seaside themed planter

[SarfEasticated]

Hi ladies,
I have a bag of seashells that I would like to use in a seaside themed planter. Can you give me some plant suggestions? Planter hasn't been bought yet, so any size, and it will be in full sun on our deck. I'm thinking Whitstable meets Dungeness, rather than anything flash, but planter will be in London so no sea air. Any ideas?
I use to go the BBC website for plant info but it seems to closed down - what sited do you use for inspiration and advice?
Thanks in advance :)

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Actually, after a quick browse of the website, I'm converted to Toast. Some lovely frocks there.

[SarfEasticated]

Some weird trousers in the sale section, but very nice styles. They have been know to sell Victorian style frock coats and button up ankle boots too, but not this season unfortunately.

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

How have I managed to miss Toast until now? I do like naice clothes. In fact, niceness and naiceness might be the bedrock of our new dictatorship happy community.

[SarfEasticated]

Naiceness and suitable foundation garments. Actually I wonder if we could be the People's Republic of Mothers Net? I've never really approved of the word Mum.

Convulvus must be made illegal, starting with my garden, Monty Don can be Prime Minister and no one is allowed to drop litter or let their dogs poo on the pavement.

[Grockle]

Oooo, what a plan. I, too, am fond of liberty prints. I will have to look at toast. I always discard them without looking for fear of the price.

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

But if Monty is PM, what are we going to do?

Grockle - I think the sale corner of the Toast website is probably the way to go.

[SarfEasticated]

As supreme rulers our duty will be to order MD about!
Grockle - state your preferred liberty print - maybe vertical stripes like the French flag?
Yes Toast in the sale only - until the revolution when they will send us lots of stuff for free.

[BertieBotts]

Alpines would be great because they're hardy and I love the way they look tiny

[SarfEasticated]

Thanks Bertie, I like alpines too, good idea.

maud and grockle do you think we should take over Switzerland too? Handy for clocks and chocolate?

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Oh yes to the Liberty print tricouleur!

But do the Swiss need us, SarfEast? I suspect there are other nations in greater need of being bossed about by English [forgive the presumption] women our benevolent guidance. The French, for example. Wonderful country but dog poo-a-gogo.

[SarfEasticated]

Too true Maud, I'm all for taking over Europe, but you are the voice of reason. We can only do so much, mustn't spread ourselves too thin, our people need us. We have much to do: manners; decency; standards... where to start? Maybe we need to enlist the WI?

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Some of us, SarfEast, have ::cough:: already infiltrated the WI. I believe there's a branch not unadjacent to your home, too.

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Looks like the revolution may encounter some resistance!

[SarfEasticated]

not everyone will share our vision Maud, poor souls.

[UnrequitedSkink]

I've just seen this article about a seaside garden - gives a good list of relevant planting at the bottom. And not a mattress in sight. Bloody posho Telegraph

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

I was at the seaside this weekend plotting our coup and wondered how SarfEast's planter was coming on.

[SarfEasticated]

Well hello ladies . I have just come back from special operations a weekend in Whitstable where I took the opportunity to observe seaside plants in their natural environment. Very pleasant. So I shall attempt to recreate the 'spirit' of a Tankerton beach hut, in a small garden in urban Brassica. I think I should be able to pull it off. Just need to find a nice playhouse for the girlchild, and half a ton of marine aggregate. The Telegraph article is just what I was looking for thank you unrequited skink the plants are lovely. Obviously we are still very much in the planning stage but I plan to open it to the public in the spring I think, may need to get a stuffed seagull to really finish it off nicely. Wonder how long it will last before the foxes try to eat it!

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

I look forward to the unveiling ceremony, SarfEast. Will there be jaunty bunting with a nautical/coastal theme?

[SarfEasticated]

Well maud I don't want to go 'overboard' with the nautical theme (titters) but I think some well chosen accessories would be appropriate - donkey rides perhaps? Nothing too ostentatious though. Maybe a commemorative cocktail...

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

How about one of those boards depicting comically fat figures in striped bathing suits, with holes for visitors to poke their heads through, to provide an amusing photographic souvenir of their visit?

[SarfEasticated]

and possibly a brass band? Hmm I wonder if there is time to build a bandstand...
I must say maud it's lovely to find a kindred spirit on here, I wonder what else in the world needs our touch...

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Oh definitely a brass band, to give a rousing rendition of ^Oh I do like to be beside the seaside in Brassica. And perhaps a local confectioner would make some Brassica rock?

It is only a matter of time before MN rules the world, I feel.

[SarfEasticated]

I wonder if I need planning permission for a band stand...

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Hmm. Maybe it falls within the scope of permitted development? Or would it be a temporary structure and therefore exempt?

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

::Anxious for news::