Your Neighborhood Florist since 1981. Delivery throughout Downtown & Greater Boston with Beacon Hill & Winchester Shops
Shout your love from the rooftops…or send them this showstopping arrangement to convey your deepest emotions. Hot pink roses, two-toned Gervase amaryllis, light pink cymbidium & Ocelot vanda orchids are exquisitely paired with soft blue-green eucalyptus foliage and rolled aspidistra leaves. This lush design is delivered in a tall black glass cylinder vase.
23x34” as shown
Designed + hand delivered by our staff within our Delivery Zone.
Here’s everything to know about the amazing florist and event designer, Preston Bailey. from Thursd.!
A renowned event planner also known as one of the worlds best floral couturiers tells you all about his career in the flower industry.
By: THURSD. | 11-01-2023 | 9 min read
Preston Bailey transforms spaces into theatrical environments with his spectacular flower ideas. He has created some of the most extravagant weddings and events in the world and still has the drive to empower everyone who wishes to follow the same career path.
This renowned Hollywood floral couturier chats exclusively on Thursd about his take on the floral industry. You will learn about his personal journey of becoming a master wedding and event planner with an absolute love for flowers. His trend-setting flower confession will reveal more about Preston’s innovative artistic eye.
Preston Bailey is a Panamanian floral designer and party planner who has worked in the floral art industry for over thirty years. He currently resides in New York, but this does not prevent him from working all over the world.
Floral artist Bailey began working in the industry at the age of 19 during a period of economic hardship. His friend, the designer Vicente Wolf, assisted him by offering him a job creating floral compositions for his clients. It was at this point that he discovered his exceptional knack for managing flowers and making figures at this time. During this time, he met actress and television host Joan Rivers, who introduced him to Oprah Winfrey, one of the personalities responsible for developing his career.
If you ask anyone, Preston Bailey is probably, and without a doubt one of the biggest event gurus in the world. He specializes in various types of events like:
Known for his extraordinary ability to transform spaces into theatrical environments, by using the most recent technologies in the marketplace.
Renowned artist with his larger-than-life public exhibits. His art has appeared in many countries across the world.
Corporate Events, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Showers, Anniversaries, etc.
Dedicated to supporting and remaining accessible to the industry initiated the idea for his PB Protege program, a series of specialized masterclasses that offer mentorship and education to industry professionals at all levels.
The designer specializes in large-scale event decoration. Bailey has the ability to generate a one-of-a-kind, magical atmosphere. His creative powers are so excellent that he only charges for his ideas, so they don't get stolen, which the media claims has already occurred to him.
He has national and worldwide acclaim, which is why he now undertakes more than "in situ" decoration. Bailey teaches decorating and event planning classes. In addition, the designer has written multiple books about event decoration as well as his inspiration, which is important in this industry. See also '15 Best Floral Instagram Accounts to Follow.'
Preston Bailey's clientele includes politicians, fashion designers, and even well-known actors... Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka Trump, Jennifer Hudson, Uma Thurman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Liza Minelli, and the previously mentioned Joan Rivers and Oprah Winfrey are among the most noteworthy. Read how he has risen among the stars!
Before giving you all the deets on Preston Bailey and why he's known worldwide for his work and everything he does, let's get into a little background check about him.
First of all, we’re in awe of all the prettiness that you and your team design. Can you tell us something that is still on your wishlist? Anything floral- and/or business-related?
"There are two things on my wish list: a. As a legacy, hoping to be opening a business that deals only in events that are affordable to all. b. Hoping to one day Art-Direct a Netflix movie."
The initiative of the Preston Bailey education program is to support others and strives to remain accessible to the industry. Where does your drive for community, transparency, and tutoring come from?
"That drive comes from a place of reminding folks, that even though we do these over-the-top jobs and work with many celebs, billionaires, etc. That it is not us. Personally, I started this business because I needed a job. I happen to be a high school dropout. My main purpose is to empower everyone who wants to follow their dreams or a similar path as mine. Through the program, I am showing them that it is totally doable. You just need to be hungry enough and be willing to work hard."
What would you say is a flower confession that most people don’t know about you or wouldn’t expect?
