Cut flowers don’t usually last long, even when you place them in water in a vase. Keeping office flowers fresh to have a lovely scent and environment for longer is challenging. You might wonder how you can keep your flowers fresh long term, and there are a few tips and tricks to help your plants along.
Did you know that changing the water often is only the first step to keeping your flowers fresh?
The five senses can strongly impact how you perceive the environment around you, and smell can evoke feelings and memories that change your mood quite easily. Certain scents are proven to increase productivity and boost your mood. You might not be aware of how greatly scents can influence you and your employees; having a few flowers and plants with proven health benefits in the office is always a great way of brightening the day.
Edible flowers look stunning on the plate, adding colour, texture and a different flavour dimension to the food. But restaurant table flowers have benefits, too – some of which may surprise you.
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Every year the seasons come and go whether we want them to or not. From barren winter, to budding spring, sizzling summer, fading autumn and back again, we are in a constant cycle of renewal. As a result, it is important to match our flower use to the season we are in. Not only aesthetically, as we have explored for summer, autumn and winter, but as a way to responsibly source our flowers and limit our environmental impact in our quest for a beautiful office.
Positive Effect on the Workplace
Culturally the seasons are an integral part of our nation. True we may not all be dancing around maypoles and celebrating the harvest in autumn around the village green anymore, but these earthy celebrations still resonate with many people. Most people have their favourite season after all.
Our environment at work has a huge effect on our moods on a daily basis. Flowers have a positive effect on our emotional health – promoting happiness, calm, well-being and a sense of ease. Having a sense of change as the season’s progress indoors as well as out is a great way to keep the flow of the office moving forward.
Negative Environmental Effect
Roses are red, violets are blue, and they’re both fragile – have you ever thought about how they get to you? The environmental impact of flowers can actually be huge. If not in season, these natural beauties may need to be grown in warmer climates and then imported for use in the colder British weather. After being imported (likely by planes) they are then transported in climate-controlled trucks to their various destinations.
Of course, the opposite argument must also be pointed out in: third world countries use much more environmentally friendly growing methods than more developed countries might. Climate controlled greenhouses where workers drive to work every day are not in abundance and as such the environmental impact is much less than in more developed countries (although fair wages are a concern in some cases).
The question has to be whether we want to adversely affect the environment outside or not by making our inner environment more beautiful. The answer from most people would hopefully be a resounding no. As a result, decorating your office with flowers that are in season locally will have much less of a negative impact on our climate at the same time as creating a fun seasonal feel in the office. Alternatively, the growingly prevalent ‘fair trade’ and ‘sustainable’ blooms should be sought after to limit our impact on the planet.
To get the office flowers to match your needs, whatever the season, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us for all your arrangement needs.
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
Recognise this quote? Any Shakespeare fan would, and everyone else probably heard it at school and had a light-bulb moment at the beginning of this sentence. But, in truth the names of flowers can have an impact on the atmosphere they create in your office or reception. Their names say a lot about the flowers, so even if a visitor does not know what the name means they do get a sense of the flower that the name symbolises even without realising it.
The trick then is to choose blooms which complement your office, both in their appearance and the meaning behind the flower. Depending on the tone you want to set for your space the names of your blooms can have an effect – you may not want lilies everywhere when they are intimately associated with funerals for example!
The name for this flower comes from the Ancient Greeks. Legend says that this flower was named for Proteus, son of the sea god Poseidon, who knew all things past, present and future. People sought him for his gift and so Proteus would shift into many different forms to avoid them, a nifty trick! The protea flower likewise comes in many different forms and is a symbol of diversity and strength as a result. This is a great bloom to represent a diverse company.
This flower originates from tropical climates such as the Caribbean and South Africa, but now can be found all over the world – except of course in Antarctica. Made famous by the poet Virgil, these flowers take their name from the nymph Amaryllis, who declared her love for a gardener and was rebuffed, which is cited as the reason that amaryllis are a deep red. Meaning sparkling and splendour, amaryllis give a sophisticated air to any room. These flowers bloom for an astonishing six weeks and so are perfect for a long-lasting office accompaniment.
The anthurium is a flower that comes with many a name: Flamingo Flower, the Painted Tongue and a Painter’s Palette being among them. Legend states that when this bloom closes its petals rain is imminent and that magical faeries would sleep under the petals as they closed. With their open, heart-shaped, tropical-feeling petals the anthurium has come to be a symbol for hospitality. This is a happiness-inspiring flower perfect for an office and great if you fancy faeries taking up residence!
Wait! We know, we know, the sunflower seems like a very self explanatory name. To be perfectly honest it is. However, not all the world names these bright flowers after the sun. In fact in Turkish the word for sunflower Ayçiçek means, wait for it, moonflower! There’s no doubt that sunflowers lift the mood in any room, but now you can help by pulling out this fun fact on dreary days!
So now you know the meaning behind the blooms that you have spread around the office, hopefully you will have a better idea of the type of flower to proudly display in your business to send the right message to all your visitors. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with any enquiries you may have regarding our products and services.
We’ve all heard about birthstones and various other month related objects, but did you know that there are flowers that are dedicated to each month too?
At Planteria, we provide high quality flowers for offices and we have decided to take a look at what some of the beautiful blooms that are associated with the months in the year. It’s a fantastic idea who swap your flowers around every so often, why not try a few of these flowers out in your office environment during “their” month?
January- Carnation
The birth flower for January is the carnation. These distinct flowers are admired far and wide for their ruffled petals and beautiful fragrance. Depending on their colour, the carnation is said to symbolise different things, with love, distinction and fascination being just some of them.
