Friday 13 October 2017

Pure Green Houseplants - Plant of Month for October

October 2017: Pure Green Houseplants of the Month 


The story of Pure Green 
Pure Green is about plants with air-purifying qualities which greatly improve their surroundings. Research by NASA has proved it: some plants absorb harmful substances and carry them away with their roots. They also release oxygen and help maintain the humidity level in the home. The Houseplants of the Month for October are the stars amongst the Natural Air Purifiers: Spathiphyllum, Gerbera, Nephrolepis and ivy. 

Origin
Ivy (Hedera) is a member of the Araliaceae family, and grows on rocks and trees in Asia, Europe and North Africa. The plant is able to climb to a height of 25-30 metres and does particularly well in cooler regions. The Latin name ‘Hedera’ roughly means ‘gripping’ and refers to the roots with which the plant secures itself. Ivy symbolises eternal life, because the plant is evergreen. 
Gerbera flowers in Southern Africa, Asia, South America and Tasmania. This flowering plant is now available in 600 different colours, shapes and sizes. Gerbera is known as a cut flower, but it is the plant that can best absorb harmful substances from the environment. 
Nephrolepis Is a member of the fern family: beautiful foliage plants with very varied appearances which have been growing on Earth since the Devonian period (400-350 million years ago). Nephrolepis occurs in tropical rainforests around the globe. This bushy plant with feathered leaves is one of the best air purifying plants for the home.
Spathiphyllum comes from the tropical rainforests of Colombia and Venezuela, and is the sort of plant that everyone falls in love with straightaway: soft green leaves, white bracts around a flowering spike, and very interactive. If Spathiphyllum is too dry, its leaves droop in order to spring back up again within a couple of hours of being watered. 
What to look for when buying Pure Green 
  • With all the plants you should look at the pot size, diameter, thickness and height of the plant. With ivy it’s worth checking the length of the tendrils, and with Gerbera and Spathiphyllum you should check the number of flowers per plant and the stage of ripeness. 
  • All Pure Green plants should have slightly damp soil. The smaller pot sizes in particular dry out rapidly and then suffer leaf drop, shrivel leaves or dry leaf edges. 
  • Plants should be free of yellow leaves in the heart of the plant, particularly in winter. It's also a good idea to check for various types of scale insects and mealybug. Ivy can also suffer from red spider mite. These pests are often difficult to eradicate in the retail chain or at the consumer, so it’s advisable not to buy the plant.
  • Plants are often sleeved in order to protect them from cold or during shipping. Check that the sleeves are perforated because of the damp that can cause the Botrytis fungus. This grey mould can rapidly infest the plant.
  • During shipping and storage the temperature must be at least 12-15 °C or higher for Spathiphyllum and Nephrolepis. Ivy and Gerbera can tolerate lower temperatures.
Choice of range 
The range of plants with air-purifying properties is large. There are multiple cultivars available of each species:
Ivy offers a wide range of leaf shapes and colours. There are climbing and hanging forms, and many applications are created with it on arches, spheres, pyramids etc. The leaf colour ranges from smooth green through to variegated and marbled, and there is also a wide variety of leaf sizes. Cultivars such as Eva, Kolibri, Pittsburgh, Shamrock and Wonder are very popular. 
Gerbera occurs in many different sizes and forms, and is increasingly popular as a patio plant for use in the spring and summer. There is even a hardy variety (Garvinea).  For use the home there are a number of series that are offered in many colours, such as Durora, Fiori Line, Sundayz and Revolution.
Nephrolepis is by far the most important species within the ferns, with the cultivars Bostoniensis (often called Boston Fern) and Green Lady (narrow leaf) as the best known varieties. But Corditas, Duffii, Emina and Vitale are also attractive ferns with the same air-purifying properties.
Spathiphyllum is available in many sizes, always with a white inflorescence. The leaves are usually green, although there are also a couple with variegated leaves, such as S. Silver Cupido or S. Gimini. Many cultivars are named after composers: Chopin, Figaro, Vivaldi or Bellini. There are now many varieties of Cupido available.  

