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Showing posts with the label succulents

Succulent Plant Care

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Succulent Care  Succulents are fleshy plants, adapted for storing water in times of drought. We carry them at the shop and they make great gifts because of their beautiful presentation and easy maintenance.  They have been very popular for a while, so I thought I would share some care tips. Most succulents like bright indirect light, but not all can tolerate full sun for lengthy periods of time.  During the growing season from Spring to Fall water once a week, making sure the soil is soaked though and then left to drain. During the winter, watering can be adjusted to every other week unless plant is near heat source, use your judgment. Rain water or distilled is preferable to tap, as tap water can be very alkaline. If re potting use soil that has very good drainage.            We carry a "Zen Succulent Garden"  that is the perfect gift for home or office. That's all for today!  :)

Staff Favorites: Jeff and George

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Today we are highlighting more MMF staff favorites. This time from Jeff  and George ! Jeff has been with MMF for over 6 years, as our highly talented in-house graphic designer and a driver and event's setup person.  Jeff's first choice was a lady slipper orchid. Orchids are easy to care for, will re-bloom throughout the year and a gift that gives long lasting beauty.  Jeff must really like plants! His second choice was a succulent and he said he especially is captivated by the succulent's flowers that appear after a few months of proper care. We offer a chic and modern succulent garden that would make the perfect gift for a man or woman, Apparently everyone loves stuffed animals , including this adorable owl that is a new item in the shop. Be sure to give us a call if you are interested in one of these more unique plush friends, what is displayed on the website is only a small selection. Our driver George also gravitated tow

Pretty in Pink

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Pink and white wedding flowers never seem to go out of style and this yea r has been no exception. This past weekend had us arranging using white, blush, pink and soft green tones for a late summer wedding. So pretty. The bouquet below belonged to the bride and included waxflower, white stock, roses in both petal pink and ivory, soft beige spray roses, white freesia and the most adorable succulent plants. Loose and airy, this bouquet was perfect for a church wedding.  Moving on the the reception, we kept to the bride and groom's budget by giving a big feel with low cost by creating centerpieces with silver toned curly willow and petal pink hydrangeas. Add in some soft up lighting the Hamilton Manor was transformed to a another world.  Would you consider pink for your wedding? 

Bring in the Plants to Freshen the Air - By Customer Care Coordinator Alanna

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During the heat of the summer months we tend to shut the windows and turn up the A/C. Being cooped up inside with low air quality can cause headaches, asthma and allergies. Indoor plants are a healthy and natural way to filter the air. They help create oxygen and reduce airborne toxins, such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene.  These toxins can be found in (but are not limited to) wallpapers, paints, plywood paneling, glues, furniture waxes and polishes, carpet cleaners, gasoline, plastics, detergents and fabric softeners. NASA did a study a few years on ways to reduces toxins in the air. They compiled a list of everyday plants that help purify the air you breath in your home or office.  Some of the top winners are: Peace Lily ( Spathiphyllum) Red-Edged Dracaena (Dracaena Marginata) Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata) Chinese Evergreen (Algaonema Crispum) What is a Dish Garden? That's simple, the term simply means multiple plant

Succulent Plants ~ a guest blog by Customer Care Coordinator Alanna

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Succulent Plants ~ what are they and how do you care for them by Alanna  Drzyzga Summer is approaching which makes me think about succulent plants. When they became popular last year we even held a terrarium making class featuring these easy to care for plants!  The plants that seem to be growing in popularity around the shop seem to be succulents; mostly because they are unique and virtually indestructible. We've blogged about them before and I’ll do it again. Hopefully this time with a little more insight. Succulents are categorized as any plant with a unique water storage organ. They store ingest water through their leaves, stems and roots. No matter what variety of succulents you are growing, including cacti, the general rules remain the same. Light : Succulents do enjoy the sun and being outdoors, especially this time of year. The leaves will tell you what you need to know about the amount of light the plant is getting. If the plant is getting too much sun, it can

Fresh Spring Wedding Bouquet

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Natural and rustic is the theme of this bouquet for our Bride Alaina for her wedding at the Lambertville Inn. Locally grown lilacs, fever few daisies, succulents, blue thistle, silvery brunia and lime green buplerium make for a very textured, fresh picked bouquet.  Formal satin ribbon would not have gone with this bouquet so the stems were wrapped in a natural twine keeping with the sophisticated rustic theme of the bouquet.  Love the mini succulents we added to the bouquet, don't you? To see this and more of our wedding design be sure to check out our wedding website ! 

