. It sure turned out wonderful. What an great way to display one of our favorite semps/sedum, or both.

The tutorials are excellent.

How have things gone for you this summer? What's your favorite semp for this year?

great job.. the hand is the coolest!!!..

my tombstone did come out good. it's solid alright.. but we decided having 20 - 30 of them.. would be too much to store.. amazing how heavy it is even with the perlite & coir .. there is one spot on the seam between the two sides that I need to put a patch but the rest came out great and held together... to my surprise

being my first time I take that as a win.. makes me realize I would like to make some planters and things .. would they crack over winter exposed.. do they need to be covered if left outside?