Uncategorized Archives | Plant Parents

Three Fun Spring Installations We Love

May 28, 2019/in New Installations, Uncategorized /by Rikki Miller

Spring is always an exciting time to be in the plant business. Longer, wetter days mean lots of gorgeous greenery, and something about the changing of the seasons always seems to inspire creativity. Below, three recent projects we’ve been loving:

Resort Lobby Plantings Featuring Ceramics, Bamboo, and Succulent Gardens

This beach-side hotel lobby called for a set of plantings as vibrant and fun as the space itself–and we were thrilled to help! One of the fun challenged here was finding a set of plantings that didn’t take up too much floor space but still had both height and room for color. Preserved bamboo canes provide that height and a bit of flare, leaving plenty of room for bright, tropical guzmanias.

A set of smaller tabletop ZZs in matching glazed ocean-blue ceramics complete the look, while two large “beach in a bowl” succulent gardens featuring seashells, driftwood, and that famous white sand are the icing on top.

Graduation Jungle Featuring Tropical Color and Palms

Another fun thing about spring? It’s graduation season! We love working with schools on enhancing venues for commencement ceremonies, and are so honored to be able to be a part of celebrating the success of so many young people in our community as well as the incredible educators and educational administrators who help them along the way.

This arrangement was prepared for multiple high school graduations at the Bradenton Convention Center, and we just loved how lush and vibrant it turned out.

Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center Entryway Featuring Succulents, Palms, and Custom Planter Bowls

Plant Parents is a local business, through and through–and it’s no secret that we love Sarasota and are honored to run the Downtown In Bloom flower basket program, managing the pretty plantings you’ll see on light posts throughout the city. So we were delighted to offer our services to the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.

In addition to live plants inside the building offices, we installed a set of exterior container plantings designed with creating great first impressions in mind. These locally produced concrete bowls hold a mix of cheery succulents anchored by very-Florida palm trees.

Interested in plants for your office, home, or special event? We’d love to work with you! Contact us online or call us at 941-377-3070.

Three Practical Uses for Office Plants

May 20, 2019/in Uncategorized /by Rikki Miller

In addition to the myriad ways plants can improve productivity in the office, well-positioned plantings can be the solution to a number of practical problems in the workplace. Below, some of our favorite “green hacks” to try.

Cover Unsightly Cords

A strategically placed planting can be a great way to hide bunches of cords and cables, dented drywall, and any other small but obnoxious eyesores around the office.

For the best coverage, pick a wide container with some height to it, and plant it with thick, full foliage plants like dracena bushes or aglaonemas. Voila! The eyesore becomes eye candy.

Dampen Sound

Anyone who has spent time in an open-office or shared work-space environment knows how challenging it can be to cope with all that ambient noise–phones ringing, conversations, the drone of the printer….. It can be more than a little distracting.

Plants help dampen sound, making it easier to focus on the task at hand. We love long window box-style planters on top of cubicles for offices with less space, or acoustic moss panels for serious sound-control.

Direct Traffic

Have a weird alcove under the stairs, or other odd feature seemingly left over from another building tenant? Plantings can help mask the area, and politely prevent people from bumping their heads or tripping on an out-of place architecture feature.

Ready to apply some of these “green hacks” to your office? Contact us today to learn more and schedule a consult!

Spring Plant Sale 2019 Press Release

May 6, 2019/in Uncategorized /by Rikki Miller

A Local Favorite Returns: Plant Parents Spring Plant Sale Offers Great Greenery for Less

Bargain Prices, Big Selection of Plants Plus Containers at Biannual Sale

SARASOTA, FLORIDA – Plant Parents will host their Spring Plant Sale and Open House Friday and Saturday May 10-11. The event, a longtime favorite among local plant lovers, boasts a broad selection of houseplants, plants for yards and lanais at deep discounts. One, two, and five-dollar deals make the sale an exciting opportunity for bargain-hunters looking to start or bolster their personal collections, connect with fellow aficionados, and get expert advice from the Plant Parents’ team of horticultural technicians.

This spring, attendees can expect many palms, orchids, Guzmanias, and a diverse assortment of specimen bromeliads. Those eager to explore the increasingly popularized health benefits of houseplants will be happy to find many indoor acclimated varieties, including dracaenas, aglaonemas, ZZ plants, Pothos, and more. Discounted planters will also be available, among them pieces for indoor and outdoor use.

In addition to deals on plants and containers, the event offers a unique opportunity to tour a working nursery not normally open to the public. Guests are invited to explore the grounds and enjoy the scenery. Owner David Glosser describes it as an invitation to join Plant Parents’ “horticultural family,” one which continues to grow over nearly two decades of operation in the Sarasota-Bradenton area.

The Plant Parents Sale and Open House will take place May 10-11 at 6742 Richardson Road in Sarasota, just east of I-75 off Fruitville Road. Friday hours are 9AM to 6PM; Saturday hours are 9AM to 4PM. Visit www.plantparents.com for more information on the sale, including directions. Updates are posted on the company Facebook page, www.facebook.com/plantparents, and Instagram, @plantparentsfl. Plant Parents can be contacted directly at 941-377-3070 and info@plantparents.com.

About Plant Parents: Plant Parents is an award-winning interiorscape company focused on live plant programs for commercial and residential clients throughout the Sarasota-Bradenton area. Services interiorscape design, service for new and existing plantings, living walls and green walls, short term rentals for special events and more.

