Tag Archives: calathea

Mid-Summer Orchid Arrangements…

For a wine country going away party...

For a wine country going away party…

It’s  the middle of summer, and some gardening tasks have been relegated to the back burner…with the exception of necessary watering, weeding, and deadheading. But there are still plenty of opportunities for entertaining, even during the dog days of July and August.

Wine corks in glass...

Wine corks in glass…

 

 

 

 

 

A long-time customer came in a few months ago, and, in the course of our conversation, she mentioned she was heartbroken her daughter’s husband had been transferred to the wine country of California – a move that would, of course, also take her daughter and grandchildren half the country away. Well, the going away party was a few weeks ago. As it turns out, she has collected wine corks for years, and this was the perfect time to use them. She brought in all the wine corks and a glass container, and Pinkie took it from there. Here’s how it turned out.

Phael Orchid Arrangement in Dough Bowl

 

The next arrangements shown, designed by Jamie, belong to another well-known customer who brings her containers in regularly to be filled with orchids and other foliage.  She takes exceptionally good care of them,  and we all enjoy working on them when she needs a “redo”.

Phael Orchid Arrangement

 

 

Her dough bowl, shown here, became home to jewel-like phalaenopsis orchids (These are her favorite colors!), calatheas, Moses In the Cradle (a pretty and easy houseplant), as well as air plants. A touch of kiwi vine rounds out the composition.

More phalaenopsis orchids and calatheas fill the last container, proving that houseplants and orchids can work beautifully together!

January In The Greenhouse…

air plants have found a home in these colorful frames...

air plants have found a home in these colorful frames…

January in the greenhouse is a quiet time. Sure, there are folks coming in for a houseplant for a pot, or to pick up a few pansies to fill in their winter weary containers, but for the most part there’s plenty of time to work on projects of all sorts.

Molly created this herb sign with aluminum wire and old pallets...

Molly created this herb sign with aluminum wire and old pallets…

This month, Jamie, Pinkie and Molly, with the help of Lauren, have been painting up a storm, and the stage area has taken on a new look. Molly is also working on signs for the outdoor nursery, while Bert and Ben are  building new tables. it’s fun to change things up, and this is the time of year to do it!

a spring garden using lichen covered branches and spring flowers...

a spring garden using lichen covered branches and spring flowers…

Of course, arrangements take priority always, for customers who come in needing something for themselves, for a party or to give as a gift – and we enjoy this creative outlet too. Jamie brought in a lot of lichen covered branches, and has been using them beautifully as part of table top arrangements. They look wonderful mixed in with the bright primroses of winter, and the forced bulbs including narcissus, muscari, and soon, tulips and crocus.

pussy willow branches...

pussy willow branches…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter branches of pussy willow have been a staple too, and we’ve been adding them to orchid and foliage arrangements. Soon the greenhouse will be filled with even more houseplants of all sorts, and we’ll begin creating combinations of plantings that can be transferred outside when the temperatures warm, later in the spring.

January in the greenhouse  is spent doing chores that must be done, but also on things that are just plain fun!