"That, after many years of working with amazingly fresh flowers, I am also very comfortable with working and embracing some amazing silk flowers. Especially the ones which are handmade in France. Each one of these blooms looks like a piece of art."
Growing up, what is your first memory of anything floral? Why did you choose flowers and what was it that made you stick with them as the main element in your work?
"I grew up in Panama and I wish I could tell you that I grew up loving flowers, but that's far from the truth. As I said, I came into the flower world by accident. A good friend of mine recommended to try working with flowers, and to my surprise, I discovered something that I absolutely loved. Let’s face it, working with flowers is working with perfection and this could be very seductive. I am sure all of my floral friends might agree.
The reason flowers became a main element in my work is simple; certain artists use paint to create their art, I use flowers to create my art installations."
What was your biggest challenge when starting your business? Would you say not being a florist from origin has influenced your career path?
"My biggest challenge when starting my business was charging properly. I still think this is a huge challenge in our industry. Unfortunately, most clients do not understand the effort that goes into creating an event. And of course, working with flowers created this amazing journey in life of becoming an artist and an event designer."
In floriculture, the title ‘Master Florist’ relates to the fact of having an education and/or certification accredited by a school or institution. Can you tell us your vision on this and how this relates to your own path in floristry and your Protégé Program?
"Simple, I think in order to call yourself a “Master Florist” there are a few very specific tools and mechanics that you need to learn. In our classes, I am very diligent in teaching these mechanics. Most importantly I try to make it accessible. Once you have these basic mechanics at your disposal, it's up to the artist to create their own floral design universe."
You set the bar for event designers worldwide. As an author of multiple books, a personality, a tutor, and running a big core staff at Preston Bailey Entertainment Design, how do you find the time to create yourself? And, would you say you are still involved in every event?
"I think one of the most important disciplines for any artist, is to make time every day to work on your crafts. For at least twenty-five years, I have gotten up at five in the morning, I work out, meditate, pray, write, and work on new design ideas. I love that time of the day, I always feel that the creative juices are more alive during those moments. Of course, other people might work better at night. My point is simple, in this very busy and demanding world, if you want to create something, you have to book it into your daily schedule. Within my company, I have two jobs. One is to design and the second is giving my clients the best service possible. Once my design is finished, I turn it over to the production department and I always keep a very close eye on how it is coming to life."
One part of your education program is ‘Preston Bailey Live!’ which you hosted at the Legacy Castle in New Jersey. Can you share with us an anecdote from your career that was a learning experience, one which you would share with your attendees during this event?
"The biggest lesson I learned is, that I wish I had more time and energy to spend with all my 150 students. I feel so honored that they are there to learn from me and meet me. Also, I run my classes like a serious university; I keep away from the usual flow that is common in many conferences. My only goal for the students is to take home as much useful information as possible. My associates accuse me of being too rigid with the full schedule, but I intend to keep it like that."
Can you tell us where you buy your flowers?
"We get our flowers from FMI Farms and Rosa Express."
Which type of flower has ever surprised you and can you tell us in which sense?
"Orchids! I love that there are hundreds of different varieties. I love the idea of discovering a new orchid."
Your art installations are there to enjoy by the general public so that everyone can enjoy your over-the-top florals as often as they please. Can you walk us through the process of setting up such an art installation?
"In this process, there are three steps: a) We design it. b) We produce it. c) We Install it."
If you could pick one floral designer that inspires you to take a stroll through Paris with and pick their brain – who would that be?
"That would be Daniël Ost, with which I’ve already had the pleasure of working and I think he is brilliant."
If you have not yet seen Preston Bailey's work before, you're missing out big time on one of the most famous and exquisite flower designers known for his extraordinary ability to transform spaces into theatrical environments, by using the most recent technologies in the marketplace.
Featuring an appealing brownish pink nude color, this rose was the center of attention in Tom de Houwer's masterclass.
By: THURSD. | 10-01-2023 | 5 min read
Tom De Houwer is a well-known international floral artist from Belgium, teaching and mentoring florists and floral creatives from all over the world. On this occasion, Tom shares how Decofresh's lovely roses - including Rose Moccachino - consistently demonstrate the correctness and beauty of these flowers. All in all, I am keen to share what my masterclass was all about.
