Servest Office Plants

The impact of tired office plants

noreply@blogger.com (Tarnia Roots SA) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0000

It is commonly accepted that the greening of office interiors has many positive spin-offs for companies. Plants offer physical health benefits as well as emotional and mental health benefits, so it is in the office’s best interests to keep their plants healthy too.

Even though office plant services endeavour to place robust vegetation in buildings, plants can begin to look tired. Just like office employees, if they are not treated in the correct manner they will take strain and signs of stress will become evident with dead leaves, dull colouring and an overall drooped appearance.

In the same way that sitting on a grubby couch makes one feel uncomfortable, being surrounded by plants that look on the verge of collapsing is also highly uninspiring. If the principle of having luscious healthy plants is to promote well being, then the plants best set a good example. Likewise, if the plant is looking ill it is quite likely that it is not adequately performing its roll in providing health benefits either.

Using a professional office plants service ensures that plants do not ever reach such a dire state within your office walls. Servest Office Plant technicians are specifically trained to promote plant health, and as such are very conscious of their particular needs.

Light, temperature, water, humidity, fertilizer, containers and soil mixes are major factors that effect how well plants survive within office environments; all of which require expertise and substantial time to manage.

The most common problem associated with plant exhaustion is lack of consistency across the whole scope of plant care. Coupled with a lack of expertise, or even a simple shortfall of caring, many office plants have suffered under the hands of slap dash plant services. The most typical issues with plant health include:

- Plants not being watered often enough
- Exposure to inappropriate humidity levels
- Amateur pruning
- Lack of fertilizer application
- Forgetting to rotate plants in light sources to create even growth
- Irregular plant maintenance scheduling

Expert plant technicians are able to see much earlier signs of ill health than a standard office employee, which is why it is crucial to make sure that servicing occurs regularly. Large gaps between office visits allow plants to degrade past the point of resuscitation, when they could have easily been given the ‘two panados’ treatment with a simple change in their regular maintenance routine. Additionally, poor planning is a waste of time, plants and financial resources.

At Servest Office Plants we understand that tired looking plants have far reaching effects on office psyche. As such, we pride ourselves on outstanding plant maintenance and follow up services keeping your plants perky, and your employees calm and happy.

The Art of Giving

noreply@blogger.com (Tarnia Roots SA) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Humans by nature are giving beings. We like to show our appreciation for people’s efforts by saying thank you, and quite often we like to back up our words with gifts. However, in the corporate realm it can be a little challenging to come up with gift ideas that are appropriate for clients, staff or work acquaintances.

Servest Office Plants’ Alternatives Division offers a corporate gift service that makes the art of giving suitable gifts a breeze for everyone. With a full range of plants, Bonsais, cut flowers and hampers; we have a number of gift ideas that will be fully appreciated by any person on the receiving end.

Our plant professionals are well versed in corporate gift decisions, and with a brief consultation, are able to help clients make appropriate choices. Whether it’s the boss’s birthday, a staff member’s baby shower, or perhaps an employee in need of thanks after working extra long hours; we’re happy to help design a gift that will make any individual feel appreciated.

We offer a wide selection of office appropriate plants in beautiful containers, including Bonsai trees. With both flowering and non-flowering varieties, we cater to feminine and masculine tastes. Bonsais present an air of wisdom and care; and to be given one is suggestive of these values within the receiver. Additionally, a well-maintained Bonsai suits the professionalism of any board room or corporate environment.

Cut flowers allow colour and personality into office buildings, and are always a welcome addition to one’s work space. Available in glass and ceramic vases and bowls, as well as woven baskets; cut flowers look exceptionally attractive and have a great mood enhancing effect. When purchasing an especially attractive vase or bowl, the person receiving the gift is left with something permanent to remember the gesture by and these can of course be used again.

When hosting corporate do’s, we are able to supply table arrangements designed specifically to suit the nature of the event. Whether it is simple single long-stemmed flowers in modern glass flutes or ornately arranged centrepieces, using Servest’s professional florists and plantscapers will make for a beautifully styled occasion.

If plants are not the required type of gift, say for a very festive event or for someone who has many plants already; Servest’s corporate gift service offer a large assortment of hampers. Fresh fruit, wine and biltong, boutique chocolate and sweets; we have combinations to cater for any occasion and can create hampers specific to client requests.

