Late starters, catch up on spring planting with this set of six EcoForms, made from compressed grain husks with natural, water-soluble binding agents. EcoForms are built to withstand extreme temperatures, with efficient drainage systems and insulation to keep plants happy and healthy. The manufacturing process uses no pollutants, all byproducts are recycled, and at the end of their......read more
Clover Chadwick, owner of Dandelion Ranch here in Los Angeles, describes her approach to floral design as "natural, organic, balanced, with lots of movement." It's a design philosophy rooted in her experiences studying agriculture and working in a Napa eatery, where fresh, seasonal ingredients were the order of the day. Chadwick's creations involve wild, native plants that are outside the realm......read more
If you were in New York City in the late '60s, you may have come across a longhaired Stephen Rutsky out in the streets with his hippy brethren, advocating for social and political change. These days, you're more likely to find him among the abundant greenery of his Park Slope garden, where he practices a quieter, more personal form eco-activism... by growing plants. From beans for his table to......read more
These house-shaped Glass Greenhouses, framed in powder-coated copper, capture condensation that helps succulents and other types of plants thrive. The glass top lifts off the base, so you can simply and quickly change the plantscape to suit your green thumb's desires. And when it gets mucked up, simply wipe it clean. The Glass Greenhouses are available in two sizes: Small (9"Sq x 18") and Large......read more
At age 21, aspiring musician Azuma Makato made the unlikely leap from punk rock to petunias, leaving his guitar behind to explore the creative possibilities of flower arrangement. Fast-forward fifteen-odd years, and Azuma is not only a world-renowned florist and owner of Tokyo flower shop Jardins des Fleurs, but a globe-trotting artist whose medium is plantlife. "I......read more
After the weekend snowstorm, our East Coast friends may not be thinking much about gardening, but over here on the sunny West Coast, we're still looking for planting ideas and accessories. These planters from Sprout Home are made in the USA from at least 50 percent recycled steel, and are available in a bunch of fun colors, from retro green to aqua blue to bright yellow. Rugged yet smooth, the......read more
The Petal Drops Raincatcher, developed by Pieter Laga and the design-by-community users at Quirky, makes wasteful plastic bottles useful again, with a simple and efficient design that gathers rainwater for re-use. Made from plant-based sources, the flower-shaped funnel fits comfortably on to any old plastic water bottle, turning it instantly into the perfect miniature water barrel, ready to water......read more
Native New Yorker Peter Manerva comes by his love of gardening honestly. His parents were into plants, and when he was a kid, instead of building forts out of sheets and couch cushions, he would create his own little jungle worlds from all the plantlife around the house. That childhood interest in greenery blossomed into an adult obsession. Peter was kind enough to show us around his spectacular......read more
With his Skyfarm project, German designer Manuel Dreesmann delivers a futuristic, conceptual take on ornamental hanging plant baskets. Conceived for high-rise apartment buildings with small balconies that leave little room for conventional planter boxes, Skyfarm consists of a series of "Skypots" -- white acrylic pots with transparent lids that are strung from the balcony ceiling.......read more
Scott A. Sant'Angelo is maybe best known as the founder of Arkitip, the longstanding Los Angeles art magazine that's always on the front lines of cultural influence. But he also happens to be an accomplished photographer. Flipping through Scott's portfolio, it's clear that he has distinct photographic interest in plants. We pulled a small selection of them here, some warm and......read more