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Holiday Decorating - How to Plantscape for the Holidays - Foliaire Inc. holiday plantscaping, holiday landscaping, holiday decor

Holiday Decorating: How to Plantscape for the Holidays

  • November 14, 2023/
  • Posted By : Paul Lee/
  • 0 comments /
  • Under : Blog

There’s no better way to celebrate the holidays than by planning your holiday decorating. But where do you start?

To begin, you should first understand the scope of your project. Once you have the right space in mind, you can design the perfect palette for your lobby or office to create an inspiring, memorable holiday aura.

You’ll maximize your enjoyment of the season by choosing a high-quality selection of unique holiday décor. Whether you’re celebrating inside your office or preparing a festive lobby, you deserve an aesthetic experience that can exceed your expectations.

Keep reading for our best holiday decorating tips.

What We’ll Cover:

  • How to plan year-end holiday decorating
  • Step-by-step holiday decorating
  • How to unveil your holiday décor
  • Key takeaways

plant care, holiday plants, plants in the office, winter plants, pet safe plants - Foliaire Inc. Holiday Decor 1

How to Plan Year-End Holiday Decorating

Knowing how to approach your holiday display requires an eye for design. You might want to consult with an expert corporate plantscaping team to help you establish an initial estimate. Combining bright and natural holiday décor creates a premium feel with curated trees, faux/artificial wreaths, and lively poinsettia arrangements.

We recommend arranging your décor in various color palettes and themes to suit your specific brand colors. Make sure you have the capacity and personnel to deliver stunning results in time for the holidays.

Bring Holiday Spirit to Your Office

You’ll want to celebrate in style when it’s the most wonderful time of the year. You should install themes and decorations throughout your workplace to ensure that your space is ready for maximum enjoyment. Whether you’re seeking traditional holiday décor or a more avant-garde approach, you should customize the installation of plants in your office.

Unparalleled Style & Selection

Your company should rely on a beautiful selection of holiday plants and ornaments. If you’re located in a commercial office space, you can include plants like poinsettias, amaryllis, and cyclamen. White orchids and red bromeliads are also popular choices. One popular choice is to custom-build tabletop or desktop floral arrangements for common rooms and reception areas.

The best holiday decorations typically include the following:

  • Trees (with lights and ornaments)
  • Wreaths (for walls and doors)
  • Garlands (for fireplaces and railings)
  • Swags (diamond-shaped decorations to hang on the wall)

Poinsettias and Gift Plants

Traditional live poinsettias add warmth and color to office décor and serve as great holiday plants. Look for the best floral quality in a wide range of sizes and colors– plus amaryllis, Norfolk Island pine, bromeliads, orchids, and much more.

Custom Holiday Décor

Some companies like to put up a tree with wrapped holiday boxes, simulating gifts under the tree. Not only can you customize the color palette, but you can also opt for a non-denominational display!

Your company should offer tasteful and appropriate cultural features, including traditional Christmas plants, Kwanzaa banners, and Hanukkah décor.   Look for the potential in every office space – lobbies, cafeterias, conference rooms, and much more.

Fire Safety Precautions

There are comprehensive safety precautions you should implement to reduce the risk of fire. For example, you should never use cut, live, evergreen trees, wreaths, or swags. This step will protect your employees and guests against any fire risk. Always follow all fire code regulations to protect your holiday plants.

Do you need help decorating your office or storefront?

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Step-By-Step Holiday Decorating

By decorating your office for the holidays, you can provide holiday cheer that guests and employees alike will love. When you decorate your lobby, meeting space, or break room, you can include gorgeous artificial trees, wreaths, and garlands, as well as specialty props and custom-made tableaux. Keep reading a step-by-step breakdown of how your holiday decorations should come together.

1) Define the Theme

Start by choosing a theme that aligns with your corporate interior aesthetic and the festive spirit you wish to evoke. Whether you’re leaning towards a traditional red and green palette or a more modern, minimalistic style, defining the theme sets the tone for your entire holiday decoration.

2) Select the Right Plants and Decorations

Incorporate a mix of live and artificial office interior plants that complement your theme. Consider corporate plants like poinsettias, amaryllis, or festive bromeliads to add a splash of color. For a touch of elegance, white orchids or red cyclamens can be striking.

3) Plan the Layout with Office Planting Design in Mind

Strategically place your plants and decorations to enhance your office space without obstructing pathways or work areas. Consider hanging garlands over doorways, placing wreaths on doors, and arranging tabletop arrangements in common areas. The key is to balance festivity with functionality.

4) Implement Effective Office Plant Watering Systems

If using live plants, ensure they’re properly cared for throughout the season. This might involve setting up an office plant watering schedule to keep your plants looking fresh and vibrant. Remember, well-maintained plants can significantly uplift the holiday mood in an office environment.

5) Final Touches and Lighting

Add the final touches with lighting to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. String lights, lanterns, and even softly lit artificial trees can transform your office into a cozy holiday haven. Ensure all lighting is safely installed and complements the overall décor.

By following these steps, you can create a holiday environment in your office that’s aesthetically pleasing, practical, and conducive to a festive workplace.

plant care, holiday plants, plants in the office, winter plants, pet safe plants - Foliaire Inc. Holiday Decor 2

How to Unveil Your Holiday Décor

Timing

Holiday installations traditionally start right after Thanksgiving. After all, most people want to see their holiday installations immediately to have the longest time to enjoy them. Consequently, we recommend booking your installation date early. This planning will ensure that your installation happens on your schedule.

First, book your installation as early as possible to allow ample lead time for your holiday decorating. That way, your corporate plantscaping firm can conduct an on-site visit or walk-through to describe your ideal holiday display. When you design the layout of your decorations, you should note how many faux and live plants you’ll need.

Storage

It’s just as important to schedule when you want your décor taken down and stored. You should consider storage between seasons for all of the faux/artificial decorations you’ll want to use each year. This storage can even span several locations, like storage closets or a local storage unit.

Styles

When it comes to decking the halls of your office, the styles of your holiday décor play a pivotal role in setting the festive ambiance. The right plantscaping approach will cover a variety of plant and holiday accessory combinations. That way, you can cater to any aesthetic preference, aligning seamlessly with your corporate interior. Here are a few examples to inspire your choices:

  1. Classic Elegance: Combine traditional poinsettias with lush evergreen garlands and twinkling white lights. This timeless style brings a sense of warmth and nostalgia, perfect for creating a welcoming atmosphere in reception areas or conference rooms.
  2. Modern Chic: Opt for sleek arrangements of white orchids or amaryllis paired with minimalist silver or gold accents. This contemporary look suits modern office spaces, offering a sophisticated yet festive feel.
  3. Natural and Rustic: Use an array of corporate plants like Norfolk Island pines or ferns, complemented with wooden ornaments and burlap ribbons. This style brings an organic, cozy touch to your office, ideal for casual lounges or cafeterias.
  4. Bold and Bright: For a more vibrant setup, mix colorful cyclamens or bromeliads with multi-colored lights and playful ornaments. This lively style adds a burst of energy and is great for creative spaces such as marketing departments.
  5. Culturally Diverse: Reflect the diverse holiday traditions with a mix of Kwanzaa banners, a Hanukkah menorah, and classic Christmas trees. This inclusive approach celebrates the season’s multicultural spirit, fostering a sense of community in the workplace.

plant care, holiday plants, plants in the office, winter plants, pet safe plants - Foliaire Inc. Holiday Decor 3

Key Takeaways

Now is the time to initiate contact to help design and plan a holiday display at your office or business. Ensure that the style is thoughtfully curated to enhance your office environment during the holiday season so that your space not only looks festive but feels inviting and inclusive to all who enter. The splendor of the Christmas season typically requires meticulous plant care, and early booking ensures you’ll be ready to transform your office into a luxurious holiday wonderland.

Are you ready to set up your holiday décor?

CONTACT US

View Our Other Plant Care Tips

  • Lawn and Garden
  • Tropical Plants
  • Ferns
  • Philodendrons
  • Fiddle Leaf Figs
  • Why Are My House Plants Dying?
  • How to Find the Best Garden Decor
  • Top 10 Pet-Safe House Plants
  • What’s the Difference Between Plantscaping and Landscaping?

Boston’s #1 Holiday Decorating Plantscapers

Foliaire is a full-service interior and exterior greenscape design-build firm in Boston’s historic South End. For over 40 years, we’ve provided award-winning plantscaping services in the Boston Metro area.

We customize and plan our roof garden projects and interior plantscaping to fit your unique space and tastes. That’s how we’ve built a reputation of unparalleled style and elegance for corporate plantscaping and residential community projects.

In addition, we’ve received several environmental design awards and have appeared in several publications. You can find us in Architectural Digest, House and Garden, Horticulture, and Interiorscape.

