8 Types of Fresh Christmas Greenery for Holiday Decorating

Tis the season for holiday greens! Here’s the top 8 greens for decorating from Thursd.

Looking to decorate your house with the freshest and greenest greenery? These are some of the best types that'll make your house have the full holiday greens!

By: THURSD. | 30-11-2022 | 4 min read

EXPLAINEDX-MAS

Your celebrations' mood is set by the appropriate seasonal foliage. In less time than it takes to carefully hang the stockings on the chimney, you may complete these straightforward ideas that include nothing less than the most beautiful greens for Christmas. These eight best types of Christmas greenery are perfect for holiday decorating.

8 Best Types of Christmas Greens for the Holidays

The holiday bells are ringing and they are starting to be seen and heard in every corner of every city! This can only mean one thing: the most wonderful time of the year is here and people are very eager to decorate their homes with the best floral and greenery scenery. This is why you should absolutely know about the six best types of Christmas greenery that'll adorn your holidays the best way.

1. Eucalyptus

Deck the halls with this pleasantly-smelling type of Christmas greenery. Eucalyptus is best for flower arrangements because it has a long life when kept in a vase of water. Eucalyptus has been in the homes of many over the past Christmas', adding a contemporary and trendy twist to traditional Christmas decorations. It is a great way to give your home's interior a festive charm, with touches of nature.

You can hang a eucalyptus garland taut across your fireplace with florist wire and hooks to prevent any drooping (conceal the hooks with pretty greenery). You can also spruce up cream stockings with sprigs of seeded eucalyptus. This type of holiday greenery also pairs well with Christmas wreaths.

2. Cedar (Cedrus)

On the list of the eight best types of Christmas greenery for the merriest time of the year is cedar. This type of greenery belongs to a genus of coniferous trees in the plant family Pinaceae (subfamily Abietoideae). Cedar's natural oils and striking edges help give its branches staying power. The best thing about cedar is that it can be widely used just for about anything and anywhere you decide to put it. Cedar's dramatic draping effect is stunning, and it smells lovely.

Many wonder how to use cedar during the Christmas holidays. As a decorative idea, you can use a vignette, where the asymmetrical placement of the cedar garland adds unique drama around a large mirror, which provides even more visual impact with its reflection.

3. Boxwood (Buxus)

One very popular holiday tradition is the use of boxwood plants in decorations, both inside and out. They come in the form of trees and wreaths and make a beautiful addition to any holiday display. Boxwood is one of the six types of fresh Christmas greenery that works amazingly for holiday decorating.

It is favored due to its compact form and forest-green leaves. Boxwood can easily last all season long and best of all can be used for framing stairways, doors, and other things. PS: Boxwood will always make a space more elegant.

4. Juniper (Juniperus)

Obtain scent, lovely blueberries, and robust greenery all in one with yet another one of the best types of fresh Christmas greenery. Juniper is ideal for both indoor and outdoor decor. It can have a spiky leaf, so wear gloves when handling it, but the aroma is well worth it.

As an idea to use juniper for decoration, you can drape your staircase along with ornaments and ribbons in related colors. Look around your home for chances to incorporate juniper into other decorative items like vases, trays, figurines, and art objects.

5. Olive

Try olive branches for the lovely curled appearance that their leaves take on when they dry. (Remember that it dries up quicker than other evergreens.) The wilting leaves will produce a free-form, captivating look that results in an amazing type of Christmas greenery for the holidays.

6. Noble Fir (Nobilis)

Anywhere they are used, the evergreen boughs of noble fir add lovely intricacy. The best uses for this type of greenery are in table arrangements, mailbox decorations, and front door swags. It is lovely and functional. For example in this front gate, a noble fir wreath welcomes guests, and additional wreaths are simply hung with red ribbon over each window, creating a timeless, festive appearance.

7. Holly (Ilex Aquifolium)

This holly variety is known as the traditional Christmas holly in Europe. Even in the coldest winters, holly bushes remain green and require little to no upkeep. English holly is an ornamental flowering, evergreen tree or tall hedge belonging to the Aquifoliaceae family often found in well-drained soils, hedges, and woodland where it is often the dominant under-story shrub.

8. Mistletoe

The Mistletoe is famous for a tradition that dictated that a man was allowed to kiss any woman standing underneath the mistletoe, and that bad luck would befall any woman who refused the kiss. It is a very traditional Christmas plant that has a very symbolic and sentimental value behind it, and many people love to kiss under the Mistletoe!

These are all great types of fresh Christmas greenery that will also be very trendy, plus they give your place and spots a very special appearance. What will your choice of greens be this year?

An Exclusive Interview With Florists' Review Jules Lewis Gibson

We love this interview with Jules Lewis Gibson from Thursd! Enjoy!

On a beautiful terrace in Sarasota Florida, nearby the head office of the magazine, Jules talks about her life.

Florists' Review is a floral inspiration and information magazine in the USA that thrives after being nurtured by dozens of people for over 125 years. And of course because of the hard work of the President and Creative Director of Florist's Review Magazine since 2021, Jules Lewis Gibson, and her team.

When applying to write a few floral articles, Travis Rigby, the previous owner saw that there was nothing this lady couldn’t do, and instead of giving her the job, he decided to ask her to take over the business. Florists' Review has a new layout, new ideas, and a rock of a lady running it. Meet Jules Lewis Gibson!

