Landscape Design and Construction By Charlee Storner
All photos courtesy of Ambius Plantings as Living Art Permanent botanicals with live plants drive interior plantscaping trend A
s a botanical stylist, I work in partnership with leading design and architect firms designing retail, hospitality and corporate interiors for many leading
businesses. Live plants improve air quality, minimize dust, and help maintain optimal hu- midity. They are installed in buildings because they look beautiful, and help to provide a tranquil environment in which to work or relax. A naturalistic trend — mixing perma- nent botanicals which are botanically accurate replica plants made with authentic, dried stems and flowers from natural plant materials or with silk and plastics alongside live plants — is taking root across workplaces. Perma- nent botanicals do not attract insects, don't re- quire pesticides and create an allergy-free environment. This season, the top interior plantscaping
trend features integrated plantings that artfully combine live plants with permanent botani- cals. Live plants integrated with faux plants offer a creative way to blend artistry, color and style. Integrating live and faux foliage can de- liver a look as fresh and alive as it appears in the natural world. My top five permanent botanical picks
that are picking up steam in the integrated plantings world include: 1) Yarrow— According to legend, yarrow
(Achillea millefolium) was named after Achilles, the Greek mythical figure who used it to stop the bleeding wounds of his soldiers. Today, the yarrow herb is valued for its ability to fight off colds and flu. Plantscaping veterans look to yarrow to complement live plantings in lively arrangements. 2) Moss balls — Preserved moss balls made of real or artificial moss can add sub-
Yarrow ball
Moss ball
Interior plantscaping is more than just putting a beautiful plant or tree in a space. Poor plant placement can be wasteful and costly.
8 Landscape and Irrigation November/December 2011 www.landscapeirrigation.com