Care tips for consumers 
All Pure Green Plants should be wrapped carefully for the journey home during the cold months. 
Ivy likes a cool and light spot, but not in bright sunlight. The lighter the leaf, the more light it requires. The more chlorophyll, the less light it needs. The soil should not be allowed to dry out, but nor should the roots be standing in water. Give some plant food once a fortnight, place the plant under the shower from time to time or treat it to a session with the plant spray. Remove old leaves, cut back scrawny tendrils. Ivy cannot tolerate dry air well; this can lead to red spider mite. So don’t place it over a heater.

Gerbera prefers a light spot. The soil should not be allowed to dry out. Give plant food once every three weeks to ensure long, lavish flowering. Carefully remove exhausted flowers with a twisting movement from the heart so that the entire stem comes free. 

Nephrolepis prefers a spot where the temperature is above 12°C, between partial shade and light. The plant can’t tolerate direct sunlight or the dry air over a heater. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Water onto the soil in order to protect the heart of the plant. Rainwater is preferable - ferns cannot cope well with lime and salt. Give the plants some plant food once every 3-4 weeks during the growing season. 
Spathiphyllum prefers a light spot where the temperature is at least 12°C , but does not cope well with full sun. Do not allow the soil to dry out. The plant will show when it’s short of water by drooping. Spray the leaves regularly with tepid water, give some plant food once a month, remove wilted flowers. 

Thank you to Flower Council of Holland for the information and Thejoyofplants.co.uk. for the photos.

If you would like to purchase any of these plants we can get them all in when available from our suppliers.