Follow us on social media @Foliaire for more valuable plant care advice:

  • Facebook
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How to Take Care of Climbing Plants - Foliaire Boston MA - interior plantscaping, interior planting design, indoor plantscaping, indoor urban garden, interior plant design

How to Take Care of Climbing Plants

  • October 23, 2023/
  • Posted By : Paul Lee/
  • 0 comments /
  • Under : Blog

Climbing plants are not just garden-bound wonders; they can also elevate your indoor spaces, providing that sense of an indoor urban garden. With the right approach and a splash of creativity, these plants can add depth and fresh breath to homes, offices, and other interiors.

Interior Plantscaping 

Interior plantscaping is a unique blend of aesthetic appeal and functionality. It’s not just about adding plants to indoor spaces but placing them in ways that optimize their health and enhance the ambiance. One of the stellar candidates for this is the versatile climbing plant. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or an office professional looking to bring nature closer, this guide is for you.

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What Is a Climbing Plant?

Climbing plants, often mistakenly limited to outdoor landscapes, can gracefully ascend trees and other tall structures. Their categorization into bines and vines offers a diverse range of options for interior planting design. While bines, such as hops and morning glory, wrap their stems around objects, vines like the climbing rose and passion vines use specialized structures for support.

Creeper Plants: A Close Relative

Creeper plants, growing closely to the ground, are often confused with climbers. The key distinction? Their growth direction. Creepers sprawl horizontally while climbers reach for the skies.

The Role of a Trellis

In the realm of climbing plants, trellises play a crucial role. This light framework, usually made of wood or metal, supports the upward growth of these plants. When considering climbing plants for interior plant design, it’s pivotal to research the specific needs of each species. Not all climbing plants require a trellis, but those that do thrive with the right support.

Supporting Climbing Plants

Beyond trellises, climbing plants can embrace a myriad of structures, from fences to walls and arches. As a word of caution, these plants can become weighty; ensuring a sturdy support system is imperative. The art of indoor plantscaping shines here, integrating these climbers seamlessly with the interior decor.

Climbing Plants: Varieties and Care

Tendrils, twiners, scramblers, and adhesive pads – the world of climbing plants is incredibly diverse. Their unique needs range from horizontal supports for tendrils to robust frameworks for the weightier twiners. Scramblers, such as climbing roses, might need some manual assistance with strings or wires.

As part of an indoor urban garden, climbing plants like Boston ivy and climbing hydrangea require specific care. This care includes the right amount of sunlight, optimal soil conditions, and appropriate watering. Keep reading to learn our 4 recommended habits for climbing plant maintenance.

1) Seasonality

Each climbing plant has its prime season. While spring welcomes the clematis, summer is perfect for star jasmine and honeysuckles. And as the cooler months roll in, grapevines and ivy take center stage.

2) Planting

You should plant climbers at least 11-17 inches from their support base to ensure robust growth. This arrangement allows adequate water access to the roots, fostering a healthy plant that will thrive in its indoor environment.

3) Flowering

Transform your outdoor spaces with the vibrant hues of flowering climbers like honeysuckle, morning glories, and Dutchman’s pipe. These plants bring the added charm of blossoms, enhancing the overall appeal of the interior plantscaping.

4) Trimming

While climbers are superb at abundant growth, timely trimming ensures they remain healthy and well-groomed. The trimming season varies, with climbers preferring late winter and clematis being trimmed either in late summer or late fall.

Do you need help decorating your office or storefront?

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The Benefits of Climbing Plants in Urban Gardens

Urban living often poses a challenge for green enthusiasts. The lack of sprawling yards and open spaces can make it difficult for tenants of apartments, high-rises, and condos to cultivate a garden.

But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your gardening ambitions. Here are 6 ways that climbing plants can come to the rescue of the urban gardener in any densely packed metropolis.

1) Space Optimization

Climbing plants, with their upward growth, utilize vertical space, making them perfect for balconies, patios, or even indoor wall spaces. They allow urban dwellers to create an indoor urban garden without the need for large horizontal spaces.

2) Privacy Screen

In closely packed buildings, balconies and windows can sometimes feel exposed. Climbing plants like ivy or jasmine can act as natural screens, offering both privacy and a touch of nature.

3) Temperature Regulation

Climbing plants on exterior walls or balconies can serve as an insulation layer, absorbing sunlight and providing a cooling effect. This effect not only makes your living space more comfortable during the hot summer months but can also help with energy savings.

4) Air Quality Improvement

Dense urban areas often grapple with air quality issues. Climbing plants, like all plants, filter the air, removing toxins and releasing oxygen. An added benefit for those living amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.

5) Mental Well-Being

A touch of green, the rustling of leaves, and the sight of climbing blossoms can be therapeutic. In the heart of an urban jungle, these plants serve as a connection to nature, promoting relaxation and reducing stress.

6) Flexible Design

One of the beauties of climbing plants is their adaptability. Whether you want a lush curtain of green, a colorful cascade of flowers, or a minimalist touch with a single climbing vine, the options are aplenty. They can integrate seamlessly into any interior or outdoor planting design to suit your tastes.

For those navigating the challenges of urban living in cities like Boston, climbing plants offer a flexible and beneficial solution. Not only do they transform compact living spaces into green sanctuaries, but they also amplify the benefits of nature in an urban setting. With the right guidance and care – any urbanite can cultivate a vertical garden oasis.

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Key Takeaways

Modern interior planting design recognizes the value of indoor vines. These can be draped over eaves, placed in hanging pots, or spread across desks. Vines like Philodendron Brazil and Hedera helix are particularly apt for office spaces, blending the tranquility of nature with the dynamism of work environments.

Climbing plants aren’t just about aesthetics; they bring tangible benefits to indoor spaces. They can reduce stress, elevate the mood, improve air quality, and even dampen background noise. They serve as a testament to Foliaire’s expertise in interior plantscaping – providing the perfect merger of nature’s beauty and interior aesthetics.

View Our Other Plant Care Tips

  • Lawn and Garden
  • Tropical Plants
  • Ferns
  • Philodendrons
  • Fiddle Leaf Figs
  • Why Are My House Plants Dying?
  • How to Find the Best Garden Decor
  • Top 10 Pet-Safe House Plants
  • What’s the Difference Between Plantscaping and Landscaping?

Follow us on social media @Foliaire for more valuable plant care advice:

  • Facebook
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  • Instagram

Foliaire Inc Boston MA - best indoor plants, interior planting design, indoor plant maintenance, corporate interior planting, holiday plants

What Are the Best Indoor Plants for Holiday Decor?

  • September 25, 2023/
  • Posted By : Paul Lee/
  • 0 comments /
  • Under : Blog

With the holidays coming up, you might wonder what the best indoor plants for holiday decor are. If you want to create a luxurious and festive atmosphere in your office this year, keep reading for our top indoor winter plants to brighten up your workplace for the holiday season.

Enhance Your Holiday Season With the Right Plants

As the holiday season draws near, it’s time to transform your living spaces, offices, and workspaces into enchanting havens of festive joy. While traditional decorations have their charm, consider adding a touch of nature’s beauty to your holiday decor. Indoor plants bring life, color, and a sense of tranquility to any environment, making them a perfect addition to your holiday celebrations. In this guide, we’ll explore the top indoor plants that not only brighten up your surroundings but also infuse the air with a refreshing natural fragrance, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.

plant care, holiday plants, plants in the office, winter plants, pet safe plants - Foliaire Inc. Holiday Decor

The Magic of Indoor Plants

Indoor plants have a remarkable ability to elevate the atmosphere, and during the holiday season, they play a unique role in spreading cheer and creating a sense of togetherness. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, allowing you to select the perfect ones to complement your existing decor or to serve as the centerpiece of your holiday arrangements.

A Green Oasis for the Holidays

Imagine an office or living room adorned with lush greenery, vibrant blooms, and the soothing presence of nature. These indoor plants not only capture the essence of the season but also offer a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle. From classic favorites like poinsettias to resilient beauties like Christmas cacti, there’s a plant for every taste and skill level. In the following sections, we’ll dive into the specifics of each plant, offering care tips and creative ideas for incorporating them into your holiday setup.

Get ready to embark on a journey through the world of indoor plants, where each leaf and petal tells a story of growth, beauty, and the joy of the holiday season. Whether you’re decking the halls of your home or creating a festive atmosphere in your workplace, these indoor plants are sure to bring smiles, warmth, and a touch of nature’s elegance to your holiday celebrations.

Impress your guests and customers this season

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Poinsettias

Holiday decorating wouldn’t be complete without a poinsettia, the signature holiday plant. With its broad red petals, you could place this plant in almost any room in your workplace. A collection of these best indoor plants will brighten up any office with elegant cheer. These indoor winter plants make the perfect holiday gift for coworkers and clients. 