"The beautiful roses of Decofresh always prove you right,"
says De Houwer. For the past four years, Tom has preferred Decofresh Roses for his floral designs. The first year for the centerpiece was at Fleuramour 2018, where he used around 5,600 Ever Red roses in his design. Another yearly event is Hoogstraten in Groenten en Bloemen, where the roses are even used outdoors - proving their quality is absolutely reliable.
After twenty years of experience, Tom has bundled his knowledge in a 6-day Masterclass: Bloom Up. Where students fly over to Belgium from all over the world. He teaches new techniques for designing but also about how to discover or rediscover your authentic path as a floral creative and designs a plan that resonates with it. It’s much more than a flower design course; this masterclass gives you clarity on your life as a whole.
In every Bloom Up masterclass of Tom De Houwer, the students get a mystery assignment where they execute a large-scale design on a secret location with the guidance of Tom himself. This year, however, was an exceptional edition. Castle Zellaer, a breathtaking venue near Mechelen, granted the opportunity to decorate their iconic baroque-styled dining room.
The students and Tom would turn this room into a decor for 'The King’s Daughter’s Wedding Rehearsal Dinner’ in only one day. With a dining table, a backdrop, and some bridal bouquets, this room just asked for this setup.
"Decofresh Flowers approached me confidentially about the release of this new kind of rose, with the opportunity to collaborate. Of course, I was very flattered by this opportunity and started brainstorming right away. I always try to connect the dots in the circumstances at hand to maximize every situation - a strategy I teach my students in my 4-day masterclass as well. And so I came up with the idea to let my students work with these roses in a large-scale design during the Masterclass,"
says Tom. At the end of the day, the room was photographed professionally since exposure as a designer is key as well.
"This way, my students learn to market their business and work. A floral design is temporary, as a picture is forever."
A full day they spent gathering leaves from the castle’s gardens, sawing, screwing, and sticking until the décor was finally finished after ten straight hours of labor. About 800 beautiful pink-brown roses were being plugged in between autumn leaves.
A very realistic approach to designing was shown to the students as improvising and last-minute action is a must-have skill in the industry. Every designer will be confronted with unforeseen circumstances at least once in their career, where the true design skills and personality of a designer are being put to the test.
"It’s definitely not standard to have a lot of preparation time where you can analyze the location, to measure all you need and think everything through in advance,"
according to Tom. But he strongly emphasizes that when concerns large-scale-event-design, you should always be as prepared as possible, and ready for improvisation if necessary. The first takes dispelling the other practice. The students and Tom experienced the pressure of the deadline, the collection of other decoration materials and flowers at the wholesaler, the improvisation, stress management, and effective teamwork.
The going-in experience part is another essential component of the masterclass. It allows students to feel and analyze what the specific circumstances are doing with them and how they react. What works for them and what does not work for them? Bringing that real-life experiences will evoke the awareness needed to grow as a creative.
"I did the design of the table and wall decoration myself on the spot, which I usually don’t do. I thought it would be educational for my students to see how this works from my side, see the techniques, and so on. The bridal bouquets were designed by two students, Ekaterina and Keith."
Because of the beautiful - but hard-to-define - color of the brand-new roses, it was challenging to describe them as brown or pink.
"I really love colors that are on the edge of another color. It makes them interesting to combine. The roses are perfect for an autumn wedding, just like this arrangement with matching colors of the castle walls and doors."
But of course, they are ideal for broader usage. The roses were well developed, and both Decofresh made sure they were delivered already a bit opened up. The fine quality of the roses was shown by the longevity of the freshness after being opened up, both by being put in water or foam. Definitely, a plus budget-wise, since a high-quality rose stays fresh very long and takes more space as they open in a beautiful way.
Here’s everything you need to know about edible flowers from Thursd.!
Today, many restaurant chefs and innovative home cooks garnish their entrees with flower blossoms for a touch of elegance.
By: THURSD. | 04-01-2023 | 4 min read
Cooking with edible flowers is back. Not that it ever really went away, because fast forward to almost two thousand years ago and you'll find yourself in the blossom-loving reigns of Julius Caesar, Queen Victoria, and the flower-power days of the '60s where blooms were already a gastronomic delight.