At Servest Office Plants’ Alternatives Division we understand that giving appropriate corporate gifts is challenging and time consuming. Through doing what we love, it’s our pleasure to make the art of giving effortlessly attainable for our clients; allowing the gesture to be fully appreciated by those who receive the gifts.

Different Clients, Different Needs, Different Solutions

noreply@blogger.com (Tarnia Roots SA) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 07:00:00 +0000

At Servest Office Plants our job involves orchestrating the interactions of three main elements: plants, buildings and people. By the very nature of being in the service industry, we deal with a huge variety of clients and their associated office buildings, and it is this diversity that provides scope to be creative in our work. Essentially, our range of clients is a large part of what makes our work so enjoyable.

Every building we deal with is unique, and consequently every potential job is an equally unique case study. Buildings vary in size and shape, can be north or south facing, have poor or strong natural light, offer great ventilation vs. minimal air flow; and all of these factors affect plant health. While our clients may see the office purely as a place of work, we see it as a potential new home for our plants.

To start off each case study we analyse the ambient environment, daytime and night time temperatures, lighting and humidity of the office building. This allows us to make educated recommendations regarding plants and containers, selections of which are chosen through the client’s budget and specific tastes.
With over 60 types of indoor plants, and an extensive range of containers, clients have dozens of options to pair with the style and décor of their buildings.

After selections have been made, the next step is installation. This may seem pretty self explanatory, a few people placing plants in pretty containers around the office? Not a chance! This is where Servest’s experienced plantscapers step in, and with client consultation a detailed design plan is laid out prior to the relocation of even a single leaf. A careful balance needs to be achieved where plants are filling their intended niche, but are also placed where they can best thrive in the office environment.

Post installation, our professional, enthusiastic and informative horticultural technicians visit customer offices every two weeks. Their job is multi-faceted, and includes watering, fertilising, cleaning and trimming your plants.

Additionally, our Client Service Managers pay frequent visits to make sure our plantscaping service is 100% up to scratch. With customer satisfaction being our top priority, Client Services Managers are always available should the need for any kind of discussion arise. We stand firm by our policy of immediately replacing any plant that shows signs of deterioration, at no extra cost to the client. This applies to both rentals and permanent installations.

At Servest Office Plants we understand that every client is different, with a unique set of plantscaping needs relevant to their office building and corporate identity. Using our service ensures that your needs are met without compromise and with outstanding attention to detail.

Our five favourite office plants

noreply@blogger.com (Tarnia Roots SA) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Although we’re a fan of office plants in general and work with over 60 types of plants and trees, when it all comes down to it we have a few that are our ‘go to guys’ in terms of their ability to thrive in office environments as well as being rather easy on the eye.

Starting with the family Dracaena, there are three varieties that have proved incredibly successful in office environments. They are known for their air cleansing properties, in particular for removing formaldehyde from ambient surroundings and are perfectly happy in low and medium light environments.

Dracaena massangeana, otherwise known as the Corn Plant, has wide leaves that curve from a thick, durable stalk and are native to most of tropical Africa. They come across as sturdy yet elegant, and are very attractive with bright yellow streaks through leaf centres. When pruned to grow tall, they present long sections of stem with healthy, thick rosettes of leaves making them a great choice for floor containers.

Dracaena reflexa is a smaller, bushier plant, native to the islands of the Indian Ocean. Evergreen and suggestive of rich soils and fertility, these plants bring a tangible sense of life to any office room. The most popular Reflexa is commonly known as The Song of India, and sports beautiful off-white variegations which contrast starkly with the deep dark green.

The last of the Dracaena that we tend to favour is Dracaena marginata, otherwise known as the Madagascar Dragon Tree or Red Edged Dracaena. Growing up to 15ft in height, these plants are highly suitable for impactful visual plantscaping. With long, slender canes and vermillion edged leaves, it is also possible to train Dracaena marginata to grow in certain curves and shapes for very interesting sculptural effects.

A small tree that gets our official nod is Ficus benjamina, otherwise known as the Weeping Fig or Benjamin’s Fig. Native to south-east Asia and Australia, Ficus benjamina is a very handsome tree with glossy dark leaves and a silky grey trunk. When it is moved into different strengths of light it sheds foliage, which is what makes it adaptable to new office environments. The lower tier drops leaves, while the upper tier rapidly produces new growth that can better utilise the new available light. This shedding exposes its silvery smooth trunk, an attractive stand alone feature particularly when the trees have ornamental twisted trunks.