Poinsettia Plant Care Tips

Place these holiday plants in the office with plenty of sunlight. Make sure you don’t overwater poinsettias, as you’ll want to ensure they keep blooming throughout the holiday season and into the new year.

plant care, holiday plants, plants in the office, winter plants, pet safe plants - Foliaire Inc. Holiday Decor

Christmas Cactus

The Christmas cactus, also known as the schlumbergera, is another wonderful holiday landscaping option. They are very robust plants that are difficult to destroy, making them a good option for anyone who isn’t as experienced at plant care. Plus, they naturally flower in December. 

Christmas Cactus Plant Care Tips

Since the Christmas cactus usually appears in rainforests or jungles, you’re best off putting them in a shaded spot. Common areas and conference rooms are the best homes for this plant. We recommend keeping the pot in a gravel-filled tray for a beautiful display of these plants for added holiday decoration. Overall, the Christmas cactus is a low-maintenance plant requiring minimum attention, which we all look for during this hectic season.

plant care, holiday plants, plants in the office, winter plants, pet safe plants - Foliaire Inc. Holiday Decor

Cyclamen

The variety of colors that cyclamen are available makes it one of the best options for holiday landscaping. They have flowers in various sizes, and many of them have a sweet scent or patterned petals.

Cyclamen Plant Care Tips

Try to keep these holiday plants away from direct sunlight or heating to avoid damaging them. They’ll add more personality and color to any office this holiday season, and you can use your creativity to create a beautiful indoor winter plant display.

plant care, holiday plants, plants in the office, winter plants, pet safe plants - Foliaire Inc. Holiday Decor

Azaleas

Another of the best indoor plants for the holiday season is the azalea, which will brighten up any room in your business. While they’re normally springtime plants, they thrive indoors in the winter. Look for the Christmas Cheer variety, which offers an array of pink, red, and white flowers.

Azalea Plant Care Tips

Try to keep these plants away from sunlight and offer them moist compost. A humid atmosphere will help them to thrive inside during the holiday season, and they’ll soon become one of your favorite indoor plants for holiday decor.

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Moth Orchids

Another high-end ornamental plant option ideal for holiday landscaping is the moth orchid, the common name for the Phalaenopsis plant. Moth orchids are great year-round, but they’re especially well-suited for cold days when you spend a great deal of time indoors. Their elegant flowers will brighten desks and windowsills in your building for months at a time. Don’t be intimidated by their exotic appearance. They need very little to thrive inside. This plant offers a decorative touch to any workplace, and they have long-lasting flowers. 

Orchid Plant Care Tips

Orchids grow well in a warm environment, and you’ll find that they thrive most in a sunny spot. Any orchid would be another wonderful plant for a holiday gift exchange. Your coworkers will love how sophisticated it looks on their desks.

plant care, holiday plants, plants in the office, winter plants, pet safe plants - Foliaire Inc. Holiday Decor

Holly

While you won’t want to add a tall holly tree to your indoor landscaping for the holidays, you can add small holly shrubs around your office. We recommend looking for the female varieties, as only these produce bright red berries. Use faux (artificial) holly for holly wreaths to avoid a fire hazard.

If you feel creative, you could try creating your wreaths using plastic, wood, and papier-mache. This activity is a fun, festive team-building exercise to get in the holiday mood. The deep green and red colors of holly add to the holiday cheer and will look great in offices with any color scheme.

Holly Plant Care Tips

It’s important to keep your cut holly in a cool environment, away from prolonged heat or cold. Cut holly will survive for much longer if the stems remain in the water, similar to other cut flowers. If you have cut holly arrangements that include a water containment base, you should add fresh water regularly. Bringing live holly plants indoors will contribute a lively accent to your décor, but live holly won’t last more than a couple of months indoors during the winter.

plant care, holiday plants, plants in the office, winter plants, pet safe plants - Foliaire Inc. Holiday Decor

Amaryllis

If you want to mix things up, switch out some poinsettias for amaryllises. These plants have become even more popular and are among the best indoor plants for holiday landscaping. Amaryllises have a beautiful bloom that requires minimal care yet still lasts a few weeks. They come in various colors to match your office décor, including red, coral, white, and pink.

Amaryllis Plant Care Tips

When you first purchase your plant, we recommend putting it in a more luxurious container instead of its original pot. This transition will help to add extra decoration to your space and highlight the beauty of this plant. Just plant the bulb in good potting soil, water regularly, and provide bright, indirect light. A support stake is handy for keeping the blooms upright, but you shouldn’t need to do much else. Most varieties will begin blooming six to eight weeks after planting, though some can take as long as ten weeks.

plant care, holiday plants, plants in the office, winter plants, pet safe plants - Foliaire Inc. Holiday Decor

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe is another top indoor winter plant. They typically keep blooming for many weeks at a time. These holiday plants usually include white, red, or pink flowers, but you can also find yellow or orange varieties. Since the kalanchoe is a succulent plant, it will appreciate bright light or direct sun. The best rooms to place these indoor plants for holiday decor are your break room, conference room, or any condition with ample sunlight.

Kalanchoe Plant Care Tips

Regarding looking after these plants, they are very low-maintenance, so you’ll only need to water them when the soil starts to feel dry. Getting them to rebloom can sometimes be challenging, but they’ll still make a lovely addition to your office as an evergreen plant.

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Key Takeaways

You’ll have no issue adding more holiday cheer to your office by combining these best indoor plants this holiday season. Always think about the best common areas to add holiday plants, as they’ll need to receive ample light and water they require to grow and bloom. Holiday landscaping is a wonderful way to lift your team’s spirits. Proper care is much more refined than adding typical holiday decorations. Enjoy mixing and matching these holiday plants this season and celebrating with your team in a beautifully decorated environment.

View Our Other Plant Care Tips

  • Lawn and Garden
  • Tropical Plants
  • Ferns
  • Philodendrons
  • Fiddle Leaf Figs
  • Why Are My House Plants Dying?
  • How to Find the Best Garden Decor
  • Top 10 Pet-Safe House Plants
  • What’s the Difference Between Plantscaping and Landscaping?

 

Boston’s #1 Holiday Decorating Plantscapers

Foliaire is a full-service interior and exterior greenscape design-build firm in Boston’s historic South End. For over 40 years, we’ve provided award-winning plantscaping services in the Boston Metro area.

We customize and plan our roof garden projects and interior plantscaping to fit your unique space and tastes. That’s how we’ve built a reputation of unparalleled style and elegance for corporate plantscaping and residential community projects.

In addition, we’ve received several environmental design awards and have appeared in several publications. You can find us in Architectural Digest, House and Garden, Horticulture, and Interiorscape.

Follow us on social media @Foliaire for more valuable plant care advice:

  • Facebook
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attract butterflies

How to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden

  • September 7, 2023/
  • Posted By : Paul Lee/
  • 0 comments /
  • Under : Blog

For many, a garden is incomplete if you can’t attract butterflies. These wonderful pollinators can enhance your garden’s health, adding vibrant and unique movement to your landscape. However, their delicate nature requires an ideal environment for thriving and reproducing. There are important do’s and don’ts when creating a haven for butterflies. Today, we will discuss factors that you can change to attract butterflies to your garden and guide you in creating the perfect ecosystem for them. 

We will cover: 

  • Preparing your greenspace for butterflies 
  • Conducting proper research 
  • Selecting the correct plants 
  • Establishing an ecosystem 
  • Key takeaways 

Why Aren’t There Butterflies in Your Garden Already? 

Before we begin creating a beautiful space to attract butterflies, it’s important to ensure there are no factors deterring them. First, ensure sufficient light in your garden, as butterflies thrive in sunny areas. Find a spot that receives ample sunlight throughout the day, which is crucial for the flowering plants providing nectar. Second, create a water source. Butterflies need a safe place to hydrate. A shallow water source with a perch will keep butterflies hydrated on hot summer days. Thirdly, provide sufficient shelter with shrubs or bushes. Butterflies require a safe haven from predators and harsh weather to protect their delicate wings. Finally, and most importantly, avoid using chemicals. Pesticides may harm these beautiful creatures. Opt for organic gardening and landscaping practices to protect both yourself and butterflies from harmful synthetic chemicals. 

Conduct Research Before Creating Your Garden

Research native butterflies in your area. This will help you understand their reproduction cycles and the plants that attract them, providing insight into the wonderful creatures residing in your environment. Studying native plants is essential for selecting the right ones to include in your garden. Look for flowering plants and shrubbery, as choosing native plants attracts corresponding native butterflies. 