A Floral Interview With Florists' Review Jules Lewis Gibson

On a beautiful terrace in Sarasota Florida, nearby the head office of Florists' Review Jules Lewis Gibson, the new owner of this awesome floral magazine takes her time. She looks confident in her ways and words and is ever so friendly when she sits relaxed at Epicure Cafe, an Italian Restaurant in Downtown Sarasota for the interview.

Marina Jack Sarasota Florida

Since January 2021 Jules Lewis Gibson is the proud owner of Florists' Review, the floral magazine with a history of 125 years. She's the mother of two boys - 14 and 16 years old - and so she tries to balance her life between family and her new business.

A third-generation female entrepreneur, Jules has acquired great know-how in the publishing and luxury marketing industries. For the past decade, Jules owned Fuse Media+, the Sarasota-based media company creators of Florida Homes Magazine, Florida Boating Magazine, and the award-winning women’s publication, Gravitas. 

Florists' Review Jules Lewis Gibson

With Florists' Review, she can honestly say, she has never been this happy in her working career before. Floriculture is a world she is not integrated into completely yet, but it feels like home. Almost two years after her first meeting with this floral world, she is confident this is her play. People are respectful and kind and always share. And Jules Lewis Gibson loves the generosity of spirit, and the generosity of knowledge, it's really unlike any other industry.

Who Is Jules Lewis Gibson?

Jules is born and raised in Atlanta. Her parents are both entrepreneurs, so it's probably in her blood to undertake new ventures. She began her career on the marketing side of the fine arts industry before founding her own advertising agency. After a few years, she grew weary of the fast-paced life she had created, so she took a year's sabbatical in 1998 to live in Europe. While she enjoyed the lifestyle in Europe all the rules made it difficult for entrepreneurs, so she eventually returned to the States. She later opened a nightclub, enjoyed a career in real estate, and spent a decade publishing consumer magazines.

Q: So Jules, how did life treat you since you lived in Europe? 

Jules:

"During my time in Europe, I lived in the Netherlands, Italy, and mostly France. I loved the European mentality overall, and still enjoy every visit I have there. I feel so grateful that flowers have joined me on my path. Now I have many opportunities to return to Europe every year.
Before Florists' Review, I had several magazines running and also a few custom publishing contracts. One of the magazines was Gravitas, created by and for women with lots of interesting ideas, cool info, and hilarious insights to share. I’m still very proud of the work we did and the boundaries we pushed." 

 

Why a Women’s Magazine?

Jules had the feeling by seeing all the magazines in 2013 for women, she didn’t feel at home reading them. Everything was perfect, perfect models, perfect stories, different from real life. So she decided to start her magazine: Gravitas Magazine. 

Q: What’s the strength of a magazine in your eyes?

Jules:

"In the USA, we have Esquire, a men’s magazine which I love. It’s life like it is, the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, just as we see it, as we live it. In women’s magazines, it’s often more like a show, not the real deal, so I decided to change that and have photo features of well-known women - not models or movie stars, but famous in different ways and good interviews. Real stories.

I tried to partner with another national publisher to grow the brand across the country to no avail. Then a little feature in the New York Times resulted in more subscription sales in New York, Connecticut, and San Francisco than my entire four years in Tampa Bay. That was my sign that the content was worthy of a national audience, so I closed the print publication and planned to launch an audio magazine nationwide. It was 2017 and I was a big believer in the future of audio.

Life however had other plans. My best friend of 30 years was diagnosed with brain cancer. After losing her, I kind of buried my passion for Gravitas with her. Maybe, one day... (smiles confident) In my eyes Gravitas, like Florists' Review, strives to make the readers more confident in what they do, in where life takes them. I want to be able to make a difference for our readers."

Cover OctoberCover November

COVID Has Changed the World’s Perspective

Sadly, so many people lost their lives through COVID-19, but it has also changed a lot in our working world. For many, it brought back perspective and work-life balance. And also mobile working became a habit. 

Q: Are you happy with the changes COVID brought you?

Jules:

"Covid gave the world an opportunity to pause. We looked within and made new plans for the future, renewed old plans, or changed our minds together. The rat race we were in, suddenly stopped... and as an entrepreneur, I looked for new opportunities. 

I saw the opening for a writer’s job at Florists' Review which I thought might be interesting. Boy, that turned out a little bit differently than I originally thought! Because of my eleven years of experience in publishing magazines, Travis Rigby, the previous owner decided that I was the right person at the right time to take over Florists' Review, the floral magazine with a long and strong history; one of a kind in the US. I feel truly blessed! I'm eager to grow our brand and continue the story."

 

An Advocate of Setting Clear Goals

Since Jules has been working for the better part of thirty years in marketing, fall is the perfect time for her to make plans and chart strategies for the coming year with and for her clients. Once a year it's important to put your company under a magnifying glass. 

Q.: What's important for you and your company when the year is going to its end? 

Jules: 

"I'm a big advocate of setting clear, precise goals. It's vital that at least once a year all business owners assess their revenue streams and challenge themselves to see if there are better ways to maximize profits and find new ways to add to their company strategies.