Lastly, we highly recommend Sansevieria, or Mother-in-law’s Tongue, which comes from tropical West Africa. Aside from the fantastic name, these plants have chunky blade-like leaves that point straight up with confidence making for an excellent centre piece. Available in subtle green with dark stripes, or with cream edgings and variegations, Sansevieria are a noticeable plant and even when grown to a large size they don’t impede on corridor space.

While we do have our favourites in terms of the balance between aesthetics and office suitability, at Servest Office Plants we utilise a vast range of plants and trees to successfully service any business profile.

Interior Plants for special events

noreply@blogger.com (Tarnia Roots SA) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 08:02:00 +0000

Flowers and plants have formed the basis of special events decorating for thousands of years. In fact the earliest record of formal decorative flower use goes back to 2500 BCE and the creative thinking of the ancient Egyptians! Forever a timeless classic, interior plants are appropriate decorations for any occasion.

During the year, the office calendar inevitably becomes packed with events that range from strictly business such as conferences and workshops; to formal and casual social events. Think of a company awards ceremony, the Christmas party, the 20th anniversary of being in business, farewells and retirements.
They all require specific types of decoration, and Servest Office Plants have a specialised, and rather beautiful, solution for all such events.

We offer a wide selection of plants and trees in contemporary containers for individual event hire. These range from large bold containers boasting the proudest of plants to dainty oriental-style bonsais that make for stunning table centre pieces. With years of experience in beautifying corporate environments for events, a consultation with our green-fingered plantscapers will bring your special occasion to life.

Hiring plants for events also has many benefits, particularly financially. Renting plants works out to be far more cost effective than purchasing decorations and plant materials that are only going to be used once. Moreover, Servest Office Plants take full charge with delivery and creative installation, saving the event organiser precious time and energy. This also means that plants are perfectly arranged to look fresh and impactful throughout the event.

Additionally, using Servest Office Plants means that clients are guaranteed the highest standard of plant material. We are militant about never re-using office plants in event environments, as we know that plants take strain and appear ‘worn-out’ if they are moved and used over and over. Just like works of art, plants need to be kept in conditions that are consistent and treated with care; the life of an event-plant is harsher than that of a regular office plant and we respect that.

At Servest Office Plants we also grow 65% of our plants and trees, and have acclimatisation greenhouses where we can monitor how our plants develop. This further ensures that our clients receive top-quality rental plants for all their events, whether its a hundred large plants to decorate an entire convention centre or a dozen fine aloe-filled bowls for an intimate staff celebration.

Using Servest Office Plants for creative transformation of corporate spaces guarantees a beautifully decorated event. Plant rental is a practical, cost-effective, stress free option; something that our plantscapers are expert in providing.

Indoor Plants for any Office

noreply@blogger.com (Tarnia Roots SA) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 09:02:00 +0000

Although offices in general are corporate spaces, they come in many different shapes and sizes. Each office building has a different feeling, and each room within the building is made unique by people, personalities, interior decorating and of course plants.

Some offices tend to steer towards a very clean, straight down-the-line look and do not want plants to prove distracting. Moreover they may be purely interested in the health benefits of the plants rather than the aesthetics. For a simple solution, choosing something like a Kentia Palm or a Boston Fern are good options, with uncomplicated plant foliage and a single shade of green.

If an office is after something a little more interesting, Syngonium is an understated plant, with delicate heart shaped green and white leaves. While they can still be unobtrusive, they are certainly not dull.
Other plants that offer this middle-of-the road approach are the Song of India, Dieffenbachia and the Peace Lily which of course grows beautiful white blooms. If you are looking for something with colour that does not bloom, Croton is a firm favourite with their broad leaves that blaze in yellows, greens, reds and pinks.

Many offices also like to use plants that reaffirm their corporate identity. So a law firm, for example, may go for something strong and independent like an aloe or a cactus. Aloes with their minimalistic spiny triangular leaves are available in a variety of sizes to fill floor containers or even desk-top ramekins, but most importantly have a universal edge that appeal to both men and women.

Bamboo is also unusual, and suitable for businesses that want to suggest unique thought, such as an advertising firm. Bamboo can be grown in miniaturised form to grace table-tops, or conversely it can grow from floor to ceiling emphasising architectural features and can add a slightly tropical look.