How to Choose the Right Plants 

Numerous common plants attract butterflies. Milkweed, for instance, is a common plant that draws many butterflies. It offers a safe spot for laying eggs and provides caterpillars with an ideal environment to develop into butterflies. The plant also flowers, providing nectar for butterflies and completing a continuous circle of life. Generally, purple flowering plants are an excellent choices, such as lavender, purple coneflower, butterfly bush, and thyme. Researching native plants reveals the amazing options available for your space. 

Create Your Ecosystem 

Once you’ve eliminated deterrents, researched native butterflies and plants, and chosen suitable plants, it’s time to plan your garden layout greenscape. Consider a water feature with small perches, tall grasses with scattered flowers, or an organic wildflower garden with natural ponds. With a well-thought-out plan, you can create the perfect haven for butterflies, fostering generations of these delightful creatures. 

Key Takeaways 

Welcoming butterflies to your garden requires adequate light, shelter, and water. Minimize pesticide use to protect them from harmful chemicals. Selecting the right plants supports their natural lifecycle. By dedicating care and attention to detail, you can develop a rewarding relationship with butterflies. These pollinators will enhance your garden’s growth and provide a captivating sight. Attracting butterflies demands research and planning, requiring time and patience. The end result is a stunning landscape with graceful butterflies fluttering about. 

About Foliaire

Foliaire is a full-service interior and exterior greenscape design-build firm in Boston’s historic South End. For the last 40 years, we’ve provided the highest quality plantscaping service for clients all across the Boston Metro area. We customize and plan all of our installations to fit your unique space and tastes. That’s how we’ve built a reputation of unparalleled style and elegance for both corporate and residential community projects. In addition, we’ve received several environmental design awards and have appeared in several publications, including Architectural Digest, House and Garden, Horticulture, and Interiorscape. Follow us on social media to learn more:

  • Instagram – @foliaire.inc
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  • LinkedIn – Foliaire-inc

Foliaire Inc. Boston MA Plantscaping - urban garden, urban landscapers, urban landscaping company, urban gardeners, urban gardening planters

5 Urban Gardening Tips for Small Spaces

  • August 21, 2023/
  • Posted By : Paul Lee/
  • 0 comments /
  • Under : Blog

Have you wondered how to transform your limited urban space into a flourishing urban gardening oasis? Well, you’re in the right place!

First, urbanization has improved our lives in terms of ease, connectedness, and cultural variety. However, it also created a problem accessing outdoor space, even though the human longing for greenery and nature hasn’t decreased. On the contrary, it inspired an interest in urban gardening design. It’s an amazing process allowing you to have a majestic and vibrant little garden – even if your place is small!

Keep reading to discover the 5 tips that will allow you to successfully grow wonderful plants in your space! We’ll endeavor to explore every option and consider the hard work that urban landscapers and gardeners do.

We will cover the following:

  • How to think vertically
  • Plant selection
  • Container gardening
  • Storage solutions
  • Soil nutrients
  • Key takeaways

Foliaire Inc. Boston MA Plantscaping - urban garden, urban landscapers, urban landscaping company, urban gardeners, urban gardening planters

Learn How to Think Vertically

Evidence abounds of the renewed interest in urban greenery! You can notice many people caring and looking for ways to reconnect with nature, and it is indeed a way to establish peace amid today’s urban chaos.

With the help of urban landscapers and gardening professionals, individuals are reimagining what’s possible in even the most restricted spaces. Nowadays, a place of life, color, and tranquility is possible on every balcony, roof, window sill, and vacant lot.

When horizontal space is scarce, think vertically! Urban landscaping professionals are adept at incorporating a little nature into urban environments by growing vertical gardens on walls, fences, and trellises.

If you wish to start an urban gardening project but have narrow balconies or patios, vertical planters and hanging baskets are essential tools.

Choose Plant Varieties That Are Space-Efficient

One essential for successful urban gardening is careful plant selection. Consider beautiful plants that thrive in cramped conditions and need little upkeep when designing urban landscapes. Choose miniature vegetables that do well in containers. Furthermore, you can choose compact berry bushes and dwarf fruit trees too.

Need something more specific? Here are 3 urban gardening ideas for plants that you can grow:

American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)

It is a common fruit from New England, but that doesn’t stop people from admiring it because of its bitter and bright berries! Even though it usually grows in wetlands, you may grow cranberries in your urban garden by creating a bog-like atmosphere in a large container.

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

Goldenrod is frequently mistaken for an allergen. However, insects rather than wind pollinate it. Making a moderate tea with its leaves has the potential to be healthy. This plant is a classic native plant with cheery bursts of golden-yellow blossoms that visually appeal to the environment and make significant ecological benefits.

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Have you wondered why this plant is called “Bee Balm”? Because it has nectar-rich flowers that attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies! But don’t forget that it gives your urban garden more vitality and movement. This native bergamot perennial has aromatic foliage and striking pink to orange to red blooms.

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Adopt the Container Gardening Method

The urban gardener’s best friends are containers. Thanks to them, you can create greenscapes anywhere there is a patch of sunlight. Containers range from repurposed crates to modern designer planters. Planters for urban gardening may live in various locations on rooftops, balconies, and windowsills.

Urban landscaping companies frequently utilize container gardening to add natural beauty to commercial spaces by transforming uninteresting walkways into vibrant greenways. Container plants will need careful monitoring so that they don’t dry out. Depending on the location and light exposure, it is not uncommon for container plants to need water daily.

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Find Creative Storage Solutions

Both professional landscapers and hobbyist urban gardeners must fully grasp effective space management. Understanding urban microclimates, including places exposed to direct sunshine or shaded ones, is essential. Urban gardeners may develop healthy ecosystems within constrained areas by maximizing available light and space.

When it comes to planting, you will be glad to know that urban gardening planters are available in various shapes and sizes. There are many options to suit the varying requirements of both decorative and edible gardening projects.

Learn About Soil Nutrients and Health

A key point on the importance of soil fertility and health beckons within any urban gardening project. Understanding soil quality and nutrients will help you develop thriving urban vegetation. Whether you’re an aspiring urban gardener taking care of a balcony garden or a seasoned master designing landscape wonders, the appropriate soil is a must.

  • Before your urban gardening design plan takes shape, here are some tips on checking and keeping the soil perfect!
  • Start by checking the nutrient levels in your soil. On the one hand, you can consider purchasing topsoil balanced and containing all common minerals. On the other hand, using soil from around your home, you can use a kit to check its acidity and minerals. Nowadays, an enormous range of tools and services can help you test the nutrients in your soil.
  • To improve soil structure, water retention, and microbial activity, add organic matter to the soil, such as compost, peat moss, or well-rotted manure.
  • Select fertilizers with balanced nutrient ratios to protect the environment and plants.
  • If a large patch is available, spread mulch over the soil’s surface to prevent weed growth, control temperature, and preserve moisture. Small or constrained areas probably won’t have a weed problem.
  • The most important trait might be “Continuous Learning.” Keep an open mind to new and unusual ideas.

Foliaire Inc. Boston MA Plantscaping - urban garden, urban landscapers, urban landscaping company, urban gardeners, urban gardening planters

Key Takeaways

Urban landscapers play a significant role in turning unused landscapes into an oasis. That also means that urban gardeners are the ones to adapt and use the methods in their communities.
Furthermore, if you want to start with urban gardening, it’s good to start thinking about maximizing your vertical space. You can start by choosing the correct plants, incorporating container gardening, and caring for your plant’s health!

You don’t have to worry if you are starting or have a small space. These approaches will support your success and promote enhancing the city and nature.

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  • Lawn and Garden
  • Tropical Plants
  • Ferns
  • Philodendrons
  • Fiddle Leaf Figs
  • Why Are My House Plants Dying?
  • How to Find the Best Garden Decor
  • Top 10 Pet-Safe House Plants
  • What’s the Difference Between Plantscaping and Landscaping?

 

Boston’s Plant Fabrication and Design Specialists

Foliaire is a full-service interior and exterior greenscape design firm in Boston’s historic South End. For over 40 years, we’ve provided award-winning urban landscaping services in the Boston Metro area.

We customize and plan our exterior landscape designs to fit your unique space and tastes. That’s how we’ve built a reputation of unparalleled style and elegance for corporate plantscaping and rooftop gardens.

In addition, we’ve received several environmental design awards and have appeared in several publications. You can find us in Architectural Digest, House and Garden, Horticulture, and Interiorscape.

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Plant Care Tips - How to Start an Herb Garden - Foliaire Inc. Boston MA Plantscaping - greenscape design, exterior landscape design, rooftop garden, urban landscaping, Boston fabrication

Plant Care Tips: How to Start an Herb Garden

  • July 20, 2023/
  • Posted By : Paul Lee/
  • 0 comments /
  • Under : Blog

An herb garden makes a wonderful addition to any home or office, offering you the chance to grow plants that can be useful for your cooking and food preparation in the future. If you want to grow your herbs, you’ll want to treat this garden differently from your typical garden.