Today, many restaurant chefs and innovative home cooks garnish their entrees with flower blossoms for a touch of elegance. The secret to success when using edible flowers is to keep the dish simple, do not add too many other flavors that will overpower the delicate taste of the flower. Here are some of the best edible flowers to use in your next dish.
If you remember this plant from your childhood, you already know it holds sugary nectar. The blossom also has a sweet taste and achieves a honey flavor without any beehives. Make sure you avoid the berries because they are poisonous. Turn these flowers into a sorbet or jelly by soaking or boiling the blooms to bring out the flavor. You can also infuse the flavoring in cupcakes, then top them with pale yellow flowers as a garnish.
These beautiful blue, star-shaped flowers from the borage plant taste a bit like cucumber, which is why they've been used in salads since The Elizabethan Age. They are also delicious in lemonade and refreshing cocktails like Pimm's Cup and gin and tonic.
With a hint of citrus flavor, these mauve buds are a fun ingredient to bake with. The pungent flower has a powerful taste, so use it in limited quantities. The lilac flavor can spruce up your desserts or drinks, as it is often made into a simple syrup. Remove the tiny buds from the hard stalk that serves as their stem to enjoy them as a garnish or as candied flowers.
Known as the "poor man's saffron," the sunset-hued marigold flower really does taste like saffron when it's sautéed in olive oil to release its flavor. An easy and prolific edible flower that's easy to grow from seed right in the garden. Separate the petals from the center of the flower and sprinkle the petals into salads.
Both tart and sweet, hibiscus petals have a cranberry-like flavor that makes them perfect for teas and cocktails. Drop fresh hibiscus buds into glasses of bubbly and let your guests watch them bloom before their eyes.
Perfect for a romantic gesture, these aromatic flowers can also complement your cuisine. The petals come in many colors, from a bright pink to a deep scarlet, and they also enhance many foods and drinks like jams, salads, tea, and desserts. Their soft but fruity flavor is a welcome treat, with a strawberry or spicy aftertaste depending on the type. You can eat any kind of rose, but the deeper- and darker-hued ones have a stronger flavoring that’s better to cook with.
Blossoms have a peppery flavor like watercress. All colors and varieties are tasty in salads or as garnishes. Leaves can be eaten, too. Nasturtiums make an appetizing pesto, or they can be stuffed like zucchini blossoms. You can pair this flower with many savory dishes like baked lamb shank or roasted potatoes.
Sweet and slightly perfumed-tasting, lavender works well when the buds are sprinkled in champagne and cocktails and over desserts like chocolate cake. Or try it in a lavender peach crisp served with vanilla ice cream.
Pansies
Pansies have a slightly grassy—even minty—flavor, so they work well in herb-flavored summer cocktails and fruit salads. For a quick, easy, and festive summer hors d'oeuvre, spread some cream cheese on a small round cracker and top it with a whole pansy.
Violets, which come in a range of pastel and vibrant colors, have a sweet and floral taste, making them a perfect companion for everything from salads to iced drinks. They are particularly beautiful when crystallized and used to top frosted cakes and other desserts.
Be sure to avoid flowers that have been sprayed with pesticides or other chemicals. When purchasing edible flowers, make sure to always get them from the produce section of your grocery store or buy them online. When cooking with edible flowers, clean them by gently washing them in a large bowl of cold water and let them air dry afterward on a paper towel. Use immediately or store them in the refrigerator for up to a week in an airtight container lined with a damp paper towel. Bon appetit!
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Thursd. shares all the great Christmas Markets around the world in this fascinating article. Enjoy this quick read!
There's nothing like a snowy Christmas market to get even the grinchiest among us in the Christmas holiday spirit.
By: THURSD. | 15-12-2022 | 5 min read
Get into the holiday spirit by visiting some of the most wonderful, magical, and out-of-this-world Christmas markets. These eight are without a doubt the most beautiful and the best places to go around the globe! Time to get a pen out to write all of these incredible sites to visit during the holidays.