Plants are also popularly used as primary interior design features, setting off large vivid blooms against stark white rooms. The archetypal beauty of a flower, still growing, can be seen as living art work. Something furiously bright, such as the classic orchid Phalaenopsis, is a brilliant choice for art in plant form. Chrysanthemums are a more organic but equally colourful plant, with ruffled flowers that range from yellow to rust to bright pink, and can thus be handpicked to suit the tastes of any office.

At Servest Office Plants we feel that your selection should be fitting for what you want to achieve with each room, what ambience you want to create and how interactive you aim to be with your plants. We have dozens of options from which our clients can pick, and years of experience in artistic direction to help make choosing from this range an enjoyable activity.

Keeping it local: From the Farm to your Office

noreply@blogger.com (Tarnia Roots SA) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 09:51:00 +0000

“Local is lekker!” An expression usually reserved for promoting South African goods over imported goods, how often do we think of extending this sensible logic to our office greenery? While you’re scanning packaging to make sure your spinach is not from Guatemala, do you know where your office plants really come from?

At Servest Office Plants, we are the proud growers of 65% of the plant material that we supply into your office. In the warm climate of Malelane lies a total of 20 luscious hectares where all our plants are grown, after which they are moved to a 10 hectare acclimatisation facility in Muldersdrift and finally to our regional distribution centres.

Most of the interior plants that we produce are grown from cuttings and live with their roots firmly tucked in the fertile Mpumulanga soil for three to four years. Whilst in the great outdoors they are shaped, then transplanted into containers and acclimatised at our Malelane operation for six to eight months.
They will then spend a further three months being acclimatised in greenhouses in Muldersdrift. By the time they get to your office they are settled, happy and mature. All our interior plants are grown to take care of office needs, such as the popular Dracaena marginata and Chamadorea seifritzii, both of which remove indoor toxins from the air.

Exterior plants and trees, such as the popular Olea Africana aka the African Wild Olive, are planted from seed and mature in grow bags that come in 20 litre, 50 litre ,100 litre and 200 litre sizes.

Aside from the pertinent fact that it is far more expensive to buy imported plants, there are major advantages to growing our own plants and trees. We have intimate knowledge on how our plants have developed and whether they are going to survive long term in an office environment. Only the best plants leave our regional distribution centres, creating a very high standard of customer satisfaction, particularly with our follow-up plant care service.

We grow what we have identified as key commercial species, and have up to 20 interior varieties and 50 exterior varieties of plants to choose from, including indigenous species. Additionally, we have a constant supply of plant material which means our customers are serviced immediately and without delay. In fact, with our multi-farm and distribution centre set-up, we have a stock holding of up to 50 000 plants and 30 000 trees at any one time.

Not forgetting the human element, by having our own farms, we are able to support local economy with permanent staff posts on our farms. At Servest we believe in growing more than just plants, all our staff receive formal training, which develops valuable skills that can lead to important supervisory and management posts.

Servest consistently aims to offer the best office plant service in the country, and having our own growing operation allows a huge stronghold in this regard. We benefit, but most importantly, so do you.

Interior Plantscaping - The Art of Office Plants

noreply@blogger.com (Candice Roots SA) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0000

We love Plantscaping. Plantscaping? Never heard that word before? Don’t worry, it’s not that commonly used outside of the circle of landscaping and interior design, but it is certainly something that gets us at Servest Office Plants very excited!

Plantscaping is used interchangeably with the terms ‘interior landscaping’ and ‘interiorscaping’, but essentially all three of these definitions mean the same thing. Quite literally it is the design, arrangement and care for living plants within a closed environment.

One might think that simply placing indoor plants inside a building and calling it landscaping is a little extreme, but it is actually quite a lot more complicated than that.
The inside of any building is made up of lines, shapes, spaces, angles and depths of field that can be emphasised, detracted from, broken and completely transformed with the structured use of plants and containers. In that way the interior becomes landscaped, the success of which is determined by how well it has been planned and executed.

Commonly, unusual and colourful containers and planters are used to create centre points of focus in otherwise boring or unattractive rooms. The before and after transformations are astounding, and it is immediately evident how much the no-fuss addition of a well thought out design can facelift any space. That said it is little surprise that aside from aesthetics, plants within the office have other major benefits.