Today we will share our guide on starting an outdoor herb garden and incorporating this into your future rooftop garden or greenscape design.

We will cover the following:

  • Location and sunlight
  • Annual vs. perennial herbs
  • Buying seeds
  • Nursing your seeds
  • Grouping plants together
  • Harvesting your herbs
  • Freezing your leaves
  • Key takeaways

Find a Location With Plenty of Sunlight

Once you’ve found the location for your herb garden, think about the plant care needs of each group of herbs. Try to clump the herbs together to make your watering and urban landscaping care needs easier.

By reading up about each type of herb you plan to plant, you can put them close by to save you time watering and tending to them in the future. Of course, this doesn’t have to limit your creativity around having a fancy exterior landscape design using this method, which will also add an attractive display to your home or office.

Annual vs. Perennial Herbs

Like plants, herbs fall into two categories: annual or perennial. Perennial herbs typically last many years and include popular plants such as oregano, sage, thyme, lavender, mint, and tarragon. Annual herbs usually last just one year before they need replanting or replacing, but they offer a fresh addition to your meals.

Cilantro, dill, and basil are a few of the most popular annual herbs and will make fantastic additions to salads and other dishes. Parsley is another great herb to grow and will typically last for two years before it needs to be replaced or replanted.

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Be Careful Where You Buy Your Seeds

We recommend that you take your time to think about the sources of your plants and herbs. While buying your herbs from a hardware store near your home might seem quick and easy, you might find that this plan backfires in the long run.

Many large stores sell plants that have been on quite the journey to get to the store. That means they have been treated with specific fertilizers to protect them on the way. If you don’t use the same products that they were treated with when you take them home, you’ll find they stop growing or die off very quickly.

Nurse Your Plants From Seed to Stem

We recommend that some herbs start as seeds in your urban landscaping plans for the best results. Cilantro, dill, parsley, and basil can all start growing this way, whereas other herbs can be purchased from your local grower or nursery. If you purchase from a store, try to ask about the fertilizers they use and their top tips for taking these plants home.

The more you can learn about how they were grown and cared for in the past, the easier it will be to keep them alive. Remember, if you’re buying many plants, make your plant care easier by choosing plants in groups. This method will simplify your outdoor or rooftop garden.

Group Your Plants Together By Care Needs

Once you’ve found the location for your herb garden, you need to think about the plant care needs of each group. Try to clump the herbs together to make your watering and urban landscaping care needs easier.

By reading up about each type of herb you plan to plant, you can put them close by to save you time watering and tending to them in the future. Of course, this doesn’t have to limit your creativity around having a fancy exterior landscape design using this method, which will also add an attractive display to your home or office.

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Harvesting Your Herbs

While we often focus on growing in urban landscaping, you must also consider how often you harvest your herbs. Don’t pick your leafy herbs until they are at least six inches tall. Only cut off less than a third of the plant at any time.

Try to evenly pick the leaves off, leaving you with an aesthetically-pleasing plant. You’ll find that the plant then grows back evenly as well, helping to make your herb garden look more attractive. As a result, you’ll continue to produce great results month after month.

Freeze Your Leaves

One handy tip for the end of the growing season is to dry or freeze your leaves. If you live where frost might impact your outdoor or rooftop garden, you can protect your exterior landscape design by freezing and drying seeds and leaves to enjoy them throughout the year.

Another fun way to preserve basil is to blend it with olive oil or water and freeze it in an ice cube tray. This will ensure your plants and hard work don’t go to waste. That way, you can enjoy delicious herbs all year round.

Key Takeaways

An herb garden is a fantastic option for anyone looking to add more life to their home. It also has a handy addition to your plant collection for cooking and garnishing meals. Take your time to research the best herbs to grow in your available space. Lastly, make your life easier by choosing ones that need the same type of plant care.

Many herbs can last for years, making them one of the best options for any urban garden or home. It’s the perfect addition to your property if you enjoy cooking and experimenting in the kitchen. You’ll love the fresh flavors you can add to any dish with just a few herbs you grow at home.

See how we can transform your garden today!

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View Our Other Plant Care Tips

  • Lawn and Garden
  • Tropical Plants
  • Ferns
  • Philodendrons
  • Fiddle Leaf Figs
  • Why Are My House Plants Dying?
  • How to Find the Best Garden Decor
  • Top 10 Pet-Safe House Plants
  • What’s the Difference Between Plantscaping and Landscaping?

 

Boston Fabrication and Design Specialists

Foliaire is a full-service interior and exterior greenscape design firm in Boston’s historic South End. For over 40 years, we’ve provided award-winning urban landscaping services in the Boston Metro area.

We customize and plan our exterior landscape designs to fit your unique space and tastes. That’s how we’ve built a reputation of unparalleled style and elegance for corporate plantscaping and rooftop gardens.

In addition, we’ve received several environmental design awards and have appeared in several publications. You can find us in Architectural Digest, House and Garden, Horticulture, and Interiorscape.

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5 Easy Tips to Take Care of Your Succulent Garden - Foliaire Inc. Boston MA - corporate garden, Boston exterior design, indoor landscape design, plant care, urban landscaping

5 Easy Tips to Take Care of Your Succulent Garden

  • June 27, 2023/
  • Posted By : Paul Lee/
  • 0 comments /
  • Under : Blog

A succulent garden makes for a great addition to any home, and they are ideal for homeowners who don’t have a large outdoor space. Whether you just recently started creating urban landscaping or are thinking of adding a corporate garden to your office, you’ll want to ensure you know how best to take care of these plants.

Keep reading as we share 5 easy plant care tips for your succulent garden this year.

We will cover the following:

  • Which plants are considered succulents?
  • Over-watering
  • Plant containers
  • Lighting
  • Pruning
  • Pest control
  • Key takeaways

Which Plants Are Considered Succulents?

Succulent plants have gained immense popularity among gardeners and plant enthusiasts for their unique characteristics and low-maintenance nature. These plants belong to various families and come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Here are some noteworthy succulent plants, each with its distinct name and origin:

Aloe Vera

This well-known succulent is native to the Arabian Peninsula but is now cultivated worldwide. Recognized for its fleshy leaves and medicinal properties, Aloe vera is a staple in many gardens and is cherished for its ability to soothe burns and moisturize the skin.

Echeveria Elegans

Hailing from Mexico, the Echeveria elegans is a charming rosette-shaped succulent with delicate pale blue-green leaves. It is a popular choice for succulent arrangements and container gardens due to its compact size and captivating aesthetics.

Sedum Morganianum (Burro’s Tail)

Originating from southern Mexico, this trailing succulent is characterized by its long, cascading stems adorned with plump, overlapping leaves. The Burro’s Tail is an excellent choice for hanging baskets or as a trailing feature in rock gardens.

Crassula Ovata (Jade Plant)

Native to South Africa, the Jade Plant is a beloved succulent that symbolizes good luck and prosperity in many cultures. It showcases thick, fleshy leaves in shades of green and can grow into an elegant, tree-like form with proper care.

Haworthia Fasciata

This small succulent is native to South Africa and displays distinctive rosettes of thick, triangular leaves adorned with white horizontal stripes. Haworthia fasciata is well-suited for indoor cultivation and makes an eye-catching addition to any succulent collection.

These are just a few examples of the diverse range of succulent plants available. Their unique characteristics and adaptations to arid environments make them fascinating additions to any garden or indoor space. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, caring for succulents can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

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1) Don’t Over-Water

One of the reasons that so many homeowners are opting to keep succulents in their homes is that they are a low-maintenance option for plant care. Your indoor landscape design won’t need as much care and attention as other plants, so typically, you’ll be okay to water them about once a month during the growing season. If you do need to take a vacation or go away for a business trip, the good news is that succulents still thrive even with less attention.

You can let the plant fully dry out between each watering session so your soil is never soggy. Succulent gardens based inside your home or office will need a stricter schedule since the air inside your home can quickly dry out the soil and plants. Some succulents go dormant during cooler weather, allowing you to spread watering sessions even further. Choose containers with good drainage for the best results and to ensure your succulents aren’t overwatered at any time.

2) Choose the Right Plant Containers

Whether you add cacti, aloe, or kalanchoe to your urban landscaping, you’ll want to think carefully about where and how you plant these succulents. They are best contained within a pot or low bowl, with holes in the bottom to drain the water away from the plant’s roots. Adding multiple succulents in one container for more texture and interest is a great way to start an indoor garden in your home.