When it comes to getting into the festive spirit, nothing beats a good Christmas market. Parks and plazas around the world fill up with wonderfully adorned kiosks selling seasonal drinks and delicacies like mulled wine and pastries, as well as handmade gifts and tons of beautiful flowers.
Photo: Pinterest
Typically, the markets are open from mid-November through late December or early January, allowing you to shop for gifts or simply enjoy the festive atmosphere with loved ones. Keep on reading to learn about some of the top eight Christmas markets to visit this holiday season. Whichever one you choose, it will be cheerful and bright.
Wiener Christkindlmarkt, the world's largest Christmas market, is famous for its 100+ stalls selling everything from souvenirs to wonderful Viennese specialties like kaiserschmarrn (sweet, fluffy, ripped-up pancakes), glühwein (mulled wine), and bauernkrapfen (donut-shaped fried pastries).
Photo: Meinbezirk
You'll know you've arrived when you see all the lights, stalls, an illuminated skating rink, and a multi-level carousel on Rathausplatz, a major city plaza outside Vienna's city hall. The market is open from mid-November to the day after Christmas and draws millions of tourists each year, so it's well worth a visit.
The thick aroma of mulled wine pervades Strasbourg's Christkindelsmarik, which has been running since 1570 and is one of Europe's oldest Christmas markets. From late November through Christmas Eve, there will be decorations and shimmering lights everywhere you turn, making you feel as if you've stepped right into a winter paradise.
Photo: Best Places N Things
Visit the market's decked-out tree in Place Kléber, which is known for its imposing height (typically around a hundred feet), and spend some time shopping at one of the market's more than 300 different stalls, which sell everything from traditional Christmas treats and handmade crafts of all kinds. If you can't make it to the market before Christmas, you can also check out the city's After-Christmas Village starting January 1.
Stroll the cobblestone alleyways, marvel at this year's 51-foot-tall Dior-designed Christmas tree with 70,000 glittering lights, and shop at the Distillery District Winter Village's more than 65 local booths. The annual holiday market, formerly known as the Toronto Christmas Market, runs from November 17 through the end of the year and features tree lighting, live musical performances, and Santa appearances.
Photo: Blog TO
Sip a seasonal cocktail or two at one of the Winter Village's seven bars, then dine at one of the cuisine huts serving cozy, holiday meals. On weekends and during the last few days of the year, tickets are necessary after 4 p.m. and cost $11, but you can enter the market for free at any time.
This Danish Christmas market, housed in Tivoli Gardens, the world's third oldest amusement park, mixes the concept of hygge with a serious dose of seasonal cheer. The park's garden is decked out in festive decorations, featuring over 1,000 illuminated Christmas trees and over 70,000 baubles, as well as lovely wooden cottages.
Photo: Visit Denmark
For those who crave a real Christmas market, the park also has roughly 60 food and gift stalls, many of which sell typical Danish holiday fares such as gingerbread hearts and spherical pancakes. The market is open from late November through New Year's Eve, so there is plenty of time to go.
If you have the opportunity to visit Hong Kong this winter, you should go to WinterFest in the West Kowloon Cultural District. There, you'll find a Christmas Town overlooking the port, all out in holiday lights (including those on a huge Christmas tree and many smaller trees) and offering stunning views of the city skyline.
Photo: West Kowloon
Every evening, the Symphony of Lights fills Victoria Harbor, adding to the spectacle. A number of holiday-themed lodges around the Cultural District's East Lawn will be adorned with festive displays that make up the city's Christmas Wonderland. Christmas Wonderland is only open from December 23 to December 27, but Christmas Town is open from November 25 to January 1.
Dresden's Striezelmarkt is Germany's oldest Christmas market, celebrating its 588th year this year. The market, which runs from November 23 to December 24, features a daily schedule of cultural events, including concerts by the local Kreuzchor choir and the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as a gingerbread festival. And don't miss Stollenfest, where hundreds of bakers and aficionados will march in a procession to honor stollen, a Christmas bread packed with candied fruits and dusted with icing sugar.
Photo: My Best Place
Although Belgium has no shortage of Christmas markets, Brussels's Winter Wonders event, which runs from November 25 to January 1 is recognized to be the largest and most impressive in the country. With over 200 chalets to choose from, you can expect to discover everything from Belgian beers, waffles, and glühwein to handcrafted ornaments and trinkets.
