Stringing Together an Urban Garden
March 27, 2010 by Robin Plaskoff Horton
What started out two years ago as the whimsical project of Fedor, a Dutch fellow about whom nobody seems to know much, has blossomed into a series of string gardens: planted hanging gardens that are a variation of kokedama, a japanese botanical style.
As he described it to me in an email, the illusive Fedor’s objective, is to have the plants “find their balance” as they grow and become heavier. “As the centrepoint of the plant keeps changing,” says the string gardener, “the plants grow in a way that makes them look more powerfull and like they are floating in mid air.”
The string gardens are meant to be viewed at eye level. Some of the plants are covered with moss and placed in a bowl, others are woven into horizontal nets wich are coverd with moss, clover and grass.
Some float in their environments alone, some are grouped with others creating a sort of horticultural symphony. They are undeniably gorgeous in their zen quality.
On a practical note: the gardens are irrigated in different ways. Some have built-in glass resevoirs. Others have an artificial root made from different kinds of moss which transports the water to the ball, others a dripping system that keeps keeps the containing net consistently wet. The majority of the plants need watering every three days to stay adequately saturated.
Category: Container Gardening, Experiencing, Garden Design, Hydroponics, No-Dig Gardening, Sky Planters, Vertical Gardens
Tags: hanging gardens, moss, urban string gardens
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Very interesting! I like it!
— March 28, 2010 @ 17:47
These are absolutley mesmerizing!
— March 28, 2010 @ 20:15
Floating Gardens « Living Walls and Vertical Gardens Pingback said:
[…] – Koke (Moss) Dama (Ball) – “the poor man’s bonsai”. Robin from Urban Gardens Web (a great site) got in touch with Fedor who put his unique twist on typical kokedma by hanging the […]
— April 6, 2010 @ 22:04
It is very interesting. I am not sure how the plant would be fertilized or how long they could last in this way. So interesting.
— April 12, 2010 @ 01:25
This looks like an interesting way to hang annuals from a porch or covered deck. Lots of color with no distractions –
— April 12, 2010 @ 09:03
Daily Dabblings» Blog Archive » When plants can fly Pingback said:
[…] So my google reader gave me the most amazing gem the other day from apartment therapy via Urban Garden and I am super excited to try to create something similar/inspired by this. You can find the full […]
— April 13, 2010 @ 12:21
Defying Gravity With String Gardens | Modernica Blog Pingback said:
[…] via facebook & urban gardens […]
— June 10, 2010 @ 08:34
Green Babes Grow Up | Urban Gardens | Unlimited Thinking For Limited Spaces Pingback said:
[…] a bit of whimsy and humor into your environment. These sculptural baby head vases or planters from Denver designer […]
— November 9, 2010 @ 15:06
Gorgeous String Gardens | MARVIN GARDENS Pingback said:
[…] spotted them on Joanna Goddard’s blog, but when we looked a little deeper we found more info from Urban Gardens. Take a look so you’ll know what we’re talking […]
— January 28, 2011 @ 12:42
String gardens feature plants with soil-covered root balls seated firmly in nets and suspended from the ceiling by tension ropes. Invented in 2011 by Fedor, a Dutch botanist, these pot-free gardens offer an alternative to hanging plants. What’s more, you don’t have to choose a specific type of plant for a string garden. As your skills grow, string up balls of grass, orchids, daises or small trees. For your first few attempts, keep it simple and stick with smaller plants.
— March 9, 2012 @ 04:12
I’m trying these beautiful gardens at home but have found that sisal and jute twines degrade very quickly. What kind go string is recommended for long term care and where can it be purchased? Thanks!
— October 10, 2012 @ 17:33
Girona, Spain's Temps de Flors Festival Blends Horticulture and Art - Urban Gardens Pingback said:
[…] series of hanging plants flanking the sides of his bridge. In their interpretation of traditional Japanese kokedama, floral artists from Rosa Valls Formació suspended flowing kokedama arrangements embellished with […]
— September 4, 2016 @ 20:45
Girona, Spain's Temps de Flors Festival Blends Horticulture & Art Pingback said:
[…] of traditional Japanese kokedama, floral artists from Rosa Valls Formació suspended flowing kokedama arrangements embellished with raffia from each side of the […]
— January 22, 2020 @ 16:14