At Florists' Review, we try help to florists by giving them tools to make their business better. Floral education, tips and tricks in marketing, we will even bring out our own podcast named 'Flower Hour with Florists' Review' in 2023. And a new line of products for florists: the 'Florists' Review Collection'. So many plans and opportunities. I'm hopeful for our future. 
I recommend to follow your passion, do good work and remain open to new opportunities, even if they don’t follow a predictable career path. I think it is extremely important to have a diverse skill set and a broad range of experiences. The more you bring to the table, the better chance you’ll earn a good seat."

Cover AugustCover September

Enjoy the Reads of Florists' Review 

According to Jules Florists' Review is a must-have for every florist. Every month again they try to have a wide variety of articles and tutorials. 

Q.: Why do you believe Florists' Review is a must-have? 

Jules Lewis Gibson:

"Every month we create an entirely new bundle of content carefully crafted to inspire creativity and build strong business foundations for florists, any and all kinds. We share so much talent among our pages and posts. It’s this timeless knowledge from tutorials to business practices that encourages people to collect our publications. I meet people often that have collected Florists’ Review in their family for generations. 

We take great pride in the quality of the presentation of our print publications. The paper, the photography, the writing, it all matters to us. We’re so proud of the devotion people have to this 125-year-old brand. We love our followers and enjoy interacting closely in our social communities on Instagram and Facebook where we can continue the conversations that are limited in print.  So, it’s becoming a nice little symbiotic floral world at Florists’ Review. We have so many exciting things to create, people to meet, and fabulous flowers to enjoy! We’re grateful for every day of it!” 

How to Revive a Dead Plant Using 8 Simple Tips - Approved by Gardening Experts

Don't give up on your plant yet! Follow these amazing tricks to promote healthier, longer-living plants.

Here’s some great tips for reviving your plants from Thursd!

By: THURSD. | 01-09-2022 | 5 min read

EXPLAINEDHOUSEPLANTS

All may not be lost! Your plants can have a second life and come back to their greenest and most abundant shape if you carefully and conscientiously follow these 8 hacks on how to revive a dead plant.

These Efficient Tips on How to Revive a Dead Plant Are Plant-Savers-Literally

Although appearances on plants can be deceiving and misleading, even if a plant looks dead, it doesn't mean that it is 100% dead. Give these professional gardening tricks on how to revive a dead plant first, instead of tossing it out firsthand.

1. Look for Signs of Life

When it comes to plants, the term "dead” is completely relative because at times it may look like your plant is ready to be thrown away, but if you take a closer look, that may not be the case. Always check if there's still some green left in the plant because this is a good sign, meaning not everything is lost.

Make sure to also check the roots. As the plant’s support system, they provide a lot of information about the state of its overall health.

2. Check if You Have Overwatered Your Plant

If you've been hydrating your plant with too much water, you'll need to change this instantly. Indeed plants need water to survive and thrive, but it’s possible to give a plant too much water. You will tell they're overwatered if they start showing brown or yellow wilted leaves with moist soil. This will affect the roots, causing them to rot.

How to revive this dead-looking plant? Simple! According to professional gardeners, you should remove the plant from direct sunlight and stop watering until the soil dries out.

3. On the Same Note, Check if You Have Underwatered

How to revive a dead plant if you notice it's underwatered? Gardening professionals recommend letting your plant soak in water for a few hours for it to get its hydration properties back to life again.

When searching for signs to see if your plant is underwatered, you'll probably notice the plant wilting, plus its leaves will start to dry out and brown at the tips, and then turn brown, die, and drop off. Follow the great advice of letting the plant soak in water so you can revive your dead-looking plant.

4. Remove Dead Leaves

If you want to know how to revive a dead plant, here goes another great tip. Plants that are deteriorating will likely have dead leaves, and you’ll need to get rid of them to get your plant revived. If you notice leaves are completely brown, let them go, because they're not coming back. On the contrary, you'll want to focus on new growth instead.

To remove them, snip the dead leaves with a pair of scissors, or gently pinch the dead leaves with your fingertips.

5. Cut Back the Stems

When strumming the leaves or stems of a plant, of course, this will help revive a dead plant, but progress takes time. Don't get scared or flushed away if you don't see immediate results in your plant's revival process.

If you want to know how to revive a dead plant, you'll want to start by trimming back the dead leaves, and then take off dead bits of the stem as well. Ideally, you want to take it back to the healthiest bits of the plant, but if the stems are dead, then leave at least two inches of them above the soil.

6. Be Cautious About the Lighting

Lighting is an important factor for the health of your houseplants, so you’ll need to make sure that your variety is getting the optimal amount. Once you know if your houseplant prefers full sun, partial sun, direct sunlight, or indirect sunlight, then you can move it to a more suitable area of your home.

This is a great tip on how to revive a dead plant: if your plant isn’t getting enough light, move it to somewhere it will enjoy optimal amounts of sunlight, without exaggerating.

7. Provide Additional Nutrients

Feeding your plant is especially important during the growing seasons of spring and summer. A malnourished plant will instantly show weak stems or discolored leaves, so to revive a dead or dying plant, you’ll need compost or fertilizer.

Simply repotting your dying plant is a great hack on how to revive a dead plant. Soil can decrease the amounts of nutrients over time, so repotting every few years is always a good idea.

8. Wait at Least a Month

Patience is key when you're a plant parent looking at how to revive a dead plant. Keep a close eye on your plant for a few weeks and then reevaluate its state. It's very important to be conscious of the fact that once you’ve taken steps to revive a dying plant, it can take up to a month before you start to see an improvement or new growth.