Photo: Thrillist
The large market is spread out throughout the city center, giving it plenty of room for an ice skating rink, a Ferris wheel, and a 66-foot Christmas tree draped in over a mile of string lights.
If you want to visit a European-inspired Christmas market in the United States, you'll love Chicago's Christkindlmarket. The German-style markets have everything from food stalls to gift merchants to help you make the most of the holiday season, and there are three in the Chicago region to pick from Daley Plaza, Wrigleyville, and Aurora. To get into the holiday mood, visit one or all three markets — the Chicago and Aurora markets are open from November 18 to December 24, while the Wrigleyville event is open until December 31.
Photo: Secret Chicago
While some may last up until January, other markets are only open until Christmas time. If you live in one of these cities, make sure to treat yourself to the best x-mas markets around the world. You will not be disappointed.
Here’s some great inspiration from Thursd. on decorating for your Holiday parties!
Ready to see the most inspiring Christmas floral decor for 2022? No matter what types of activities and decorations make up your most beloved traditions, there is always room for some stunning and fresh Christmas floral designs.
By: THURSD. | 08-12-2022 | 3 min read
During this time of the year, you will see elaborate Christmas floral decorations of different kinds. It can be in homes, offices, shops, streets, schools, malls, hotel rooms, restaurants; virtually everywhere you go. Christmas floral designs are quite popular with traditional Christmas flowers and plants such as the poinsettia, Christmas cactus, holly, ivy, roses, mistletoe, and others.
Keep reading to see our Christmas flower arrangements ideas, so that you can dress up your home with the Christmas glow.
For many of us, Christmas is a time filled with traditions. From heading out to find the perfect Christmas floral tree to hanging stockings from the mantel or roasting a ham for Christmas Eve dinner. These time-honored traditions help us feel connected to our ancestors, culture, and most importantly, our family and friends.
No matter what types of activities and decor make up your most beloved traditions, there is always room for some stunning and fresh Christmas floral designs. Add any of these holiday decorations to your home and nature brings you right into that holiday wonder and joy.
´Tis the season to trim the tree and deck the halls to set a festive mood for the holidays. While there may not be a ton of fresh-flower options available during the wintertime, there are still some beautiful decoration options for Christmas flowers, including vibrant greenery, berry branches, and colorful wintertime blooms. Decorating your home for the holidays with traditional Christmas flowers and plants doesn't have to be extremely time- or labor-intensive. In fact, the best advice is to choose just one or two areas in your home as focal points and spend your time and energy on making those spots shine.
There is always room for traditional and classic Christmas floral designs, and 2022 is no different. Christmas trees, seasonal wreaths, and beautiful Christmas floral centerpieces; they are all integral parts of the December festivities. You'll see lots of decorations - floral Christmas garlands, baubles, you name it - in classic color schemes, as they continue to be a popular choice.
In 2022, you can expect red and white floral arrangements, always mixed up with the greenery. If you love the more traditional side of Christmas, be sure to bring your decorated tree and some traditional garlands and floral Christmas centerpieces.
If you prefer some more modern Christmas floral arrangements, you just need to add more colors to your decoration palette.
Floral designers often come up with contemporary additions which give the traditional Christmas decoration styles an even more novel, artistic, and beautiful look. Even when they are in that typical holiday color palette. But you will also notice how styles and trends that have been proven popular this year have made their way into Christmas floral designs. Various pastel shades, romantic pink touches, vibrant magenta colors that pop, or going completely 'au natural' - the 2022 floral trends don't end with Christmas.
Here’s some great tips from Thursd. on everything to know about lighting for your indoor plants!
Not all plants require the same amount of light to grow.
By: THURSD | 07-12-2022 | 4 min read
Does your home feel gloomy these past few days? If so, maybe something is missing, and that something could make your home bright and alive. If that’s the case, you might want to consider adding some indoor plants throughout your home. Indoor plants, or houseplants, are among the most popular indoor decorations—for many reasons. They’re beautiful, attract positive vibes, add a touch of softness and stillness, and provide a natural look that makes a home feel homier. However, you want to guarantee that your houseplants are thriving and full of life. In this case, it’s important to focus on one of the most important factors for growing plants: lighting.