Five Ways Live Plant Rentals Enhance Events

March 25, 2019/in Uncategorized /by Rikki Miller

Floral arrangements have long been a staple of special occasions, but live plant rentals have, until fairly recently, been more of an event planner trade secret. Now, it’s easier than every to rent plants short term for weddings, parties, graduations, and more. Here’s how live plants can enhance any venue, from humble to high-end.

Make a Familiar Venue Your Own

Short term plant rentals are a great way to personalize venues, and make familiar spaces feel special. Groupings of palms and philodendrons, for example, can quickly transform a gym into a jungle. Even if you have a ritzier venue, a touch of greenery offers an opportunity to put your mark on the space.

Dampen Sound

Acoustics in large spaces can be tricky. Large, leafy plants, like ficus trees, can help absorb echoes and other ambient sound. Outdoors, live plants can help create a barrier to soften the sounds of traffic from outside or music from within.

Crowd Control

Larger live plants are great for helping define areas where you’d like people to go–and discourage them from areas best avoided. Use them to create a sense of enclosure or paths between areas. Plants are also great for creating a sense of intimacy in larger areas, like conference halls or large lawns, or even inside larger tents when arranged near posts.

Add Color

Plants can be used to add color and interest to a space. This can be accomplished by adding blooming plants, like guzmanias, as standalone arrangements or underplantings on larger trees. It can also be accomplished with colorful foliage plants. Some of our favorite colorful foliage plants include “Red Sister” Ti Plants (burgundy and fuchsia), Lemon Lime Dracenas (striped with white and two shades of green), and Glaucas (green with blush at the base).

Add Light

String lights make a great addition to our ficus trees. At evening events, they add a soft glow. Underlighting is another option that works especially well with palm trees.

Interested in exploring short term plant rental options for your next event? Contact Plant Parents for more information–we look working on event design!

Three Unique Plantings We Love

March 2, 2019/in New Installations, News, Uncategorized /by Rikki Miller

Every space has its unique challenges–and often those challenges are part of their charm. It’s always a treat when we can find ways to use those unusual nooks and crannies as part of a plant program. Below, check out three recent favorites!

From The Space Under The Stairs to The Space Everyone Wants to See

An empty stretch under the stairs can be tricky to design around. Even if it’s not closed off, it can become a de-facto storage area, which isn’t always pretty. With a little creativity, this client was able to take full advantage of their space, filling in a small depression with black polished stone and topping it off with bowls brimming with tropical color, creating a memorable installation that draws visitors from inside the building and off the streets.

A Custom Orchid Wall For A Busy Cafe

This cafe owner loved orchids–but with a busy business, there was only so much space to add more. We worked with them to develop a system for adding orchids to this wall installation for an eye-catching take on the green wall. It’s easy to customize this piece with fresh plants and accessories, making it a great conversation piece that always has something new to offer.

Succulents Spruce Up A Wooden Wall

This bar had a really interesting, geometric wood wall. The wall was striking empty, but adding small succulents to the built in pockets upped the ante. A mix of upright and trailing pieces creates a look that’s on trend and so very Instagram-able.

Have an odd spot in your home, office, or business you’d like to transform? Give us a call! We’d love to work with you!

Outdoor Privacy Plantings For Balconies

February 22, 2019/in News, Uncategorized /by Rikki Miller

A great view is a great thing…. Except when that great view is in to your home. While a nice balcony is a must for many condo owners and city dwellers, it can be tough to enjoy your space when it feels too exposed. The right privacy plantings can help provide coverage and create a more personal, intimate feel on your balcony and in your home without obstructing the view you love. Here’s what to consider when looking at privacy planting options.

Height isn’t Always Right

Generally, a little elevation for your plantings is a good thing–but too much and you’ll risk losing any view at all. Hip-high or so planters do a good job of softening a view and creating a more private environment. Choose mid-height shrubs to add some additional height with more coverage.

If your concern is exposure from above (i.e. another apartment or condo across the street), a taller, wind-hardy selection may be in order. Avoid anything too top-heavy, and select a more more sizable container to allow your planting to achieve height.

Stability Is Crucial….

Many taller, rectangular planters have relatively narrow bases, which is bad news on outdoor balconies for two reasons. First, you need a container that can withstand the weather. Anything too narrow will tip, even with rock or other weighted material in the base. Second, narrow planters limit the type, height, and longevity of the plants you’ll be able to use.

….But Consider Mobility, Too

Some condos may require plants to be moved indoors during certain weather events, such as hurricanes or tropical storms. If this is the case, it’s good to make sure you have planters in a material like fiberglass that are going to be relatively easy to move.

Keep You Plants Simple

Privacy plantings are generally in the least protected parts of balconies, on the edges where they are exposed to sun, wind, and for many in our region, salt. It’s important to pick plants that can tolerate these conditions and thrive, especially because they will be so visible. For the most coverage, think bushy shrubs–a mono-culture can look very chic and modern. To add in color, consider smaller succulent bowls or sun-hardy flowering varieties in more protected areas of your balcony. Alternately, mix in colorful foliage plants with shrubbier varieties to get a pop of color while still having a solid barrier.

Interested in exploring privacy planting options for your balcony? A professional plantscaper can help you select the right varieties to achieve the protection and style you want, and will have the experience to know what holds up in your locale. In the Sarasota-Bradenton area? Give us a call for a free consult!