Don't give up on your plant too soon, it needs you! If you follow these amazing tips on how to revive a dead plant, we're sure you'll retrieve its beautiful green leaves and stems.

Learn How Red Flowers Can Have an Impact on Your Mood and Their Significance

Who doesn’t love the color red? Enjoy this read from Thursd. on all the ways this special color can lift your mood!

Red on red makes the perfect combination, making this striking color along with red flowers are a great mood shifter.

By: THURSD. | 17-11-2022 | 4 min read

FLOWERSTHURSD FLORAL TREND COLOR

It is widely known that color psychology works greatly with the human mind to create a boosting effect, whether it be emotional, or mental. Because every flower color has a different meaning and effect, we're making emphasis on how 'passion red' the Thursd Floral Trend Color of 2023, and red flowers can transform your frame of mind.

Passion Red- The 2023 Thursd Floral Trend Color

In case you missed the color news, on Thursd we recently announced what the Floral Trend Color of 2023 will be. Any guesses? It's a dark, passionate, deep color that exuberates courage and passion. Yep, the 2023 Thursd Floral Color Trend is passion red and we could not be more excited as to what this color will bring and symbolize for the floral industry and overall daily lives. Read the full article 'Thursd Floral Trend Color 2023 - Passion Red' to know more.

The protagonist color that'll be taking over floral bouquets, arrangements, decorations for events, interior decoration at home, and everything you could imagine will be a dark, cherry, passionate red and truly, we're living for it. Although this color will make a statement and grand entrance to welcome 2023, it's important to understand the psychology of colors and the impact they can have on our mood.

Color Psychology - How It Works

In its simplest terms, color psychology has become a popular area of color theory that assigns emotional and psychological connotations between colors and emotions. Many of these meanings are universal because they have an effect on the brain but some are only cultural. When traveling, it would be wise to research the accepted and non-accepted colors for any family or cultural event you are attending abroad.

Sometimes a hue can have many connotations for you. For example, you may choose to wear red one day because:

• It lifts your mood

• You are ready to light up your daily passions

• You are feeling powerful

• You want to make a statement

Now that we've mentioned the Thursd Floral Trend Color that'll be taking over 2023, aka 'Passion Red', the moment to know how this color can impact your mood has finally come. You'll be impressed to know the effects of this striking color on your daily spirit and disposition.

The Impact of Red on Your Mood

Red attracts the most attention and is associated with strong emotions, such as love and passion. It's of course known as the universal color that represents eternal love. Not only that, but red is also a strong color that signifies strength, power, and courage in everything that you do.

But the best part of all, the Thursd Floral Trend Color for 2023 passion red is energizing and exciting, motivating us to act and do everything with ultimate passion as if it was our last day on earth.  It can also give confidence to those who are shy or lacking in willpower.

Powerful Red Flowers Are the Perfect Mood Boosters

Every type of flower and color has a different meaning and impact on the human eye. In this case, red color is no exception, appearing to be one of the strongest, and most appealing visual flower colors. Although the red color has a general meaning and symbolism, red flowers also have a significance of their own.

Red is an undeniable symbol of love and passion, primarily because the color red is associated with the heart. Red also represents the color of flushed cheeks. In addition to desire, red can also represent strength and courage, two very important characteristics that are essential more than ever to be successful in all the challenges faced on a daily basis in the flower industry.

Some of our all-time fave red flowers include red roses (need we say more about these beauties?), followed by red poppies, chrysanthemums, red anthuriums, and lastly passion red alstroemeria. To see a full list of our favorite selection of roses that embed the Thursd Floral Trend Color Palette for 2023, make sure to read the article 'The Perfect Floral Trend Color Palette for 2023 Using David Austin Roses'.

So, are you a declared red fan now? Hold on tight, because the flower world will be conquered by red flowers and the passion red trend color!

Newest Ranunculus and Anemone Novelties Shown at IFTF

What amazing flowers shown at the IFTF. Enjoy this read from Thursd. on everything about ranunculus and anemone flowers!

International flower fairs are the perfect spot to catch up on novelties in the floral industry. Here are two beautiful ones that are very popular trend-setters.

By: THURSD. | 23-11-2022 | 3 min read

FLOWERSNOVELTIES

If you attended this year's IFTF in Amsterdam, Netherlands, you know it was a complete flower paradise, to say the least. With this comes one of the most paradisiac flower booths seen at IFTF 2022. Rosaprima from Ecuador really stole everyone's hearts with their newest Ranunculus and Anemone varieties and you're bound to know why.

Rosaprima Caught the Direct Attention of Visitors at IFTF 2022

Show stealers when it comes to flowers? Absolutely yes! This year, the top Ecuadorian company had a very impactful presence at one of the most popular trade fairs in the Netherlands. From the opening on November 9th till the fair's closing on November 11th, Rosaprima was one of the most recured booths. Why? The answer is high-quality, amazingly colored, and out-of-this-world flower varieties.

Literally, everyone who passed by just seemed to stop and stare at the infinite beauty of their flowers, especially that of their garden roses. But we're not here to talk about their conquering roses, but rather their newest ranunculus and anemone varieties that were centered in their booth, evoking all the attention towards their distinctive shapes and colors.

The Newest Ranunculus and Anemone Products Showed Extreme Attractiveness

Sexy, whimsical, and quaint are the vibes both the new ranunculus and anemone varieties by Rosaprima give you. The feeling of love, at first sight, was widely felt when visitors from different countries saw them exposed in their IFTF booth.