Air Plants and Terrariums - for the home and office

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Doesn't it feel good to have natural , organic elements in your home and office? I truly think you feel better when you are surrounded by nature and air plants are a great addition to any setting. Are you away a lot? Do you have limited space to dedicate to plants? If so, air plants might be perfect for you. We've had fun stocking them in the store and folks are loving them. Take this mini hanging terrarium. For only $14.95 this plant is perfect for home or office. Hang in the window, over a sink or attach to a window with a suction cup. Air plants do need water but not often and no soil needed (hence the air plant name).  If you have a little more room to dedicate, why not have us make you a larger terrarium with multiple air plants ? Clear gems, natural river stones, moss, sand - the design options are limitless!    We love these little sphere terrarium plant bowls. Add some colored sand and hit with a touch of water once a week and you are good to go! They work w

Going Green With Succulents

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Here at the shop we are enjoying the succulent craze! In addition to using them in our every day floral arrangements and wedding designs, we sell plants here in the store. Folks love them because they are super cute and easy to care for. What better time than January and February to bring a bit of living art into your home or office right?   Last week our shipment of new terrarium glassware arrived and we were quick to make a few gardens with them. For this one I kept the succulent plant in it's own but and then added some loose stones. The lid helps create it's own little environment making watering a very rare thing! I also added a touch of burlap ribbon and raffia for a rustic feel. Tomorrow we have a new shipment of plants arriving. Why not pick out your own plants and container and let us put it together for you. With the winter cold outside, it's the perfect time to bring a little nature inside! 

Our Next Class - Terrarium Building Take 2

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We had so much fun with our first Terrarium Making Class that we have scheduled a second one for  September 12 - from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at our Princeton Store in Forrestal Village. What's it all about? Well you get to mingle with fun folks, drink wine, eat delicious local cheese from Tre Piani Restaurant and then make your very own Terrarium to bring home. With lots of elements to choose from you get to customize it to your home colors and decor. At a cost of $75, you'll agree, it's a great deal for a night of fun. Ask customer Martha (above)  who not only had a blast but made new friends (apparently her and Jean were having lunch the following week). Past Mother of the Groom Jacquie (behind Martha) brought her friend and they seemed to enjoy themselves! Many of this months participant signed up for our Wreath making class to be held on October 3 here at the Princeton store. The Terrarium class only has 12 spaces so reserve your spot early. The wreath making cla

Need a Healthy Gift? How about a terrarium

LinkedTube Green plants not only make great gifts but they make healthy gifts. Shop Coordinator Sheryl shows off one of our many styles of Terrariums here in the store. To see this and many other plants we offer, check out our website at www.sendingsmiles.com

Echeveria Plants

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Have you ever wondered about those cool Echeveria Plants you are seeing all over these days? We love designing with these little guys. Sometimes we use them as a "cut" flower like this one which is left to float on a sea of polished river stones while other times we buy them as an actual plant that is still in soil. They are such a great addition to any floral arrangement or a bridal bouquet. Natural and long lasting, these tiny drought resistance plants come in all different sizes and shapes and some even have slight color variations like this one that has pink tips. In the cactus family, they don't need much water so they make an ideal compliment for your desk at work or coffee table at home. It feels wonderful to have fresh, living things in our environment so why not these adorable little succulent plants! To see these and other natural product we have for sale in the shop, why not visit our website at www.sendingsmiles.com or our facebook page at www.facebook.c