Workplace research has proven healthy plants create a tranquil atmosphere that increases worker productivity. If the plant is thriving indoors at the office, we feel as though we are thriving too. Plants also displace ambient noise, provide fresh oxygen within the closed environment (which improves concentration); they reduce dust and improve client perceptions of the office and the business as a whole.

Plantscaping projects can range from single standing containers with large, indigenous succulents to whole flower beds built inside malls or hotels. While these are obviously designed differently for their specific contexts, the key issue of maintaining the health of the plants applies to all scenarios.

Any serious plantscaper would prefer to maintain the indoor plants once they have been installed. If you should select a rental option, the maintenance is included in the price charged. Consistent servicing to monitor plant health and client satisfaction is exceptionally important, as the happiness of the plants will directly affect the happiness of those who work around them. Professional plantscapers are experts on plant health and don’t expect their clients to know the signs of a failing plant, how to prune, keep pests away in an environmentally caring way or be clued up on any other number of horticultural concerns. That’s their job and they love doing it.

Plantscapers are people’s persons, they like to engage with their clients and see themselves as a combination of artists, designers, horticulturalists and therapists! Making use of professional plantscapers like Servest Office Plants to effectively breathe green life into your office premises is one of the most sensible and cost-effective ways to rejuvenate your corporate interior.

The Serious Business of Containers

noreply@blogger.com (Candice Roots SA) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:58:00 +0000

One of the wonderful things about the myriad different businesses and offices out there is the way in which work spaces all manifest uniquely. Even in an office park where buildings can look identical on the outside, their interiors will be completely different from furniture choices to the container in which the office greenery is planted.

Container or ‘planter’ design is a very unusual and creative sect of interior design. In fact it’s very hard to say what is and isn’t trendy in terms of office style planters, as a business is only limited by its budget and how far it’s willing to push the envelope.

For large companies continuity throughout the office building is important, and as such choosing simple and effective designs is first prize.

Containers are also a way of making subtle statements, especially in South Africa where traditional clay pot work has influenced the aesthetics of the more durable cast pots we use today.
At the moment large freestanding square topped pots with angled curves are well-liked in most corporate offices with distinct flair shown in the materials they are made of, from light stone to gleaming stainless steel.

In smaller offices, it is common to invest in dearer pot work as the interior design doesn’t have to extend repetitively throughout dozens of rooms. Rarer materials, ceramics, once-off designs and pots from contemporary artists become centre pieces and show-off points, as opposed to the standard framed painting.

At Servest Office Plants we recognize that the humble container plant is an understated tool for expressing business identity. With that in mind, we offer a dedicated service for large and small business to ‘green’ their offices in just the right way with a wide range of plant containers for purchase or hire depending on your office needs and personality.

The Language of Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (Candice Roots SA) — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:54:00 +0000

The beauty of flowers has always entranced human beings, eliciting all kinds of emotional responses from people. These emotions are often linked to our most basic psychologies surrounding the meaning associated with colours and shapes. During the Victorian era this emotional element was formalized as flowers became a means of communication known as the language of flowers, or floriography, in which various flowers and floral arrangements were used to send coded messages. This allowed people to express feelings which otherwise could not be spoken.

Although many of the intricacies of the language have been lost to time, a lot of the meanings have survived to this day. For instance, red roses still symbolise passionate romance (as any florist will attest to on Valentines Day) daisies signify innocence or purity, and a daffodil represents regard or esteem. According to www.languageofflowers.com, "Today, 'Language of Flowers' brings back the romance, beauty and authenticity of tradition often missing in a fast paced world. Who couldn't use a little more soul calming beautiful flower tradition in their lives to share with friends and loved ones?" And for that matter, work colleagues…
When it comes to using plants or flowers in an office environment, it makes sense to keep in mind the symbolism and meaning of flowers communicated by the language of flowers. For instance, the use of Hyacinths would be inadvisable, as they signify sorrow. Similarly Petunias represent anger and resentment, emotions that all working environments want to avoid.

On the other end of the scale, Chamomile is thought to attract wealth, Irises represent faith and wisdom, and Poinsettias instill a feeling of good cheer. Ivy communicates fidelity, friendship and affection, all sentiments that are important to workplace harmony and success. Chrysanthemums are also used often, and these communicate cheerfulness.

So if you're thinking of brightening up your work environment with some plants or flowers, be sure to keep in mind the language of flowers and ensure you use flowers that communicate positivity and success to all who share your work space. Visit Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_of_flowers) for a full list of plants and their meanings.

