Terrariums Bring New Life to Glass Containers
Yes we’re talking about the miniature gardens grown in
fish aquariums in the ’70s – Terrariums. Florists are best positioned
to capture this trend with the huge variety of glass containers on your
shelves or readily available from your wholesalers.
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“Bye bye, boring bouquets. Add new life to your room with leafy gardens and
creative landscapes in interesting tabletop containers.”
—Martha Stewart’s Blueprint Magazine, Fall issue
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A true terrarium can be a little labour intensive but will provide lots of value for your “naturalist” customer who is looking forward to owning their own rainforest. A terrarium must be built in a container that has a lid, but you could also stand your container on its head over a saucer to create the enclosed garden.
For the less “green” customer a simple open-topped container can create a serene, sculpted gardenscape. Any clear glass vase or bowl can be used along with some interesting plant choices, a little sand and/or pebbles, and – voila! – a garden in a dish.
If you leave the plants in their cell packs and hide them under the fillers the arrangement could easily bring your customer joy for months or years. For someone who just wants the appearance of a terrarium, a simple floral arrangement mimicking the real thing will do.
Creating Terrariums
From your shelves, choose a wide-mouthed bowl or vase with high sides for easy access when positioning the plants. To create a desert theme, place slow-growing succulents with shallow roots, such as echeveria shaviana, aeonium arboretum or jades, still potted, in the middle of the glass container and surround them with coloured sand that complements and sets off the plants. Tiny glass beads or crushed terracotta tile could be used as an alternative. Give the landscape that windswept look, with highs and lows, making sure the pots are not visible through the sides of the container.
To achieve a watery environment, choose semi-aquatic plants, such as dwarf varieties of the umbrella palm, bamboo, variegated sweet flag or papyrus. Aquarium gravel, blue or aqua glass nuggets, acrylic sea glass, marbles and beach glass can camouflage the pots and create the illusion of water.
For a true terrarium, place aquarium charcoal in the middle of the glass container with a lid, and cover it with a couple of inches of soil. Plant any combination of chives, begonias, ivy, small spider plants and ferns in the soil and surround them with beads, polished stones, or coloured gravel.
Care & Handling
The sale of a terrarium should include a set of maintenance instructions. To keep from disturbing the landscape, watering should be done by misting or using a turkey baster. A large syringe is even better for close monitoring of water consumption. Include pruning instructions to prevent rapid growth. Cleaning instructions should stipulate that window cleaners can damage the plants, so a moistened lint-free cloth is recommended. With proper care, the client could have a beautiful living landscape for years to come.
Selling Terrariums
Why sell terrariums? For starters, they represent an opportunity to extend your product line without necessarily investing in additional supplies. Terrariums also offer an opportunity to regain a share of the plant sales market. And, your terrarium designs represent a value-added component that you won’t find at the big chain stores. Well-designed terrarium-scapes would make great gifts for Administrative Professionals Week, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
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