Ranunculus by Rosaprima

Some of the most common reactions observed were a daily lineup of "wows", and "never seen something more beautiful." But leaving the beauty aside for a short bit, it's time to get into what you came for and learn about the new ranunculus and anemone novelties by Rosaprima.

Anemone by Rosaprima

Ranunculus Trend-Setters

With a clear shiny spectrum, and striking bright colorful tones throughout the three days of the fair, the 2022 Ranunculus collection by this prestige Ecuadorian flower company was everything flower lovers could ever wish for and more.

After nearly 26 years of growing only the best roses available, the company was utterly prepared to broaden its product line and introduce ranunculus flowers as a brand-new, exceptional offering. These new buds, which were raised on the same estate as our roses, high in the Andes, are sure to catch everyone's attention, and guess what? They totally did.

The paper-like petals of blossoms on bright, curved stems exude a charming beauty. Discover the quirky buds and new colors in their newest collection of Ranunculus here!

Introducing New Anemone Varieties as Well

Rosaprima was also delighted to make their newest Anemone varieties stand out at the IFTF 2022. Specifically, their Anemone Mistral Panda and Anemone Mistral Bordeaux were seen making a grand entrance at their flower booth.

These beautiful blooms are perfect for any occasion, adding a touch of elegance to any arrangement. During the fair, the new anemones were seen intertwining in glass vases, mixing white and dark purple tonalities to create a unique and noticeable color combo.

Always Innovating and Creating Top-Quality Blooms

Looking for ways to excel in everything they do is definitely a strong and visible characteristic that describes this passionate flower company. It is no surprise that Rosaprima is known to be one of the most popular and liked flower businesses not only because of the essence and valuable information they share with their followers and clients, but because their products are truly one in a million when it comes to innovation, colors, shapes, and quality.

Hope to see more of Rosaprima next year and what they'll bring to the table!

Fresh Cut Christmas Tree Care

Fresh Cut Christmas Tree Care

Make a Fresh Cut

• Make a fresh cut on the trunk to open up the pores which have been clogged by sap. Cut off at least one-half inch. The fresh-cut surface should be creamy-white, not yellow or brown. If you do not make a fresh cut, the tree will not be able to drink water.

• After the cut is made, put the tree in warm water as soon as possible. The longer the time between when the tree is given a fresh cut and when it is put into the water, the less ability the tree has to absorb water.

• Even if a hole is drilled to accommodate a pin-type stand, a fresh cut also should be made on the trunk.

Place Tree in Water

• Place the tree in a sturdy stand which will hold at least one gallon of water.

• Check tree stand for leaks.

• Fill stand with water.

• If the tree is not going into the house soon after the purchase, it should be stored in a bucket of clear water on a cool porch or patio away from wind and sun in warm climates and protected from freezing and wind in cold climates.

Water Daily

• A cut tree will drink 65% of its water in the first week. A good rule of thumb is that for every 1” of diameter, a tree will use a quart of water per day. For example, a 4” diameter tree will use 1 gallon of water per day for the first several days.

• An average tree may consume between a quart and a gallon of water per day.

• If the water level drops below the cut end of the trunk, a seal will form and no more water will be absorbed by the tree unless another fresh cut is made. So don’t forget to add water every day.

Keep Away From Heat Sources

• Place the tree away from heat sources such as heating vents, fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, or sunny windows.

LED Lights Produce Minimum Heat

• LED lights produce virtually no heat and reduce the drying effect upon a tree.

• Always check light sets for frayed, cracked wire insulation & broken sockets before placing them on a tree.

• Do not attempt to repair a worn light set. Throw it away and buy a new set.

• Do not overload electrical circuits.

Remove Tree Promptly

• After Christmas, before the tree dies, remove it from the house for recycling or pick up by your local disposal service.

• If the tree dies before you remove it from your house, dried needles will be extremely messy.

• Never burn any part of a Christmas tree in a wood stove or fireplace.

9 Astonishing Facts to Fall in Love With Roses All Over Again

We love this fascinating article about everything roses from Thursd.!

So much to know about roses that it dazzles you - interesting 'did you know that'-items to make you love these beautiful flowers even more.

By: THURSD. | 18-01-2022 | 7 min read

ROSES

Roses are definitely the most loved flowers in the world. And with good reason: they come in a stunning array of shapes, sizes, and shades, making them favorites in yards and gardens around the world. But also as cut flowers they have so many qualities. We make a som of the facts why you will probably fall in love all over again with these astonishing beauties.

1. Did You Know There's a Rose Bush From 1,000 Years Old? 

The oldest living rose is 1,000 years old. It grows on the wall of the Cathedral of Hildesheim in Germany and its presence is documented since A.D. 815. According to the legend, the rosebush symbolizes the prosperity of the city of Hildesheim. As long as it flourishes, Hildesheim will be ok. In 1945 allied bombers destroyed the cathedral, yet the rosebush survived. Its roots remained intact, and soon the bush was growing strong again.

2. Roses Can Be Edible

While it is true that most people add roses to the garden for their looks alone, roses have a long history of being used as food and medicine. Roses are classified as “herbs”. And they are recognized as useful plants. Their petals are edible and rose water (made from soaking the petals in water) is often added to jellies or jams or used as an added flavor in Indian and Chinese dishes. In the industry there are also growers, growing these special small roses to use for food dishes.

