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I Can’t Think of A Corny Joke About Corn Plant

June 9, 2009 by Leave a Comment

I racked my brain trying to think of something clever for the title of this blurb about corn plant (Dracaena fragrans massangeana) but failed. Whether it has the backing of my corny titles or not, Corn Plant is one of the best gift ideas you could consider when shopping for houseplants. I can’t think of a corny joke but here are three reasons why corn plant is the houseplant you need.

Corn Plant Houseplants

Corn Plant Houseplants

A Plant By Any Other Name Would Sound…Less Like A Delicious Vegetable??

Buying corn plant houseplants can go a long way for the person wanting to give a unique gift. It has a unique name and appearance. More clever people than I can think of funny card messages to go along with a plant called “corn plant.” If you want a gift idea out of left-field, try corn plant houseplants.

Popular Veggie, Popular Plant, Popular Gift Idea

It’s well-known that houseplants are great gift ideas. Many are easy to care for even for beginners. Corn plant is one of those anyone-can-do-it houseplants that requires a small amount of love but provides a large return. If you want a gift that you know will be well received but is unique enough to be remembered, send corn plants.

Corn Plants Provide A Taste of The Tropics

Though not a tropical houseplant, corn plants have that look. Whether growing as an evergreen shrub or a small tree, corn plants have very woody stems and elongated leaves that resemble something you’d see on a California boardwalk. This less traditional appearance makes corn plants perfect for the summer season where tropical plants and flowers are hot hot hot gift ideas.

Want to hear more reasons why corn plant houseplants are fun gifts? Contact your local florist today!

If you own corn plants or have recently sent this gift, please let us know what you think of corn plants by commenting below!

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Planting In An Enclosed Three Season Porch

May 15, 2009 by

Ask the Expert: finding plants for an inside garden
We have a garden on the porch which is an enclosed 3 season porch and we live in the NorthEast.  All the previous plants have either died or never flower anymore due to lack of sunlight (even though we have windows entirely around the porch) and we hand water the garden but we need to find plants that would be happy with a drier soil.  The garden has been filled nicely with good soil and was originally an outside garden before we enclosed the patio.  Any suggestions would be appreciated. Lora

Reply:

I assume you want plants that will remain all year long.  This makes it a little more difficult, if the 3 season porch is not heated during the winter. If your garden has enough depth to it, you can plant the following: hosta, liriope spicata, english Ivy, pachysandra terminalis, vinca minor vines.  These plants will give you great foliage with staying power and some will even bloom. For more blooms try: aquilegia, astilbe, dianthus, spotted dead nettles, snowdrops, bleeding heart.  Most of these plants will tolerate low light and drier soil.

I would also try planting New Guinea impatiens, annual impatiens and begonias.  These should be fine for three out of the four seasons.

I recommend dropping by your local garden center and nursery (not a box store) and discussing this with them.  They are your best source for regional plants that will work with your situation.  In fact, I’m sure they will be able to suggested and provide plants that I may not be familiar with.

Good luck and keep me posted.  As you create your new garden I would love to see pictures and learn which plants you choose.

If you need a name of a reputable garden center in your area, let me know and I’ll try to help.

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Croton? Isn’t That Part of An Atom?

May 12, 2009 by Leave a Comment

My science teacher would fall backward in his chair if he heard my title for this post. The humor in that visual image alone is enough to keep it. As much as I’d like to believe that a croton goes hand-in-hand with protons, neutrons, and electrons inside an atom–indeed it does not. It’s a really fun houseplant. Well, as fun as a houseplant can be since they lack frisbee playing skills.

Croton Plant Basket

Croton Plant Basket

What Most People Know About Croton Plants:

Croton (Codiaeum variegatum pictum) plants are tropical plants that thrive outdoors in bright sunlight. They are great patio plants and beautiful additions to walkways and slightly shaded gardens. They like it steamy. We’re not talking sauna-steam here. Croton plants do enjoy areas of high humidity though and must be kept consistently moist. Afterall, tropical locations like beaches or lush forests tend to be very moist places.