Silk Flowers: A Wonderful Alternative

noreply@blogger.com (Candice Roots SA) — Tue, 03 May 2011 14:51:00 +0000

The use of silk flowers as an alternative to fresh flowers is growing in popularity the world over. Nowadays, they look just as realistic as fresh cut flowers, and although most people would prefer real flowers over artificial ones, the advantages do tend to outweigh the disadvantages, especially within a commercial context, such as banks, office blocks, hotels, hospitals, shopping malls and industrial complexes.

One of the main reasons to consider silk flowers is the financial benefit given their longevity when compared to cut-flower arrangements. Another is that silk flowers require no maintenance, never growing and thus needing pruning to ensure they don’t outgrow the space they are utilising or filling. They also don’t need to be watered, resulting in financial benefits as well as environmental benefits in terms of water conservation. Watering also involves the risks of damage to wood or carpeted floors and furniture.

Silk flowers are not susceptible to diseases like real plants, and also will not attract insects nor increase the likelihood of mould or mildew. Further to this, many people suffer form various allergies, many linked to pollen, and silk flowers will automatically reduce this problem as they are hypo-allergenic. Lastly, silk flowers are not susceptible to seasonal changes, and are available in a hundreds of varieties and colours year-round. One of the biggest arguments against silk flowers is that they lack the scent that real flowers have, but these days a variety of perfumes and scents are used in conjunction with silk flowers to make them as life-like as possible.

The synthetic plant industry is now a highly specialised one with several different manufacturing processes. Materials used in their manufacture include painted linen, polyester, paper, nylon, soap, clay, glass, plastic, beads and silk. Silk flowers are the most common, as the silk materials used make the flowers and the entire plant look more realistic and life-like.

At Servest Office Plants, we always assess your space and recommend the best plant options for your needs. Sometimes the light levels in the area you want plants, are not always suitable for real plants, which is when we would recommend the use of silk flowers and plants. Also if you have plant requirements in a setting such as a hospital or office where there are people with allergies, artificial plants are the best option. Servest Office Plants do offer silk flower rental services and change your plants once a month. This creates the illusion of fresh cut flowers in your office space, should fresh flowers not be an option. Our commitment to creative, passionate, efficient service has made us the preferred office plants supplier.

Interior Design and Office Plants: A Natural Partnership

noreply@blogger.com (Candice Roots SA) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:47:00 +0000

It is seldom you walk in to an office space or corporate building that has not been carefully crafted by an interior design professional. Businesses understand the importance of a great first impression and a professionally designed office will certainly achieve this. A well thought-out design will also make the most of the space within the office, re-enforce your corporate identity, welcome guests and will of course be a pleasurable environment for employees to work in. However, it is not just the colour on the walls, lighting effects and furniture selection that create the look of an office, the inclusion of plants and natural elements are a very important aspect of an office’s visual appeal.

Plants and natural elements, such as water features and stone sculptures, really enhance the look and feel of any office space. Plus, as one of our previous articles explored, these natural elements create a very calming and happy ambiance, as well as imparting health benefits. We should also remember the purely visual qualities that plants have, whether you are green fingered or not you cannot dispute the enjoyment we get from plants!

A display of plants can soften the appearance of an office by distracting the eye from sharp angles, unattractive wires and equipment, or large areas of bare space. Well-positioned containerised plants can also add focal points to a room, and can be a creative way to divide up a space in to different areas, for example a break-area can be separated from an open plan office with a row of large containerised plants. The quantity of plants will of course depend on the size of the interior and the office’s requirements. Containerised plants are available in all shapes and sizes so there will be the perfect solution to suit any space.

The beauty of any plant life is the sheer variety that is available. No matter what look and feel an office space has, there will definitely be the perfect species of plant to complement and enhance the overall design. A contemporary office may suit the unusual shapes of bonsai trees, whereas a selection of leafy palms may be more suited to a traditional-looking space. The plant itself can work in harmony with your office design and so can the container in which it lives.

There is a wide selection of containers to choose from and they can be used to great visual effect. If a workspace has a modern look then stainless steel would work very well, just in the same way that ceramic plant pots could enhance a softer, more natural design. As well as being functional, plant containers could even add splashes of colour to a room and become an integral part of the overall office design.