Light is essential for the growth and development of your plants. If you want them to grow beautifully and healthily, you need to make sure that their light requirements are met. Otherwise, they’ll be an easy target for pests, insects, and other diseases. But how would you know where your plants can receive an optimum amount of light or whether they need special lighting? This post may help. Below is a simple guide discussing everything indoor plant lighting. Read on to learn more.
The first thing you need to know is to find out what type of light is best for your plants. Should you choose indirect over direct sunlight or vice versa? But first, what’s the difference between these two types of sunlight exposure?
Indirect Sunlight
Indirect sunlight occurs when there’s an object that limits the amount of sunlight penetrating through your windows, such as window blinds. These objects diffuse and filter the sunlight before it reaches your plants. Other objects that may reduce sunlight exposure include furniture, trees, or other indoor plant that thrives in direct sunlight.
Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight refers to the light that reaches the plant without any object to filter or diffuse it. It’s the easiest way to expose your houseplants to natural light. All you need to do is put your plants near a window to receive bright, unfiltered light. If you don’t have access to direct sunlight, create your own by using grow lights.
There are three standard levels of light you can choose from: low, medium, and high. The right level of light would depend on the type of plant you wish to grow. Some may require intense light to grow and develop, others only need half of it, and the rest may need no light at all.
Low Light
Low light levels are ideal for plants that can thrive without being exposed to sunlight or artificial light. These houseplants prefer rooms with a few windows where shades are often closed (e.g., reading rooms and bathrooms). Some examples of low-light indoor plants include peace lilies, ferns, snake plants, African violets, and Chinese evergreens.
Medium Light
Medium light levels are ideal for houseplants that prefer indirect light or sunlight. You can place these plants in rooms covered with curtains, blinds, awnings, or trees.
Additionally, you can place them at the back of your furniture or another houseplant that requires direct sunlight. Some examples of medium-light indoor plants include monstera, alocasia, calathea, anthurium, and pothos.
High Light
High light levels are ideal for houseplants that require direct sunlight or artificial light exposure to fully grow and develop. High-light plants include orchids, jade, fiddle leaf fig, sweet basil, geranium, and money tree. Nonetheless, be sure to check your plants, especially during the summer when temperatures are higher than usual and plant sunburns are common.
You can choose from the four most common artificial light sources for indoor plants: incandescent, fluorescent, and light-emitting diodes (LED).
Incandescent Light
Incandescent lights aren’t a good artificial light source for indoor plants. And they emit intense heat, requiring the plants to stay away from them and further reducing the amount of light they need to receive. Lastly, they don’t convert electrical energy to light energy efficiently.
Fluorescent Light
Fluorescent lights are one of the best artificial light sources for indoor plants. They’re efficient in converting energy and much less expensive than incandescent lights. Plus, they don’t produce a lot of heat, allowing plants to receive as much light as needed.
LEDs
Light-emitting diodes are the most energy-efficient artificial light source today. Not just that, they’re also long-lived—they can last up to six years of non-stop use. Nevertheless, they’re more expensive compared to other types mentioned earlier.
Indoor plants can make your home great, lively, and relaxing. Yet be mindful of their light requirements. That’s because not all plants require the same amount of light to grow. Some may thrive in low light, while others grow in medium and high light. All you need to do is identify the plant you want to grow and the optimum amount of light they need.
Everything to know about amaryllis from Thursd. Come check out what we have in store for the Holiday season!
Amaryllis are ringing the Christmas bells and has been revealed as one of the favorite flowering plants to have around! Here's everything to know about it.
By: THURSD. | 07-12-2022 | 5 min read
All you need for the Christmas holidays is the presence of colorful amaryllis flowering plants. Here is everything you need to know about the spectacular flowering plant that'll invade the homes of many for the holidays.
The aesthetics of winter can make you long for the summer months with its mounds of soiled snow and barren trees. However, you can have a tiny piece of spring sprouting on your windowsill if you plant an amaryllis bulb or put some of the tall cut hippeastrum in your longest vase!