What Most People Don’t Know About Croton Plants:

I’ll admit it. Croton plants are pretty awesome to have around. They are strikingly colorful so they draw attention to otherwise neglected spaces. They are a break from more traditional houseplants due to their bold form and presentation. They have “that little something extra” that makes them easy to remember and easy to love. I mean, come on. They’re beautiful! If you’re asked to identify a list of 12 houseplants (croton among them) but all the others are standard green houseplants, you’ll probably mark down Croton first because its distinctiveness makes it the easiest to remember.

This unique characteristic also makes it the perfect gift for someone who likes standard gifts with an edge. Sending houseplants is always a hit. Sending a colorful tropical plant is a can’t miss gift for someone who likes a bit of quirkiness every now and then. The occasion is almost irrelevant. If you are in the mood for a unique gift idea, consider sending croton plants. Even if you want to snatch up a few of these babies for yourself, it’s easy to do when you contact your local florist.

Own a croton plant or received one as a gift? Let us  know what you like about it!

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Top Perennial Choices For Washington DC By Season

April 22, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Ask the Expert: What perennials bloom each season.
I live in the Washington, DC area and would like some flowers to blossom for each season, spring, summer, and fall. Can you help me? Cynthia

Reply:

The possibilies are vast.  So, I’ll share a few of my favorites that will also work in your area.   Our hardiness zones are very similar  Paragould Ar is a 6b (6-7)zone and DC is a 7b (7-8)zone.  Knowing what zone you are in is important when selecting perennial.  The hardiness zone defines how cold the area will get and every plant has a cold hadiness thresshold.

For Winter -Gerberas (if you are lucky) and Hellebores.  I also plant tulips and daffodil.

For Spring- Iris, Verbascum, Peonies, Phlox subulata (creeping phlox), Anemone, Bergenia, Clematis and Dianthus.

For Summer – Phlox paniculata, Guara, Echinacea, Ascelepias, Liatris, Gallardia, Veronica, Platycodon, Monarda, Kniphofia and Alcea (hollyhock). I could go on and on but I these are my favorties.  I also plant Asiatic lilies, Oriental lilies and Gladiolus.

For Autumn – Anemone, Solidago, Helianthus, Chrysanthemums, Dianthus, Rudebeckia and Geum.

Of course these are just a handful of the many perennial options for the Washington Dc area.  There are also an abundance of flowering shrubs for each season that can add color to your yard.  The thing to do is to pop into your local nursery & garden center – not a box store.  Most nurseries will have a perennial person (someone who is both knowledgeable about and has actually grown many of the perennials themselves).  I happen to be the perennial person for our garden center.  They will be able to give you the true ins and outs about which perennials perform well in your area.  Other factors such as humidity and rain fall can also determine the right perennials for your area and the staff at your local garden center will be able to help you with those issues.

Good Luck and let me know how your perennial garden does.

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Stop Cycling Through Houseplants–Try Cyclamen Instead!

April 14, 2009 by Leave a Comment

Looking For Something Different But Still Comfortable?

Here’s Why I Recommend Cyclamen

You know how it goes. Sometimes you want to buy one thing over and over and over because it’s comfortable. It’s familiar. It’s safe. Then again sometimes you want to cycle through every option available until you find the thing that’s comfortable, familiar, safe. I’m that way with gift-giving and I know I’m not the only one. It’s not just limited to gift ideas though. I’m like that when I begin to decorate my home. Though not a big fan of change, I get bored easily and need to find something that I’ll like better. Something that suits the new me. Something comfortable, familiar and safe but different. After all, I don’t want things to change too much!

Buy Cyclamen Blooming Plants

Buy Cyclamen Blooming Plants

Reasons Why You Will Like Cyclamen

Reason #1 To Try Cyclamen: Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) is a beautiful blooming plant.  The colorful blooms make it easy to enjoy. It adds a splash of color to the decor but is not busy or bold. It’s just…plain…pretty.