Sandra x

HousePlant of the month - Pure Green - October


October 2017: Pure Green Houseplants of the Month 


The story of Pure Green 
Pure Green is about plants with air-purifying qualities which greatly improve their surroundings. Research by NASA has proved it: some plants absorb harmful substances and carry them away with their roots. They also release oxygen and help maintain the humidity level in the home. The Houseplants of the Month for October are the stars amongst the Natural Air Purifiers: Spathiphyllum, Gerbera, Nephrolepis and ivy. 
To have a real effect, NASA recommends at least 1 plant (pot size 15/20 cm) per 10 m². The amount of soil is also important, because micro-organisms in the soil absorbs small quantities of air pollutants. Pure Green plants are not only ideal for use in the home, but also in offices and schools.
Origin
Ivy (Hedera) is a member of the Araliaceae family, and grows on rocks and trees in Asia, Europe and North Africa. The plant is able to climb to a height of 25-30 metres and does particularly well in cooler regions. The Latin name ‘Hedera’ roughly means ‘gripping’ and refers to the roots with which the plant secures itself. Ivy symbolises eternal life, because the plant is evergreen. 
Gerbera flowers in Southern Africa, Asia, South America and Tasmania. This flowering plant is now available in 600 different colours, shapes and sizes. Gerbera is known as a cut flower, but it is the plant that can best absorb harmful substances from the environment. 
Nephrolepis Is a member of the fern family: beautiful foliage plants with very varied appearances which have been growing on Earth since the Devonian period (400-350 million years ago). Nephrolepis occurs in tropical rainforests around the globe. This bushy plant with feathered leaves is one of the best air purifying plants for the home.
Spathiphyllum comes from the tropical rainforests of Colombia and Venezuela, and is the sort of plant that everyone falls in love with straightaway: soft green leaves, white bracts around a flowering spike, and very interactive. If Spathiphyllum is too dry, its leaves droop in order to spring back up again within a couple of hours of being watered. 
What to look for when buying Pure Green 
  • With all the plants you should look at the pot size, diameter, thickness and height of the plant. With ivy it’s worth checking the length of the tendrils, and with Gerbera and Spathiphyllum you should check the number of flowers per plant and the stage of ripeness. 
  • All Pure Green plants should have slightly damp soil. The smaller pot sizes in particular dry out rapidly and then suffer leaf drop, shrivel leaves or dry leaf edges. 
  • Plants should be free of yellow leaves in the heart of the plant, particularly in winter. It's also a good idea to check for various types of scale insects and mealybug. Ivy can also suffer from red spider mite. These pests are often difficult to eradicate in the retail chain or at the consumer, so it’s advisable not to buy the plant.
  • Plants are often sleeved in order to protect them from cold or during shipping. Check that the sleeves are perforated because of the damp that can cause the Botrytis fungus. This grey mould can rapidly infest the plant.
  • During shipping and storage the temperature must be at least 12-15 °C or higher for Spathiphyllum and Nephrolepis. Ivy and Gerbera can tolerate lower temperatures.
Choice of range 
The range of plants with air-purifying properties is large. There are multiple cultivars available of each species:
Ivy offers a wide range of leaf shapes and colours. There are climbing and hanging forms, and many applications are created with it on arches, spheres, pyramids etc. The leaf colour ranges from smooth green through to variegated and marbled, and there is also a wide variety of leaf sizes. Cultivars such as Eva, Kolibri, Pittsburgh, Shamrock and Wonder are very popular. 
Gerbera occurs in many different sizes and forms, and is increasingly popular as a patio plant for use in the spring and summer. There is even a hardy variety (Garvinea).  For use the home there are a number of series that are offered in many colours, such as Durora, Fiori Line, Sundayz and Revolution.
Nephrolepis is by far the most important species within the ferns, with the cultivars Bostoniensis (often called Boston Fern) and Green Lady (narrow leaf) as the best known varieties. But Corditas, Duffii, Emina and Vitale are also attractive ferns with the same air-purifying properties.
Spathiphyllum is available in many sizes, always with a white inflorescence. The leaves are usually green, although there are also a couple with variegated leaves, such as S. Silver Cupido or S. Gimini. Many cultivars are named after composers: Chopin, Figaro, Vivaldi or Bellini. There are now many varieties of Cupido available.  
Care tips for consumers 
All Pure Green Plants should be wrapped carefully for the journey home during the cold months. 
Ivy likes a cool and light spot, but not in bright sunlight. The lighter the leaf, the more light it requires. The more chlorophyll, the less light it needs. The soil should not be allowed to dry out, but nor should the roots be standing in water. Give some plant food once a fortnight, place the plant under the shower from time to time or treat it to a session with the plant spray. Remove old leaves, cut back scrawny tendrils. Ivy cannot tolerate dry air well; this can lead to red spider mite. So don’t place it over a heater.
Gerbera prefers a light spot. The soil should not be allowed to dry out. Give plant food once every three weeks to ensure long, lavish flowering. Carefully remove exhausted flowers with a twisting movement from the heart so that the entire stem comes free. 
Nephrolepis prefers a spot where the temperature is above 12°C, between partial shade and light. The plant can’t tolerate direct sunlight or the dry air over a heater. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Water onto the soil in order to protect the heart of the plant. Rainwater is preferable - ferns cannot cope well with lime and salt. Give the plants some plant food once every 3-4 weeks during the growing season. 
Spathiphyllum prefers a light spot where the temperature is at least 12°C , but does not cope well with full sun. Do not allow the soil to dry out. The plant will show when it’s short of water by drooping. Spray the leaves regularly with tepid water, give some plant food once a month, remove wilted flowers.
With thanks to https://www.flowercouncil.co.uk for all information

These plants fit in well with the Pantone colour of the year 'Greenery'. Choose these plants as part of your wedding displays. Use foliage such as ferns and ivy in your bouquets and buttonholes and for the tables make groups of plants your centrepieces. Display on log slices or small logs with moss to really set them off. These could then be given away as gifts for your guests to have a lasting remembrance of your day.

To discuss how we could style this look for you, get in touch to book a consultation today.

Sandra x

Thursday 12 October 2017

Pink wedding reception flowers

Will you tickled pink with your reception flower designs? A very popular colour once again and many flowers come in many shades of pink, so always lots of choice, whatever time of year.
Your guest tables can be sweetly simple or more ornate, whatever your choice I am sure we can fulfil your style.

Gerbera with fountain and bear grass in a vase


or gerbera heads floating in a fish bowl. There bring a splash of colour while keeping budget down.


Our beautiful wine glass designs are a great talking point for your guests, roses and gerbera


or lily and roses, the choice is yours.


For long tables there isn't much room so fish bowls with a hydrangea head are just perfect.


We have a range of sizes for fish bowls and the large ones are lovely on round tables,


and a range of sizes for your top table. These are filled with an array of summer blooms.


Jam jars are still popular and these cute ones with candles are full of summer loveliness.



Our large hurricane vases can be filled with any flower but these spring hyacinths will certainly oil the air with their luscious scent.