Indoor succulents require little maintenance, but you must ensure they have bright and direct sunlight. Once the soil is dry, it indicates they must be watered again. Your home’s humidity and moisture will impact the regularity of your watering schedule, so keep a close eye on the plants when you add them to your indoor landscape design to determine how often you’ll need to water your succulents.

3) Monitor Your Lighting

We sometimes need a little assistance with planting care, where LED grow lights can come into play. While many homes and offices offer a good amount of light for succulents, if you only have north-facing windows, you’ll want to consider investing in one of these lights for extra support for your corporate garden. Succulents thrive with a lot of sunlight, but some plants will be okay in the shade. LED grow lights to offer indoor spaces extra light to ensure plants continue growing at any time of the year.

In the summer, you may notice that your succulents burn in the sun. If you place your plants or indoor landscape design too close to intense light, you may find the leaves go pale or dormant. Just move your succulents away from the window at this time of the year to avoid this issue and keep your plants healthy and looking their best.

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4) Learn How to Prune

A succulent garden doesn’t typically need as much pruning as other plants we may consider for Boston exterior design. However, you may find they get some extra growth when trying to find sun if they don’t get enough light. You’ll need to try and cut down or thin out the plants to help keep them growing and make them an attractive addition to your indoor landscape design.

Most people don’t prune succulents too often; they are best left with their natural look. You can gently prune away any extra parts of the plant as needed, but each succulent’s unique look makes them a fun addition to any home. Succulents have a lot more personality than other plants, so many people love adding a quirky cactus to their corporate garden.

5) Eliminate Pests

Succulents are typically easy for first-time homeowners to add to their space. To ensure your succulents remain in top condition for many months, you’ll want to try to avoid some of the most common problems with succulents. These hardy plants sometimes suffer from pest problems when they stay indoors.

If you notice spider mites or mealybugs, use rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip to help tackle the issue. The biggest killer of succulents isn’t pests, though, and is, in fact, over-watering. Wait until the soil is very dry before watering your succulents again, and choose a pot with good drainage for the best results.

Key Takeaways

Following these five plant care tips, you can enjoy placing succulents in your home or office throughout the year. They don’t need much maintenance or care each week, which is perfect for busy workplaces or homes. However, you’ll want to ensure you find the right watering schedule for your plants so you don’t damage them in the long run.

If you’re going away on vacation, you may find that you can leave them for a few weeks, which is why they are such a good option for anyone who doesn’t have time to maintain a traditional garden. With so many fun succulent options on offer today, you can add a variety of plants to your home to create a centerpiece that will impress your friends and family when they visit.

See how we can transform your garden today!

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View Our Other Plant Care Tips

  • Lawn and Garden
  • Tropical Plants
  • Ferns
  • Philodendrons
  • Fiddle Leaf Figs
  • Why Are My House Plants Dying?
  • How to Find the Best Garden Decor
  • Top 10 Pet-Safe House Plants
  • What’s the Difference Between Plantscaping and Landscaping?

 

Boston Exterior Design Specialists

Foliaire is a full-service interior and exterior greenscape prefabrication firm in Boston’s historic South End. For over 40 years, we’ve provided award-winning urban landscaping services in the Boston Metro area.

We customize and plan our exterior landscape designs to fit your unique space and tastes. That’s how we’ve built a reputation of unparalleled style and elegance for corporate plantscaping and rooftop gardens.

In addition, we’ve received several environmental design awards and have appeared in several publications. You can find us in Architectural Digest, House and Garden, Horticulture, and Interiorscape.

Follow us on social media @Foliaire to learn more about how to improve your plantscaping:

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How to Take Care of Your Garden's Shrub Pruning - exterior landscape design, Boston fabrication, plant care, rooftop garden, urban landscaping - Foliaire Inc.

How to Take Care of Your Garden’s Shrub Pruning

  • May 15, 2023/
  • Posted By : Paul Lee/
  • 0 comments /
  • Under : Blog

Shrub pruning can initially seem daunting, but once you delve into it, you’ll discover how thoroughly it can transform your garden. Mastering this essential skill is necessary if you desire abundant, healthy growth and vibrant blooms. The right gardening techniques can unlock beautifully sculpted forms in your backyard.

While different plants may have specific pruning requirements, this article provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals, equipping you with the knowledge and expert tips to prune your shrubs successfully.

We will cover the following:

  • What is shrub pruning?
  • How to get started with pruning
  • Pinching
  • Thinning
  • Heading
  • Shearing
  • Light pruning vs. hard pruning
  • Which pruning method is right for me?
  • Key takeaways

What Is Shrub Pruning?

Pruning involves purposefully removing specific parts of a plant to achieve various objectives. It enhances the plant’s visual appeal, manages its size, promotes increased flower or leaf production, improves light penetration and air circulation, and contributes to overall plant health by eliminating dead or diseased sections.

When you remove the terminal shoot, pruning disrupts apical dominance, a term commonly used in horticulture. This process stimulates the growth of lateral buds, resulting in new shoots that contribute to a fuller and more robust plant.

How Do I Get Started Pruning My Garden?

Begin by pruning your woody plant in a specific order: dead, damaged, diseased, and structured. Removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches is crucial for the plant’s aesthetics and overall health. Next, eliminate any cross-branching or suckering branches that emerge from the plant’s base. Doing so allows the plant to channel its energy into your desired branches. Once these steps are completed, assess your plant’s needs, such as further pruning for shape, size control, flower production, or aesthetic appeal.

Different plants require various shrub pruning techniques based on their type, age, health, and size or shape concerns. However, a common plant care practice is always cutting back to just above a node. A node is a specific point on a plant stem from which one or more leaves emerge, often appearing as a slight swelling or knob. Keep reading for a brief introduction to the 4 most popular pruning methods.

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1) Pruning Method #1: Pinching

As the name suggests, pinching involves gently removing the terminal bud at the end of a stem using your thumb and forefinger. This action halts the upward growth of the stem, encouraging the development of bushier growth.

Pinching is typically performed on annuals, perennials, and certain small-leafed shrubs to promote compact and lush foliage.

2) Pruning Method #2: Thinning

Thinning cuts are commonly used during maintenance pruning and primarily focus on shaping the plant’s appearance. This technique entails completely removing a shoot or limb back to its point of origin on the main branch or lateral.

Implementing thinning cuts encourages new growth at the unaffected shoot tips while lateral bud development and regrowth are suppressed. Thinning cuts can help you shorten limbs, improve light penetration within the plant, reveal attractive branch structures and decorative bark, and direct the growth of shoots or limbs.

3) Pruning Method #3: Heading

Heading cuts are employed less frequently but are vital in controlling the plant’s growth pattern. This pruning method removes the terminal portion of shoots or limbs, stimulating the growth of buds located just below the cut.

Heading cuts are particularly refreshing, resulting in dense and compact growth, but they can also alter the plant’s natural form. This technique is commonly used for formally pruned hedges. Heading cuts also shape the plant, redirect growth in a desired direction, control the overall size, and increase density by promoting the growth of side stems.

4) Pruning Method #4: Shearing

Shearing is a variation of heading cuts that focus not on cutting back to a specific bud. Instead, this technique stimulates numerous buds to produce new growth, which requires regular repetition once you commence.

Since shearing involves cutting through leaves, it is best suited for small-leafed plants, as any resulting leaf damage is less noticeable. Regular shearing helps maintain a neat and compact appearance, but it should be noted that it may lead to a loss of the plant’s natural form.

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Light Pruning vs. Hard Pruning

While shrubs are generally resilient and unlikely to see severe damage from incorrect pruning, it’s important to get it right first. Let’s delve into some plant care terminology and distinguish between light and hard pruning.

Light pruning involves trimming back each stem to approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of its total length, aiming for a pair of strong buds or a bud facing away from the center of the plant. This method also includes the removal of any diseased stems and ensuring an open and airy center. Sometimes, a light prune may entail cutting out up to one-third of the total number of stems. This routine maintenance should happen every 3-4 years to promote healthy growth and shape the shrub.

On the other hand, hard pruning involves more drastic measures. It requires cutting back all the stems, leaving only 2-3 buds as close to the base as possible. Additionally, up to one-third of the least healthy stems should completely fall off. After a hard prune, you should nourish the shrub through feeding and mulching to aid in rejuvenation. Hard pruning is most appropriate when a plant has become overgrown or lost its desired shape.

Which Shrub Pruning Method Is Right For Me?