Keep in mind, if you are using roses as food, they should be chemical-free. Don’t use roses that have been sprayed with pesticides or any other chemicals. Growing your own roses is the best way to ensure that you have good roses for your medicine cabinet, table, or any other use.

 

3. Some Rosehips Are Full of Vitamin C

Roses also grow a berry-shaped fruit commonly referred to as ‘rose hips’. The fruit can be orange, red, dark purple, or even black. Rose hips are packed with vitamin C and can be dried to create a refreshing tea. This is why rosehips are sometimes used to create jam, jelly & marmalade. The hip also has minor medicinal uses, is used in food supplements, and can be pressed or filtered to make rose hip syrup.

Inge Quint in the Rosehips Field from De Ruiter

4. Their Fragrance is Used to Make Perfumes

We all know the saying: Stop and smell the roses. Well, roses weren’t chosen for this phrase by chance; their lovely aroma is a popular floral scent and is even used in many perfumes. Specifically, rose oil has been an important ingredient in the perfume industry for centuries. The process of extracting rose oil from flowers requires a huge amount of roses; just one gram of oil is produced from two thousand roses. The rose scent comes from microscopic perfume glands on the petals.

I was astonished to learn that the Rose Valley in Bulgaria produces 85% of the world’s rose oil.

The rose scent is one of the flower’s most treasured characteristics. Greeks and Romans made perfume from roses, and to this day, their scent is an important element in many of the world’s best and most successful perfume blends. Centifolia and damask roses are the most common choices used to make perfume. The petals are gathered at night as they are at their most fragrant just before sunrise. The essential oils are extracted and used to mix other ingredients in order to make perfume.

Rosewater is a by-product of the process that makes rose oil. Rosewater is used in perfumes and also in cosmetics, as a flavoring, and in medicines. It is also used in Middle Eastern cuisine, also referred to as ‘rose syrup’, the French use it as a flavoring. The rose-flavored liquid is added to desserts, meringue, marshmallows, and drinks for a distinctive taste.

5. Roses Are One of the Oldest Flowers

Archaeologists have discovered rose fossils that date back as far as 35 million years. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, roses are the oldest species of plant to be grown as decoration. The rose (genus Rosa, family Rosaceae) is the oldest species of plant cultivated and used for decorative purposes. Documents dated to 50 AD suggest that ancient Romans grew the flowers in vast plantations and local greenhouses to ensure a year-round supply of medicinal extracts, cooking ingredients, and ornamentation. Ancient Romans used roses to decorate buildings, furniture, and people, whilst petals were laid to create rose carpets and walkways.

There is evidence dating back 5,000 years, the Chinese and Japanese created rose gardens, although it is not known if these were for ornamental reasons. Similarly, Theophrastus (382-287 BC) wrote about the cultivation of roses in ancient Greece.

Design Holly Chapple

6. Each Rose Color Has a Different Meaning

Everyone knows that roses have long been a symbol of love, but the color choice also plays a role in what a rose symbolizes. Also, it is important to emphasize that meanings can vary in different cultures.

You can find a story about those meanings here: "Rose Color Meanings of 8 Different Roses!". Here are a few short details:

Red: Love & Romance

Pink: Admiration & Elegance

Yellow: Friendship & Sunshine

White: Purity & Innocence & Spirituality

Orange: Enthusiasm & Energy

 

 

7. Real Black or Blue Roses by Nature?

Sorry to disappoint, but there is no such thing as ‘black’ roses. What might sometimes be referred to as a black rose is actually a dark red rose.

Matthias Meilland explains a bit about the color black in roses

"The Rose Black Baccara is one of the darkest roses in the world, cutting it from the plant it will stay black. But real black doesn't exist in roses. You miss the genes for real black. Look at the new variety Black Gold, the outer petals are darkened, almost black, which is something you normally do not want, but with this variety it works. It is part of the research. This also happened with the Black Baccara, looking for new red roses, this variety came by, and we knew it was going to be a huge succes."

Rose Black Gold

Rose Black Baccara

True-blue pigments don’t occur naturally in roses. There are lots of good purples among the old roses and hundreds of excellent mauves and lilacs were introduced in the 1950s and 1960s (think of Sterling Silver, Lavender Dream, and Lilac Charm) as the unexpected result of breeding for vigor. Rhapsody in Blue, a vigorous shrub with smoky-purple flowers, is one of the most popular of modern roses, but it’s not the sort of blue we’re looking for.

The truth is that the only way to get clear blues into our roses is by doing a bit of genetic modification in the lab. This is something that many people disapprove of, conveniently forgetting that the History of all plant-breeding is basically a history of genetic improvement. In 2004, researchers used genetic modification to create roses that contain the blue pigment delphinidin, but such roses still are better described as mauves and lilacs not blue.

 

8. The Rose is the US National Flower

On November 20, 1986, President Ronald Reagan officially made the rose the national flower emblem of the United States. He did this while standing in the famous White House Rose Garden. Various varieties of roses are also the state flower of Georgia, Iowa, New York, North Dakota, and Washington, D.C.