Reason #2 To Fall For Cyclamen: When you send cyclamen plants what you do not realize is that you might as well be sending perfumed petals because that’s what the recipient is getting. Cyclamen is a very fragrant plant when in bloom. It’s not an overwhelming scent so it’s ok to send to most people with sensitive olfactory senses (people that get sick around strong smells). If you want a fresher environment, call up your local florist or stop by and pick up Cyclamen plants for yourself. The fragrance is well worth it.

Reason #3 To Buy Cyclamen: This particular flowering plant is a mound forming plant which basically means that it grows in a neat little contained area. If you want a plant for your office or apartment, cyclamen is a great option because it is not overbearing. It’s not in-your-face and overwhelming. It’s the perfect size for decorating small spaces. It can also be grouped together or bought in larger sizes to decorate large spaces. It’s one of those can-do blooming plants that seems to satisfy every spacial requirement.

Reason #4 To Give Cyclamen A Chance: Cyclamen blooming plants are not hard to take care of. They’re about as easy as any other flowering plants which means keep them watered during growing season (mid-winter to spring), give them a fair amount of light, and keep the soil moist but well drained. Again, cyclamen plant care requires the same amount of attention as most other blooming houseplants. Whether sending cyclamen to a newbie or a seasoned houseplant expert, cyclamen is a good gift idea.

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Here Is Your Next Big Gift Idea

March 16, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Send A Blooming Plant!

Send A Blooming Plant!

Oh yeah. That’s right. I said BIG gift idea.

While the size of a blooming plant may be small, their stature and status in the gift world is nothing short of grandiose. They’re awesome!

There are many occasions that require sending a gift. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to find something perfect, unique, attractive, etc. When you find yourself staring into space thinking about your next big gift idea, consider these three reasons why you should send a blooming plant.

Blooming Plants Are Practical And Beautiful

Blooming plants are the best of both worlds. They are flowering plants that allow the recipient to enjoy the beauty of colorful blooms with the practicality of a plant. Flower lovers enjoy the mass of blooms that form on the plants while plant lovers enjoy a long-lasting gift.  Speaking of long-lasting…

Blooming Plants Are The Gift That Keeps Giving

Blooming plants bring together the attractive qualities of both flower bouquets and houseplants. Plants are well renowned for lasting quite a bit longer than a bouquet of flowers. While flowers are great gifts in their own right, plants tend to stick around to be enjoyed longer than flowers. Blooming plants offer the recipient a chance to enjoy the beauty of flowers and the durability of plants at the same time.

There Isn’t A Bad Time To Send A Blooming Plant

The occasion is almost irrelevant when sending a flowering plant. Going to a housewarming party? Bring along a blooming housewarming plant. Know someone with a birthday coming up? Blooming plants are especially good for people who have had enough birthdays that now they’re trying to count backwards. Flowering plants acknowledge every occasion with dignity and a splash of color.

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Doesn’t Everyone Love Easter Lilies?

March 10, 2009 by Leave a Comment

I’d be thrown off if I ever met someone who didn’t like Easter lilies. I’m sure this person would have a good reason, but I can’t think of one off hand. Easter lilies are just that cool! Though not really a “plant” per se, I have decided that these springtime favorites should be the featured plant profile for March.

Buy Traditional Easter Lilies From A Local Florist

Buy Traditional Easter Lilies From A Local Florist

Easter is coming up soon. It’s one of my favorite times of year. Spring weather is gorgeous which means blossoming flowers, warm rain showers, and blogs that randomly break into rhyme. With Spring comes Easter and with Easter comes Easter lilies.

Everyone loves the Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum). It’s no surprise. It’s great! My favorite thing about Easter lilies is that they bring to mind so many different memories for each person. It doesn’t matter who is looking at them. Each year provides another memory and another reason to send Easter lilies to a loved one.

My favorite memory involving Easter lilies takes place in church. (Go figure, right?) My mother always loved attending the sunrise services held each Easter Sunday. One particular morning started out rather chilly because of a morning breeze.