Low martini vases are a nice change from fish bowls.


Another jam jar setting with larger flower heads of full roses and peonies.



Glass Cubes are a step up from jam jars, here filled with beautiful roses and peony.


Or how about bright pink lily with willow detail for height?


For extra height we have lilies in tall vases, adding colour to a marquee without blowing the budget.



These are slightly fuller for a dramatic styled setting.


Posies are perfect summer flower displays and are excellent to give away as gifts afterwards.
Gerbera, hydrangea, stocks and spray roses




or different varieties of roses with freesia.


Our gorgeous pumpkin vases make cute displays, roses, wax flower, carnations and ferns,


intersperse with jam jars of roses, peonies and sweet peas, to add a touch of glamour.


Simple vases of flowers are often overlooked. Spring tulips with fern for a seasonal style setting.


Mix up jam jars for your top table, make your flowers go further with candles too.


May be you are having a sweetheart top table? Go for a small long and low to compliment the bridal bouquet.
Roses, astrantia, eustoma, and spray roses.



Having a formal top table? Our beautiful long and lows can be styled to suit your setting.

Roses, lilies and eustoma.


Roses, eustoma, freesia, and mixed foliage.


Having to have an L shape top table? We can create different designs to suit.



Looking for a design with more height for your guest tables? Our stunning candelabras will do just that. Standing at 100cm tall plus candle these are show stoppers.


Or our tall martini vases can be filled with an array of flowers, stocks, alstroemeria, roses, gyp, and lots of country foliage.



Or our tall vases can be topped with a flower ball to give the look of floating designs.


Beautiful bird cages are popular for a country styled day.


There are many options to have flowers around venues as well as the tables.
Here a sideboard can have its own sweet display



and a stunning fireplace always needs flowers.


From half design


to full size, we can create them to suit.


Not wanting an entrance pedestal? Our tall bird cages can have a beautiful flower display attached and be used as a card collector too.


Don't forget stairwells and banisters. Garlands will look stunning in your photos and who wouldn't want to walk past beautiful flowers on their way to say 'I do"



Lots of designs and voice and many more available.

To see more of these weddings, search on the labels for Colour:Pink and..... or by Venue....

If you love our flowers and would like to talk through your options, please get in touch to book a consultation.

Sandra x

Wednesday 11 October 2017

Wedding flowers at The Coach House Doddington Hall

Continuing our feature on local venues we take a closer look at our flower designs at the beautiful coach house at Doddington Hall.

The wedding ceremony that we dressed and styles was held in the coach house. The ceremony table was styled with a long garland style design to cover the front of the table.


It was filled with a beautiful array of pastel blooms including gerbera, roses, bouvardia, spray roses and lovely foliage.
This would later be transferred to the top table.


The beautiful chivari chairs on the aisle were dressed with our small hurricane vases filled with posies of daisies, hung with gorgeous satin ribbon which was tied with a bow.


For a more formal style wedding reception, on half the tables we styled glass cubes with calla lily, oriental lilies and curcumas,



and on the other half the low cylinder vases had a lovely display of oriental lilies and bear grass.


Not forgetting the coffee tables, with their own smaller take on the displays.
These are perfect as gifts for the significant members of your party.



If you prefer taller designs this pale pink and blue wedding was oh so pretty.


Our tall candelabras styled with taper candles, blue hydrangea and pink and white roses certainly add height to the designs


While on the other tables pretty flower balls stood atop our tall conical vases.


For a simpler style, jam jars with a single delphinium  and gyp may be more your look. 


Beautifully simple yet very effective.


Back to the country style, zinc jugs filled with beautiful mix of pastel blooms.


To jazz up a door way or corner we have bay trees to hire



or perhaps something more flowery and a pedestal filled with white and cream blooms.


Having welcome boards that just need a flowery touch? we can accommodate with a few blooms and lots of trailing foliage


Also make sure the sweet cart doesn't miss out.


The coach house is a beautiful space perfectly decorated so you can add your own style.
Are you getting married here, or at another similar location? We would love to hear your wedding plans and in particular your flowery dreams. Let us help you create your perfect displays - 
book a consultation and start the ball rolling today.

Happy planning

Sandra X