Garden

GOOD LIVING

Three’s a Charm Grubb chose a trio of plants that are interesting on their own—feathery Grevillea ‘Peaches and Cream’, sculptural Aloe plicatilis, and Portulacaria afra ‘Variegata’— and potted them in complemen- tary rust-colored and white con- tainers to make a cohesive group.

SITTING PRETTY

Plants in containers have small footprints but make a big, beautiful impression. They’re a welcome sight at a front door, bring life to a back patio, and can even serve as a lush centerpiece on an outdoor table. Flora Grubb, owner of the eponymous nursery in San Francisco, shares her tips on creating and caring for potted displays, from choosing striking plant combinations to keeping them hydrated and happy.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY CAITLIN ATKINSON TEXT BY MELISSA OZAWA

A Soft Palette Aloe striata, with its peach edges and single bloom, sets the color scheme for this tabletop arrangement. Pencil- like Rhipsalis teres f. heteroclada, a chartreuse mat of Sedum ‘Fine Gold Leaf’, and rosettes of burgundy and sage echeveria com- plete the picture.

Garden

GOOD LIVING

Easy Evergreens Housed in an allweather pot, these hardy dwarf conifers—stately Chamae cyparis obtusa ‘Habari’, yellow-green Chamaecyparis pisi- fera ‘Filifera Aurea’, and light-green Cryptomeria japonica ‘Little Diamond’—can withstand even freezing temperatures.

CONTAIN YOUR EXCITEMENT

“A grouping of pots is a focal point—a part of the landscape that you want to look good all the time,” says Grubb. Here’s how to create a dazzling display.

STEP ONE

Choose a vessel

“Select your pot first,” says Grubb. “It’s your investment, and you’ll have it even as plants come and go.” Take a photo of where you want to set your containers and bring it to the nursery. “Put something in the picture for scale, like a measuring tape set to the size you’d like the pot to be,” she says. Don’t be afraid to go big. Large pots make a statement, and most plants are happier in them in the long run. Plus, a small container will need more frequent watering. Also consider color, shape, and material (most ceramics, for example, can’t handle frost). And make sure it has at least one good hole for drainage. STEP TWO

Pick plants

Go for varieties that will work with your conditions. Flowers are fleeting, so Grubb prefers plants like acacia and cotinus for their foliage. Nurseries are full of an amazing array of colors and textures, “but show restraint—not everything is beautiful together,” she says. “Choose one plant that speaks to you.” Then build the rest of the pot around its colors and textures. Also think about how the light will hit them at home: “Plants can look different in sun or shade.” If your pots will be under a porch, for instance, move your picks to a shady spot to see how they look before buying. STEP THREE

Help them thrive

Use organic potting soil when planting. Top-dress containers with compost or more soil at least annually, and water thoroughly. To promote deep root growth, place a hose on a very slow trickle in the pot, and let the water be slowly absorbed until it starts running out the bottom. For lush and robust plants, Grubb pinches back new growth frequently. “It’s an unsung gardening technique,” she says, that keeps them from getting leggy. Every year, clear the drainage hole by tipping back the planter and poking through it with a screwdriver.

Beauty

GOOD LIVING

SMARTER SCREENS

While you’re busy soaking up every minute of these longer, warmer days, your sunblock should be hard at work preventing fine lines, spots, and skin cancer. Fortunately, the newest formulas mean serious business. Loaded with cutting-edge technologies, silky-smooth textures, and added skin-care benefits, these 10 standouts will keep you covered from dawn till dusk.

PHOTOGRAPH BY THE MORRISONS TEXT BY MELISSA MILRAD GOLDSTEIN

1

THE REALITY CHECK

Experts advise using a marble-size amount of sunscreen on your face and a golf ball’s worth on your body for proper protection. See how you measure up with La Roche-Posay’s My UV Patch. Placed on your arm, the sticker analyzes your skin using photosensitive dyes, then displays real-time data on your level of UV exposure via a downloadable app. The patch is water- and sweatresistant, and lasts for up to three days; it’s free when you buy an Anthelios product at larocheposay.us or amazon.com.

2

THE AMPHIBIAN

A cult favorite has changed the game again: Shiseido Sports BB Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ now comes In three creamy tints. Its popular WetForce formula, however, still interacts with H2O (even ocean water and perspiration!) to form a water-repellent layer on skin. Sun armor, meet seamless makeup. $38 each, shiseido.com.