We warmed up quickly, at least warmed our hearts, as my good friend and pastor began a short sermon. He began to discuss the many flowers that we see each Easter on the altar. After finishing the sermon he gave each of us a small Easter lily to drive his point home. We were all duly impressed. This simple gesturer along with the memory of his words solidified my opinion of the beautiful flowers.

Do you have a favorite memory that involves Easter lilies? Share it! We always love to hear how your life has been touched by flowers.

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What Is A Good Plant For An Office

March 3, 2009 by

Ask the Expert: Is potted daffodil OK in office without window?
I want to get a potted daffodil, but not sure if it will do well in an office without a window. What kind of light will it need? How much watering?
And what kind of plant would do well in such an office?
Thanks.  Joanna

Reply:

Joanna,

Potted daffodils would not be my choice for an office plant.  Why? Because as a potted plant they are short lived.  When I send potted daffodils to someone, I assume that they will enjoy them for a short period of time and then plant them in their garden.  If you want a plant that will do well in your office try a Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen), Anthurium (Flamingo Flower) or a Beaucarnea (Ponytail Palm). There are other houseplants that will do well in an office such as yours. However, I have personally grown the above plants in an office without a window and they do quite well. The fluorescent light seems to be enough to sustain these plants. I usually water them once a week (the ponytail can go a little longer without water). I think you will enjoy one of these plants in your office. Good luck and keep me posted.

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Avoid The Sniffles With Allergy Friendly Flowers

February 17, 2009 by 1 Comment

Are you worried about sending flowers to your friend that sneezes due to allergies? Flower allergies are more common than you’d think, but don’t let that deter you from this tried-and-true gift idea.

There are many allergy friendly flowers that send the same message of love and friendship but without the mess of lousy symptoms. The next time that you’re interested in sending flowers to someone with strong allergies, consider some of these for your allergy-friendly bouquet:

See anything you like? The good news is that this list is full of very commonly used, gorgeous flowers that are popular in every local flower shop. It’s so simple to make two caring gestures by sending flowers for an occasion (or just because!) and making sure that they are allergy friendly. Your friend will be very appreciative! Don’t forget the foliage! There are also several types of allergy friendly plants that you can ask your local florist to send instead.

Sending flowers and plants has become a standard gift-giving idea for many reasons. Whatever the cause may be, sending flowers or plants is a great way to express feelings to a friend or loved one. Let your friend know that you’re looking out for him or her in the biggest ways by sending allergy friendly flowers or plants.

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Need Another Gift Idea For February? Send A Plant!

February 16, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Colorful Croton Houseplant

Colorful Croton Houseplant

Valentines Day is over and the chocolates are probably eaten. However, there are many other occasions this month that call for good gift ideas. To the rescue once again, here is a suggestion that should no longer be overlooked:

Send a plant!

The brilliance of that suggestion deserves more fanfare. Customers in flower shops often overlook houseplants as gift ideas when they should instead be drawn to plants for many reasons; practicality, longevity, and beauty among them. Houseplants are as diverse as flowers but bring a lot more to the table (or the corner, or the desk, or the nook). They are definitely worth a mention when discussing gift ideas with your local florist.

Chrysanthemum Blooming Plant

Chrysanthemum Blooming Plant

Your florist will be able to guide you as to which plants are easier for beginners and experts. This will help you choose just the right plant for your friend or loved one. When ordering plants from a florist, be sure to ask if they have plant care information available. Many times this information can be included with the enclosure card, helping the recipient’s plant last longer.

If your florist does not have this information, Flower Shop Network has plant care information for many houseplants such as daffodils, African violets, Norfolk Island pine, Schefflera, English ivy and others.

A dish garden or houseplant lasts longer than a typical cut flower arrangement. Want the best of both worlds? Send a blooming houseplant such as kalanchoe, exacum or hydrangea. While the natural beauty of many flowers is unrivaled, houseplants preserve a special memory of their sender. Help perpetuate wonderful thoughts of a budding relationship by sending a houseplant along with plant care information.

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