9. The Most Expensive Rose Sold for Millions of Dollars

Rose breeder David Austin spent $5 million to create the apricot-hued hybrid over the course of 15 years. Rose Juliet debuted in 2006 at the Chelsea Flower Show and took the floral world by storm not only for its blushing beauty but because it was the most expensive rose ever developed. The Juliet rose sold for $15.8 million in 2006, which also made it the world’s most expensive rose cultivar.

Rose Juliet

When it comes to roses, there’s more to them than meets the eye. Sure, roses are renowned for their beauty and symbolic meaning, but they’re also incredibly interesting flowers with a rich history.

Open Sundays Starting This Week!

The Holidays have arrived and to better serve our community our retail shop located in Beacon Hill will be open Sundays starting November 20th through December 17th 11am to 4pm.

Benefits of Having Plants in Office or the Classroom

What a great read from Thursd. on all the great benefits plants can have on the work enviroment!

There are numerous benefits of having plants in the office or the classroom, ranging from the physical to mental health of students, teachers, and employees.

By: THURSD | 04-10-2022 | 4 min read

EXPLAINEDHOUSEPLANTS

Introduction

Plants provide clean oxygen and also help to balance our natural ecosystem. Other benefits of having plants in the office or the classroom include improving the aesthetics of the space. Moreover, too much noise in the room can increase employee and student stress levels. Plants absorb such acoustic noise, improving creativity, productivity, and mood in general. Such mental conditions for students can boost the brain’s performance in demanding tasks where they require medical homework assistance. Of course, you can get help with nursing assignment that is more complex than others.

Six Benefits of Having Plants in the Office or the Classroom

Keep reading to uncover the six benefits of having plants in the office or the classroom. 

1. Make the Air Healthier

Plants absorb carbon (IV) oxide from the atmosphere and emit oxygen. Leaves and roots can help remove pollutants from the air. If you have a student or member of staff with breathing conditions, big leafy trees are a great choice. They can help to regulate the humidity of the environment. The improved humidity can help prevent sore throats, colds, and coughs.

2. Boost Productivity

In a study conducted by the University of Exeter, it was found that employees' productivity improved by 15% after the management added houseplants to the previously sparse working environment. The study yielded the same results in two big commercial offices in the UK and Netherlands.

This effect also benefits both the teachers and students. Green classrooms can make science education more fun as pupils interact directly with nature.

3. Reduce Stress Levels

According to another research, plants in your office or home help to reduce physiological stress. The study showed that when people interact with flowers and trees, they feel more relaxed. They also have lower blood pressure and are less stressed. Also, other studies have reported significant falls in cases of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, a workplace filled with flowers has been found to suppress anger, apathy, and fatigue. Filling college classes with greenery can make students more receptive to learning.

4. Increase Aesthetic Appeal

Plant additions to indoor spaces make great nature-inspired adornments. They can make a previously dull-looking windowsill look more attractive. In addition, having a natural light source in a working or learning environment can significantly benefit. Indoor plants can give the classroom or office a more natural, harmonious, and positive ambiance. Added to the visual effect it creates for the workers, it can also increase applicants' interest. 

5. Improve Students' Mental Health

Plants create an aesthetic appeal that makes teachers, students, and employees at the office happier. Naturally, the human brain tends to be drawn to nature. Students learning in this environment tend to be more receptive to their studies. Green learning environments are good for students. They help the development and physical well-being of the students. Plants in classes also help lower the rate of sickness, absenteeism, and student anxiety.

6. Encourage Environmental Awareness and Responsibility

Children with little knowledge of their environments grow into adults with little appreciation of nature. This can affect their attitude towards other areas of their life, including their jobs. Teachers should make their lesson notes to incorporate attention and care for the plants in the classroom. When students understand the effort and care needed to grow trees, it builds a sense of ownership and responsibility for living beings. Consequently, they’ll be more careful in how they manage their environment. 

Best Beneficial Plants for People in Classrooms and Offices

There are many beneficial plants for people to place in homes, schools, and offices. However, you must consider several aspects when choosing one to adorn your indoor space. Key factors to consider are how often you'll water them and how much daylight is accessible in the environment where you want to place them. With these factors in mind, we’ve selected our top 10 houseplants that survive better indoors:

• Peace lily

• Monstera Deliciosa

• Spider plant

• Mini jade

• Asparagus fern

• Money tree

• Philodendron

• String of Hearts

• Calathea Ornata

• Cast-Iron plant

Conclusion

There are numerous benefits of having plants in the office or the classroom, ranging from the physical to mental health of students, teachers, and employees. Also, having some green around can immensely boost creativity and increase productivity. In addition, trees filter toxic gases from the atmosphere, providing adequate oxygen and healthy air for respiration. You can adorn your office or classroom with philodendron, money tree, or asparagus fern. The choice is yours, but the result will undoubtedly be positive!

News on The Hill

Nuts Factory opens in Former Peet's Coffee & Tea Space in Boston's Beacon Hill

A NYC-based group of stores featuring nuts and other snacks opened this week on

Charles Street. According to a source, Nuts Factory opened its doors this week on

Beacon Hill, moving into the space on Charles Street that had been home to a location

of Peet's Coffee & Tea until it closed in the early part of 2019. Based on its other shops

in Manhattan, Queens, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, expect to see such items as

roasted nuts, dried fruits, seeds, granola, chocolates, coffee, and more at the proposed

store. They are a great addition to the neighborhood. The address for the upcoming

Nuts Factory in Beacon Hill is 62-66 Charles Street, Boston, MA, 02114. The website

for the company can be found at https://nutsfactorynyc.com/

The USS Constitution Museum marked its 225th birthday of the Constitution

and the Museum’s own 50th birthday by inviting the public to join the celebration

through a Birthday Block Party in the Charlestown Navy Yard. The free event was a

community affair, with family-friendly activities and entertainment hosted by the

military branches, veteran organizations, and the Museum’s own hands-on educators.