It is definitely worth remembering the visual benefits of plants, plus the vitality and life that they bring to an interior when designing a workspace. Aesthetically pleasing plants and their containers are abundant and come in many varieties, so an interior specialist will easily find office plants that will work in harmony with any design. Office plants can be integral features within a room and are certainly natural partners to any interior design.

Bonsai - The Little Plant that Speaks Volumes

noreply@blogger.com (Candice Roots SA) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 18:00:00 +0000

While plants most certainly add warmth and calm to any corporate workspace, they’re often used to make bold statements in foyers and receptions. If your aesthetic tastes run towards the “less-is-more” ideal, nothing speaks quite so emphatically as a well showcased bonsai. The creation of bonsai was taught to leaders and nobility in ancient Japan by monks and considered to be ideal accomplishments for men of taste and learning. It’s not just a decoration but a badge of sophistication and accomplishment.

Bonsai quite literally translates from Japanese as “tree in a pot” and is a horticultural practice with its origins tracing thousands of years into Japan’s past and even further into China.
Simply placing a plant in a pot does not make it a bonsai. Like any art form there are skills and aesthetic guidelines in place that help direct the horticulturalist. To create a bonsai takes skill, patience, experience and an eye for beauty. A truly beautiful specimen will provide the appreciative admirer with as much pleasure as it does the creator.

To become a bonsai a plant is carefully and gently manipulated through pruning, defoliation, root cutting and re-potting until it resembles a miniature stylised version of the species as it would appear in nature. Contrary to common misconception, any plant may be used to create a bonsai, though the most popular are perennial species with a bark-covered stem.

If it’s well cared for a bonsai’s lifespan will outstrip the species in nature. Bonsai dating to the 17th century have survived to the present. One of the oldest-known living bonsai is considered to be at least 500 years old and was first trained as a bonsai by, at latest, the year 1610.

Despite its Asian origins the practice of bonsai has steadily grown in reach and favor. It’s now a globally recognised term and practice with over 1200 books in at least 26 languages available in over 90 countries.

Examples of true mastery of the art leave little evidence of their touch. Like any good piece of art, bonsai should capture the viewer’s attention and engage with them, encouraging contemplation of deeper issues and concepts. Traditionally, Japanese examples express aspects of Wabi-Sabi, encapsulating a Buddhist outlook, most notably the appreciation of impermanence.

Whatever the age, maturity or level of sophistication, bonsai are a beautiful, stylish and evocative addition to office decor. Despite their diminutive size they speak volumes in any language.

The Greener the Office, the Happier the Staff

noreply@blogger.com (Candice Roots SA) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:00:00 +0000

Today you will rarely find an office that has not undergone some form of interior and exterior landscaping. Creating an aesthetically pleasing commercial environment is paramount to ensuring your clients will have a pleasurable and memorable visit, and that the office is a great place to work. The presence of natural elements is said to contribute positively to an employees’ well being and mental outlook, which in a company will create a more productive workforce. So, what is it about greenery that makes us so happy?

Our wellbeing and health are affected by the air we breathe.

In an office environment people are often subjected to indoor air pollution such as toxic fumes released from cleaning products, computers, printers and photocopiers, and low humidity. Exposure to these chemicals can result in a general feeling of poor health, leading to poor concentration, and even increases in sick leave. Office plants absorb harmful substances, keep up atmospheric humidity levels, dampen noise pollution, have a cooling effect, and filter dust and dirt from the air. With the scientific benefits of plants improving the perceived air quality your office will be a healthier place to work.

Research has proven that plants can also significantly lower workplace stress and enhance productivity. A study conducted at Texas A&M University asked participants to perform tasks in office environments that held a variety of embellishments (including plants) or none at all. The subjects self-rated their moods as they executed creativity tasks and also demand tests to measure attentiveness. The number of ideas participants generated, their ideas' originality and flexibility increased vastly when plants were present. This is an example of just one study that lends weight to growing scientific evidence that natural elements have a beneficial impact on state of mind and emotions.

Indoor landscaping ensures a corporate environment is aesthetically pleasing... but it’s not just the aesthetics that will be pleased! To bring natural elements in to a workplace immediately makes for a calmer and more positive office. The presence of plants and flowers in an office environment significantly lowers workplace stress and enhances productivity, leading to all round happier workforce. This is the ideal working environment for any organisation to cultivate and it is worth remembering that a greener office is a happier one.