Now that we’ve clarified the differences between light pruning and hard pruning, let’s outline a standard procedure to determine which method your garden needs:

  • Always prune approximately 1/4″ to 1/2″ above a node, which is the point where a leaf joins a stem. Dormant buds, responsible for new stem growth, are located at nodes.
  • Avoid pruning below or between two nodes, as this leaves a stub. The internode section between nodes cannot generate new stems and is prone to infection, rotting, or becoming unsightly.
  • Choose nodes with buds facing away from the center of the plant, and in the direction you desire them to grow. This approach helps prevent cross-branching and encourages proper growth patterns.
  • Avoid cutting a branch off flush with the trunk or stem. Instead, leave a slightly swollen area known as the collar, where a branch joins the main trunk or a larger branch. The collar contains specialized tissue that quickly seals the pruning wound and promotes healing. Always ensure the protection of the collar during pruning.

Key Takeaways

Having the right equipment can make the task more efficient regarding shrub pruning tools. A hedge trimmer with extended reach and a pivoting cutting head is ideal for trimming tall hedges. That way, you can reach those difficult areas of the plant. Look for string trimmers that accept hedge trimmer attachments to maximize functionality.

For pruning mature and overgrown shrubs, start by removing the thickest branches. Cut them back to the base of the shrub to encourage new growth and rejuvenation. Hand pruners are perfect for smaller branches, while long-handled loppers provide leverage for cutting branches 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Explore gardening or hardware stores for various hand-pruning tools and gather more information.

Remember to cut with the branch deep in the pruner’s or lopper’s jaws to exert greater cutting force. Make clean cuts to promote quicker healing for the plant. If you live in an area that experiences regular snowfall, consider shaping your hedges and shrubs with rounded tops to minimize heavy snow accumulation.

You can maintain healthy and visually appealing shrubs and hedges with the right shrub pruning tools and techniques. Happy pruning!

See how we can transform your garden today!

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View Our Other Plant Care Tips

  • Lawn and Garden
  • Tropical Plants
  • Ferns
  • Philodendrons
  • Fiddle Leaf Figs
  • Why Are My House Plants Dying?
  • How to Find the Best Garden Decor
  • Top 10 Pet-Safe House Plants
  • What’s the Difference Between Plantscaping and Landscaping?

 

Boston Fabrication Specialists

Foliaire is a full-service interior and exterior greenscape prefabrication firm in Boston’s historic South End. For over 40 years, we’ve provided award-winning urban landscaping services in the Boston Metro area.

We customize and plan our exterior landscape designs to fit your unique space and tastes. That’s how we’ve built a reputation of unparalleled style and elegance for corporate plantscaping and rooftop gardens.

In addition, we’ve received several environmental design awards and have appeared in several publications. You can find us in Architectural Digest, House and Garden, Horticulture, and Interiorscape.

Follow us on social media @Foliaire to learn more about how to improve your plantscaping:

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What Is A Corporate Garden - How Corporate Gardens Can Improve Your Workplace - greenscaping design, corporate plantscaping, corporate garden, urban landscaping, Boston fabrication - Foliaire Inc.

How Corporate Gardens Can Improve Your Workplace

  • April 19, 2023/
  • Posted By : Paul Lee/
  • 0 comments /
  • Under : Blog

With employees returning to the office after working from home for the majority of the year, you are no doubt wondering how you can improve their working experience. Adding a corporate garden to any office can do wonders for your employees and their well-being.

Our team knows that plants can transform any space. That’s why we create stunning corporate plantscaping designs that your employees will love seeing daily. Today we will discover how corporate gardens can improve your workplace and why you should consider investing in one.

What We’ll Cover:

  • What is a corporate garden?
  • Which types of plants appear in corporate gardens?
  • Reduce stress
  • Promote socialization
  • Improve attention and focus
  • Enhance air quality
  • Boost inspiration and creativity
  • Promote employee attendance
  • Absorb background noise
  • Key takeaways

What Is a Corporate Garden?

A corporate garden is an outdoor space designed and maintained by a corporation or business organization to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the office building, provide a space for employees to relax, and promote environmental sustainability. Corporate gardens can take many forms, ranging from urban landscaping and vertical gardens to ground-level gardens and courtyards.

The structure of a corporate garden is typically designed to create a sense of serenity and relaxation. Walkways and paths are often installed to guide visitors through the space, while benches and seating areas are strategically placed to encourage contemplation and reflection. Water features such as fountains or small ponds can also be added to create a calming atmosphere and provide a focal point for the garden.

The aesthetic of a corporate garden is meant to promote a sense of tranquility and natural beauty. Plants are carefully selected and arranged to create a harmonious balance of color and texture. At the same time, seating areas and water features are placed to enhance the overall visual impact of the space. Whether used for a quick break or a stroll, a well-designed corporate garden can provide employees and visitors with a much-needed respite from the stresses of the workplace.

Which Types of Plants Appear in Corporate Gardens?

Commonly, corporate gardens feature a range of plant species, such as perennials, shrubs, and trees. Often, the plant selection will be chosen based on factors such as hardiness, water requirements, and aesthetic appeal. Trees like magnolias, Japanese maples, and flowering dogwoods are popular in corporate gardens, while perennials like black-eyed Susans, lavender, and daylilies are also commonly included.

Additionally, succulents, herbs, and edible plants like tomatoes and basil may be grown in corporate gardens to promote a sustainable and eco-friendly workplace. The overall aesthetic of a corporate garden will depend on the business’s branding. Still, often it will reflect the surrounding environment, be designed to be relaxing and tranquil, and complement the building’s architecture.

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Corporate Gardens Reduce Stress

Corporate gardens offer your team the chance to escape their desk and connect to nature at any point of the day. Getting outside for a walk or a proper lunch break can often feel impossible. This is particularly true in high-pressure companies with endless deadlines.

Your greenscaping design will play a huge role in reducing the stress your team feels. This visual stimulation will allow employees to ground themselves and reconnect with the world around them. In time, they’ll see that their problems aren’t as bad as they thought. They’ll be able to return to work in a better frame of mind.

Corporate Gardens Are a Social Hub

Depending on the size of your new corporate garden, you’ll soon find this becomes a central hub for social activity in your office. We’ve all spent so much of the past year in front of computers at home. Now, it’s time for everyone to reconnect.

When employees can speak to colleagues in a social setting, they’ll grow their relationships. This development positively impacts trust and teamwork, which benefits any organization. Thanks to your interior plant design, you’ll give your team a new place to interact.

Corporate Gardens Improve Your Employees’ Attention Span

One surprising benefit of adding a sophisticated interior planting design is that your team’s attention span will soon increase. Urban environments are full of overwhelming stimuli. These stimuli result in your team losing the ability to focus on even the most basic tasks. We often believe that every email we receive needs a reply straight away.

However, when you’re in the presence of calming office plantscaping like living walls, you can refresh your mind and focus. This simple stimulus works to overcome the constant sensory overload we feel daily while working in our offices.

Corporate Gardens Offer Improved Air Quality

As well as the improvements to your team’s work and well-being, a huge benefit of adding interior plantscaping to any office is the improved air quality. This quality is critical for anyone who works within a large city, as pollution is a common concern for business owners.

In the long run, your employees feel more energized and engaged. The addition of nature to their office space will promote focus. We can all play our small part in overcoming the current air quality issues. Plants are a great way to combat this in any office space.

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Corporate Gardens Will Inspire Your Team

Have you ever hit a wall when working on a new project? Tunnel vision can leave you unable to come up with creative ideas. When you add a luxury interior plant design, you’ll find that your team has something to gaze at during moments of daydreaming. Nature is one of the best ways to find new ideas. If you’ve ever been on a walk when you’re feeling stressed, you’ll know the feeling.

If your team cannot leave the office and go to a nearby park at lunchtime, your corporate garden is the next best thing. They’ll enjoy admiring it from a distance and then close up. The garden offers an alternative to adding artwork to an office for inspiration.

Corporate Gardens Create a More Welcoming Environment

After spending the past year working from home, many employees struggle to return to the office. They soon became used to the cozy feeling of working from home, and it’s been quite a challenge to transition back to work all day in the workplace.

You can help to ease this transition by adding interior planting design elements that resemble plants they have at home. Our team will work with you to select some of the most popular interior plantscaping solutions. Overall, our goal is to give your employees a sense of comfort every time they walk through the door.

Corporate Gardens Absorb Background Noise

Many employees complain that they cannot concentrate in the workplace due to the endless chatter and noise in the building. With more open-plan offices than ever, the number of distractions for your team makes it almost impossible to complete the most basic tasks.

Adding an interior plant design to your office will help to absorb some of this noise and create a calmer working environment. It’s a good solution for any space with exposed concrete floors and walls. This way, you don’t have other options to overcome this challenge. You’ll want to place larger plants around the space to experience this benefit. Most importantly, you’ll want to create a place where your employees enjoy working daily.

Key Takeaways

For many reasons, a corporate garden is one of the best investments any company could make for its employees. If you’re unsure where to start when it comes to interior planting design, our team can help. We can work within your current office setup to create office plantscaping designs that will offer all the benefits we shared above.

