My name is Allison Pond, and I’m the owner of Primo Pots and Planters in Moorestown, New Jersey. This is a chapter 2 career for me after 20 years in sales ranging from Xerox copiers to pharmaceuticals. After surviving countless layoffs, I left the industry to pursue a job that didn’t destroy my soul. I started this business in 2016 and received my Master Gardener certification in 2019. These are some of the containers I get to make for my clients.
This window box features angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia, Zones 9–11 or as an annual), SunPatiens (Impatiens hawkeri, Zones 10–11 or as an annual), angel wing senecio (Senecio candicans, Zones 8–10 or as an annual), cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus, annual), lobularia (Lobularia maritima, Zones 9–11 or as an annual), and creeping Jenny (Lysmachia nummularia, Zones 3–9).
This topiary was my most popular design this season. It features a braided hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Zones 9–11 or as an annual), SunPatiens, Supertunias (Petunia hybrids, Zones 10–11 or as annuals), sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas, Zones 10–11 or as an annual), Calibrachoa (Zones 10–11 or as an annual), Verbena (Zones 9–11 or as an annual), and Bacopa (Zones 9–11 or as an annual).
This railing planter has a geranium (Pelargonium hybrid, Zones 9–11 or as an annual), angel wing senecio, verbena, Calibrachoa, and Lysmachia.
This planter features geraniums, verbena, senecio (not yet caught up!), and one of my signature accents that I use in every planter.
This window box is full of Pentas (Zones 10–11 or as an annual), Lantana (Zones 8–11 or as an annual), SunPatiens, corkscrew rush (Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’, Zones 5–11), creeping Jenny, and Lobularia. I customized the accents, which are bleached wooden bell cups, and added some moss to the center. These colors were used for the university this student is attending in the fall.
Here’s the planter with solar lights inserted for a college graduation party!
This little pot for a shaded spot contains Caladium (Zones 8–11 or as a tender bulb), Begonia (Zones 10–11 or as an annual), sweet potato vine, an air plant (Tillandsia, Zones 10–11 or as an annual or houseplant), and bell cups.
Me with one of my planters
We weren’t the only ones who adored these planters! A robin built a nest within a week, and we climbed a ladder to get a better look. The robin didn’t even disturb the hibiscus. It was so cool!
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