What would you do with an old wheel and plants? - photos by Rita Elliott

Do you see that old iron wheel in the picture? It leans against the wall of a small storage building, part of a farm that belongs to a friend of mine.

I have always been looking for such an item. I asked if she would donate it to me. She seemed - at first - agreeable to the idea. A good amount of grovelling went on from my part as I explained what I might plant in the 'wedges' of the wheel:

Maybe I would make it a 'herb wheel' and plant parsley, sage, rosemary, fennel, cilantro ... If I put mint, I would remember to put protective barriers along the sides, as this herb is most invasive!

Or a mix of petunias and small begonias. Many more combinations came to my mind as I warmed up to the topic.

I even entertained the idea of creating a 'mineral' wheel by filling the wedges with grey gravel, red, broken brick pieces, white pebbles, etc.

Contrary to my expectations, my friend, who had been listening most attentively, decided she couldn't part with the old wheel. How sad! A couple of months later I went back on a visit. The wheel was embedded in her front lawn. My friend had gone for a mix of begonias and petunias, all blooms in white.

I think I didn't play my hand well.