In time, you’ll find that your employees will notice a huge reduction in their stress levels and enjoy increased productivity and creativity. Interior plantscaping is useful to offices of all shapes and sizes. It’s never too late to start making your workplace a more enjoyable place to spend time.

Contact us today to discuss Boston fabrication options for your office building.

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Boston’s Plantscaping Specialists

Foliaire is a full-service interior and exterior greenscaping design firm in Boston’s historic South End. For over 40 years, we’ve provided award-winning urban garden and Boston fabrication services in the Boston Metro area.

We customize and plan our urban landscaping projects and interior plant design to fit your unique space and tastes. That’s how we’ve built a reputation of unparalleled style and elegance for corporate plantscaping.

In addition, we’ve received several environmental design awards and have appeared in several publications. You can find us in Architectural Digest, House and Garden, Horticulture, and Interiorscape.

Follow us on social media @Foliaire to learn more about corporate plantscaping:

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What Is Plantscaping?

  • March 12, 2023/
  • Posted By : Paul Lee/
  • 0 comments /
  • Under : Blog

As large segments of the American workforce continue to work in a hybrid office schedule, corporate plantscaping has become an emerging trend. If you aren’t familiar with interior plantscaping, we’ll explore how interior plant design can elevate health, morale, and productivity.

Adding interior planting design elements throughout your office space will create a more welcoming and sophisticated first impression for visitors and employees.

What We’ll Cover:

  • Installing a plantscape in your office
  • How indoor plantscaping improves air quality
  • Size
  • Location
  • Color
  • Repetition
  • Quality
  • Key takeaways

How to Add a Plantscape to Your Office

Plantscaping is another way to describe interior planting design. Any office can benefit from this solution, which offers aesthetic and environmental advantages. For the best office plantscaping solution, we recommend using a variety of plant species.

You can also include unique structures such as living walls. These walls often have practical benefits and can visually divide your office space. Tall plants can make a space appear even larger, whereas groups of plants go well where people congregate. You’ll also notice acoustic and thermal benefits after adding plants.

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How Indoor Plantscaping Improves Air Quality

Poor air quality is one of humanity’s biggest issues when working in a busy city. Research suggests that the air you breathe daily at work immediately impacts your cognitive function. However, adding indoor plantscapes can help you play your part in improving air quality in your workspace.

Even buildings with excellent air filtration systems have areas to improve upon, where indoor plantscaping comes into play. Research suggests houseplants remove toxins from buildings within 24 hours of installation, as with urban gardens.

When considering plants to improve air quality, the spider plant is one of the top options for cleansing the air. Interior planting design solutions often incorporate this plant, which is easy to add to a desk or windowsill. The plant’s moisture can boost a room’s humidity while filtering out TCE, benzene, and other toxins.

Aloe vera and Boston fern are other options to consider, and their smaller size makes them perfect for the office plantscape. The more plants you can add to a space, the more you’ll notice the advantages of interior plantscaping.

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The 5 Key Elements of Interior Plantscaping

Regarding interior plant design, you should keep certain factors in mind. Interior planting design isn’t the same as updating your outdoor garden, so you must consider this when selecting the plants for your office space. The following are a few of the most important areas to consider when adding interior plantscaping to any space:

1) Size

One of the essential aspects of interior plantscaping is the size of the plants. The size of the plants you choose will depend on your working space. If the room is small, then you should choose plants that are smaller in size, such as ferns or succulents.

Larger rooms can accommodate bigger plants like palm trees or ficus trees. The size of the plants should also be in proportion to the size of the container they are in. The plant should not be too big or too small for the pot it is placed in.

Before selecting plants to add to your office, measure the size of your room. You don’t want to select a plant that looks excessively big in the space, as this can feel overwhelming. On the other hand, a small plant, such as a potted cactus, can feel far too small. Match your plant selection to the height of the ceiling and the size of the window.

If you are lucky enough to benefit from high ceilings in your office, living walls are an exciting feature to add. You’ll need enough space for the wall to fit safely without making the room look too dark and gloomy.

For example, the plants you choose should reach no further than halfway from the floor to the ceiling. You should avoid obscuring more than one-third of the window pane for window plants.

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2) Location

The location of the plants in the interior space is another critical element of plantscaping. You must choose locations that receive adequate sunlight without exposure to extreme temperatures or drafts.

Different plants require different amounts of light, so choosing a location that suits the plant’s needs is essential. Additionally, consider the visual impact of the plants in the space. Plants can be used to create a focal point or to complement the existing decor.

One approach to plantscaping is assembling a group of plants that visually focus on the room and have a dramatic effect. This trend is popular where either the space itself is large or where there’s an oddly-shaped space that is otherwise underutilized. For example, this is the appeal of a living wall – where a wall or surface can become a real showpiece.

“Grouping” and living walls are great options when you have a generous budget for your plantscaping. A common approach is strategically placing individual plants to add life and interest to the space. Sometimes, adding only one or two plants to a space is enough to “fill out” the room’s décor.

In this method, you’ll want to place individual plants near focal areas, such as at the end of a hallway, a reception desk, or any other location where they’ll be consistently visible.

3) Color

The color of the plants is an important consideration in interior plantscaping. You need to consider the color of the plants about the colors in the room. If the room has many neutral tones, you can use plants with bold, bright colors to create a striking contrast.

Conversely, if the room has many bright colors, you may want to use plants with more muted colors to balance the space. Color can also create a theme in the room, such as using red and green plants for a Christmas theme.

Color has a huge impact on our mood. With the right plants and planters in your interior plant design, you can create an oasis of calm in even the most hectic workplaces. However, you don’t want to mix and match too many colored planters in your office.

You’ll find that this will create a disorganized and unprofessional aesthetic, which isn’t the first impression you want to make. Opt for plants and planters that complement the color scheme of your office and the furniture you currently have in place.

Depending on your company’s brand colors and your office’s floor plan, you may want to explore either matching or complementary colors. These color combinations can also include accents that highlight the vibrant, diverse nature of your plantscaping.

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4) Repetition

Repetition is an underlooked element of interior plantscaping. It involves using the same plant or group in multiple locations throughout the space. This helps to create a cohesive and harmonious look.

Repetition can also be used to create rhythm and movement in the space. For example, you could use a row of small potted plants on a windowsill or a group of large plants placed strategically around the room. To create a simple and minimalist look, opt for a row of identical plants on the windowsill of the office.

Not everyone in your office will have the same taste for interior plant design. Opt for more neutral design solutions to create a space where everyone feels comfortable working daily.

When choosing plants for the office, focus on those that won’t be too distracting for visitors or employees. You don’t want staff to spend their whole day staring at your ornate new plants when they could be focusing on more important tasks.

5) Quality

Finally, the quality of the plants is crucial to interior plantscaping. You need to choose plants that are healthy, vibrant, and free from pests and diseases. Poor-quality plants can detract from a space’s overall aesthetic and be a health hazard if infested with pests or diseases.

Ensure the plants are well-maintained and cared for, with appropriate watering and fertilization schedules. Additionally, choose plants that are appropriate for the environment they will be placed in. Some plants are better suited to indoor environments than others, so research before purchasing.

We understand you might not have the time and energy to undertake an office plantscaping project. That’s why you may consider employing a professional for this task.

Many gardeners and interior design professionals offer interior plantscaping services. Look for a specialist in this area who will understand the size and shape of the plants you need.

Specialists will also know the plants that thrive in your lighting and environment. This expertise will help you avoid the cluttered look that often makes interior plantscaping look unprofessional and messy in offices.

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Key Takeaways

When undertaking an office plantscaping project, we encourage you to either take your time to plan out the work yourself or consult with a professional. Plantscaping isn’t a task you want to rush, as you’ll want to ensure you have time to acquire premium plants and planters for your new interior plant design.

Living walls are our favorite office solutions because they impress anyone in the building. With the benefits of the air quality in your office, you’ll find that staff members will be happy to spend more time in the space. They’ll notice improved concentration, productivity, and efficiency in the office thanks to the addition of a great plantscape design.

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Boston’s Plantscaping Specialists

Foliaire is a full-service interior and exterior greenscape prefabrication firm in Boston’s historic South End. For over 40 years, we’ve provided award-winning urban garden and Boston fabrication services in the Boston Metro area.

We customize and plan our roof garden projects and interior plant design to fit your unique space and tastes. That’s how we’ve built a reputation of unparalleled style and elegance for corporate plantscaping.

In addition, we’ve received several environmental design awards and have appeared in several publications. You can find us in Architectural Digest, House and Garden, Horticulture, and Interiorscape.

Follow us on social media @Foliaire to learn more about how to work in plantscaping:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram

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