The public celebration was the culmination of multi-day events honoring the 225th

Birthday of “Old Ironsides.” The Museum’s mission is to engage visitors in the story of

Constitution to spark excitement about maritime heritage, naval service, and the

American experience. The Museum is open seven days a week with a pay-what-you-

wish admission policy, and the Virtual Museum is open 24/7. The USS Constitution

Museum is a 2022 winner in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice in the “Best History

Museum” category and Boston Parents Paper’s Family Favorites in the “Historic Sites

& Tours” and “Museums & Attractions” categories. For more information, visit

usscm.org.

Pilgrim Art Foundation Tracks Down a Portrait, Discovers Beacon Hill Ties

A missing portrait with a Beacon Hill connection is the start of this story. In the fall of

2019, musician Mark Junglen contacted The Lily and Earle M. Pilgrim Art Foundation

located in Washington, D.C., with the image of a portrait signed by Earle Pilgrim and

dated 1955. The subject is American composer Samuel Foster Hall, a 1950s Boston

University School of Music student now retired but still maintaining his office, ‘Play It

Again Sam, in Colorado Springs. Bajan American New York artist Earle Montrose

Pilgrim (1923-76) had moved from Provincetown to Beacon Hill in 1954 with his

wife, Lily; but very little about this period is known in the erratic artist’s life. A brief

telephone conversation with Hall on the eve of the pandemic told very little about the

story that they would meet at The Sevens Ale House on Charles Street to play chess,

and that Sam eventually sat for Pilgrim in his 80 West Cedar Street apartment. Then

this summer, finally, the Foundation was able to schedule a visit with Hall for a

viewing of the portrait at the offices of Play It Again Sam in Colorado Springs. Stories

that preceded the visit are consistent with similar stories oft reported by Boston art

historian Charles Giuliano, shedding more light on Pilgrim’s erratic behavior. At

various points in their relationship Pilgrim had claimed he was Watusi and

apparently at one point threw the finished painting in the gutter. Finally, Hall’s wife

was able to buy it from Pilgrim, for about $100. After this incident, Hall never saw

Pilgrim again. After his Beacon Hill years, Hall went on to live and work in New York

City, San Francisco, and Colorado Springs, operating Play It Again Sam, a music

business; and composing pieces that include “Concerto for Two Saxophones” and

“Toward a New Horizon.” The Lily And Earle M. Pilgrim Art Foundation promotes the

visual art of the African diaspora, an appreciation of artists who lack public

recognition, and public access to art through best practices in the preservation and

placement of culturally important artworks.Two Interesting Articles

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Plants For Students That Practically Take Care of

Themselves

These are some of the plants for students that serve to decorate and purify the

environment. They are also economical, especially when one does not have too much

budget.

Everyone is used to seeing students as perpetually busy young people who have no

time for anything except studying and socializing with their classmates. And, of

course, it's no secret that most students live in dormitories with not the best

conditions. Today we want to talk about how to improve your room in the hostel so

that it does not take much time and effort. And since our site is mainly dedicated to

plants today, we will tell you which plants are best suited for the dormitory.

Many people are terrified of having plants at home since they do not have time to take

care of them or do not understand them. However, we will debunk these myths by

introducing you to some practical student plants that care for themselves.

Indoor plants help to improve the mood of those who grow them while purifying the

air we breathe. So they will also help improve your mental performance.

Devil's Ivy (Pothos)

Perhaps one of the easiest plants to keep indoors in the dorm since it can be grown in

a container with soil or a glass of water. This plant has heart-shaped leaves that vary

in color from the darkest green to the lightest yellow. Offer it a dim light, either the

white light from a desk, near a window, or in a bathroom, and keep the soil slightly

moist.

Succulents

A succulent will be ideal for you if you have somewhere well sunny since it is a desert

plant and does not need to be overwatered. In addition, it withstands sun and drought

because it stores water and food in its leaves. Give it direct sun or intense light, water

it once every two weeks, and keep the soil dry and well drained. I knew an essay

writer who has been forgotten to water a succulent for almost a month. And he

survived!

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

This is an excellent plant for gift-giving since you can place it in small spaces with

little natural light. Spathiphyllum produces white flowers covered by a spathe of the

same color. Its leaves are deep green and can be kept in the same container for a long

time. Remember to provide it with indirect light and water it once a week.

Fern

There is a wide variety of ferns to choose from. However, it is essential to place it

where it is kept moist and receives indirect light. Generally, it prefers diffused natural

light and slightly moist soil. Fertilize once a month with organic compost.

Lucky Bamboo

Lucky bamboo is very fashionable in offices and dorm rooms. This plant is fast-

growing, and one of its main attractions is its trunks since they are very similar to

those of natural bamboo. It can also be grown in water. Lucky bamboo prefers dim,

light, moist soil to be fertilized once a month to grow much faster.

These are some of the plants for students that serve to decorate and purify the

environment. They are also economical, especially when one does not have too much

budget.