The floral plant amaryllis (botanical: hippeastrum) emerges from a bulb. Each bulb develops one to three stems, each bearing four to eight star-shaped funnel blooms that can be white, red, or pink. Later, the flower stems will be joined by long, broad green leaves. Amaryllis typically bloom in January, so planting amaryllises is a great way to spruce up your home during the chilly months and begin the year with a cheerful heart. Plus, if you follow the following care steps, you will be able to recycle the same plant year after year and enjoy its blooms every winter.
Despite the fact that the bulbs can bloom at other times of the year, many people grow amaryllis to produce houseplants that bloom in the winter. Typically, amaryllis flowers are hybrids of different kinds of tropical plants from Central and South America's Hippeastrum genus. A true Amaryllis genus exists as well, although it only has two species that are indigenous to South Africa. However, these are not the amaryllis plants that are typically grown in the United States.
The way you care for amaryllis can vary, depending on whether you're growing it indoors or outdoors and when you want it to bloom. After your amaryllis has bloomed, cut back the flower stalk but allow the foliage to continue growing. Water your amaryllis whenever the top 2 inches of soil become dry. And feed it with a half-strength water-soluble fertilizer every two to three weeks.
Important: stop feeding in August, and bring your plant back indoors. Its foliage will be depreciating, but the plant still should never be exposed to frost. You can cut back any fully depreciated amaryllis leaves.
There are a few things you should do once your plant blooms to take care of it and keep it blooming year after year.
Trimming the stem should be done after the flower buds have opened, flowered, and faded. Cut the stalk with a sharp knife so that it is about 6 inches above the bulb. Make sure the leaves remain attached. They will keep expanding, and you need them for photosynthesis to feed your plant.
Move your amaryllis, still in the pot, outside where it will be exposed to filtered sunshine as the weather begins to warm up.
Water your flower regularly until September.
Bring your amaryllis pot indoors, remove all the leaves, and store it somewhere dark, cool (but not cold), and dry where it can go dormant for a while.
Bring your pot into the light and water it in December.
To restart the process, keep the soil moist and put it in a window with sunlight!
Remember to occasionally turn the pot as described above.
If you're more of an outdoor plant lover, this is for you. Amaryllis's care outdoors is possible in warmer zones. The bulbs can be grown in healthy, well-drained soil by planting them anytime the soil reaches 20 degrees Celsius or higher. Being a tropical plant, amaryllis prefers warm climates. Although it will thrive in situations ranging from full sun to partial shade, bright shade is the ideal setting for it outside.
Many festive varieties of amaryllis are available, some with stories that can be associated with Christmas themes. Greek lore tells of a shy maiden named Amaryllis who fell in love with Alteo, a shepherd endowed with the strength of Hercules and the beauty of Apollo himself. Her affections unrequited, Amaryllis sought to consult with the oracle of Delphi.
In following the oracle’s advice, Amaryllis would dress in maiden’s white and wait outside Alteo’s door for thirty nights, piercing her lovelorn heart with a golden arrow each night. Alteo fell in love with the maiden when he discovered her, surrounded by beautiful amaryllis flowers, on his doorstep.
There’s a reason flowers make such cherished and valued gifts. Their distinct meanings, flower symbology, history, the intriguing, often fantastical lore associated with them, in addition to their obvious visual appeal- there are, in fact, plenty of reasons flowers have always been deemed singular, and special. Amaryllis, one of the world's modern favorites in flowering plants has one of the most fascinating symbolism associated with it.
In Victorian times, amaryllis came to symbolize strength and determination, due to its tall height and sturdiness. Amaryllis plants are also the living symbol of love, determination, and ethereal beauty, and an ideal gift for those you love and care for. So the next time you're looking for gifts to show your love, consider giving some amaryllis flower gifts to show your real love.
Over the last several years, amaryllis has become increasingly popular Christmas plants, due to their willingness to bloom indoors in winter and their bright, colorful flowers. Today, they’re a fashionable alternative to poinsettias or even Christmas cacti! In many households, Amaryllis is a new holiday staple. What color are you choosing this year to make your house look more festive and full of life?
One thing's for sure, amaryllis is here to stay not only for X-Mas but throughout fall, winter and spring keeping you the most colorful company of all!