The scientific name of the carnation is dianthus caryophyllus ; dianthus being the Greek work for “flower of the gods” and has featured in the works of many famous painters, such as Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Madonna with the Carnation”.
February- Violet
February’s flower is said to be a violet. These extremely delicate flowers have small, delicate petals and come in various shades of blue and yellow.
They are said to symbolise faithfulness, humility and the truth of love. They have been used in Shakespeare’s Hamlet to convey devotion in Act IV Scene V during a song ; “I would give some violets, but they withered all when my father died.”
March- Daffodil
Ah, the beautiful daffodil. This beautiful flower takes the centre stage for March. It is a flower that holds religious meaning for Christians, who believe that it was the first flower which bloomed during Christ’s resurrection. Druids also believed the flower to be the symbol of purity.
With a few variations in colour, this is one of the most recognised flowers of all time as it is the national flower of Wales.
April- Sweet Pea
Sweet Peas are small, beautiful flowers what thrive by growing up walls. They generally bloom in pastel colours and have one of the most beautiful, delicate fragrances. They are heavily associated with departure or delicate pleasure.
The famous poet Keats was said to be the first to use the name sweet pea and this small, delicate flower became so popular in the 1800s that they became the floral symbol of Edwardian England.
May- Lily of the Valley
May’s birth flower is the lily of the valley which, despite it’s dainty, small blooms, sweet scent and symbolism of sweetness, is extremely poisonous.
The flowers grow on a stalk; each stalk containing around 5-15 flowers. These flowers have 6 tepals which are fused at the base to create the distinct bell shape that is associated with the lily of the valley.
June- Rose
Roses are very easy to identify and have earned their place as the birth flower for the month of June. Roses can bloom in various different colours and are believed to date back to around 5,000 years ago.
There is a wide variety of roses available and were considered to be a sacred flower in ancient Egypt. They are used to symbolise love and beauty.
We hope that you have enjoyed the first instalment of our birth flowers series. We think that using a flower that is associated with each month for decorating your office is a fantastic idea. It allows you to experience some flowers that you may not have come into contact with and appreciate the beauty that some of these beautiful plants has to offer.
If you are looking to adorn your office with some fantastic flowers, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us by calling our team on 0800 640 5560 and have a chat with one of our friendly team members.
In the Western world, between 10-30% of people suffer from hay fever each year, making it one of the most common allergies. Allergic rhinitis, as it is known in the medical world, is where the immune system overreacts to allergens such as pollen, and has the symptoms of sneezing, blocked or runny noses, and itchy, watering eyes. Usually only occurring in the spring and summer months, people with hay fever have to avoid exposure to pollens that affect their allergies or take medicines.
Because flowers release pollen, those suffering from allergic rhinitis often think that they have to avoid flowers altogether. Not all flowers are bad to be around, though; some produce less pollen, are insect-pollinated, or have pollen that is too large to spread far. So that those with hay fever can enjoy flowers in the office without aggravating their allergies, we’re going to list the best (and worst) office flowers during allergy season.
Although some flowers should be avoided, there is still a diverse range of safe office flowers.
Insect-Pollinated Office Flowers
Not all flowers release their pollen into the air; some plants stick their pollen to the legs of insects that then release the pollen on a different flower. These kinds of flowers have thick and sticky pollen, reducing the risk of any pollen getting into your eyes or nose and causing hay fever symptoms. There is a wide variety of office flowers in this group, available in many colors and sizes, so you’re likely to find something that will please you without aggravating your allergies.
Popular insect-pollinated office flowers include:
All species of English roses release only small amounts of pollen into the air. This includes all the different colors and sizes, so you’re unlikely to have any prolonged symptoms from this species of office flower. If you still find that roses are causing your allergies some bother, you can find tight-budded varieties of these office flowers that release even less pollen into the air.
Ordinary sunflowers are particularly bad for those with allergies, but there is a species of hypoallergenic sunflowers. Coming in various colours and varieties, hypoallergenic sunflowers have pollen that is too large to be spread easily in the air, so you’re unlikely to feel any symptoms unless your nose and the flower come into contact.
Some office flowers cause particularly bad symptoms in hay fever sufferers, and it is best to know what these are to avoid them as much as possible. Most pollen that people with hay fever are allergic to comes from trees and grass, but there are some office flowers you should avoid too.
Although the hypoallergenic sunflowers mentioned above won’t aggravate allergies, the ordinary variety will. These flowers have a notably large center that releases large amounts of pollen. Another flower to avoid is jasmine, which releases a lot of pollen. Although some love the strong scent it gives off, hay fever sufferers will often find themselves sneezing badly when near.
Lilies are said to be bad for hay fever sufferers because they release large amounts of pollen, but you needn’t avoid this species altogether, as it is possible to have the pollen removed from the bulb.
People’s allergies can differ so you may find that you are more allergic to certain species than others. This means that even if one person is particularly allergic to one species, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will be too. Make note of which flowers set your allergies off to give you a better idea of what you should be avoiding and what is fine.
Here at Planteria, we’re experts in all things flowers. Whether it’s choosing flowers that won’t aggravate allergies or selecting flowers for events, we can provide an excellent service. If you are looking for corporate flowers then look no further than us. If you would like more information about what we can provide, contact us today and a member of our team will be happy to help.
Voting time is here! No, not for the general election… for your favourite wild flower in Britain!
In a poll by the charity Plantlife, residents of the UK have been asked to vote for their favourite wild growing flower; pitching bluebells up against daffodils, foxgloves against cowslips and snowdrops against poppies.
Currently, the bluebell is dominating the vote for England, whereas the foxglove is leading in Northern Ireland, and the primrose in Scotland and Wales.
So let’s take a look at the top 10 wild flowers that the poll has reported so far!
The beautiful bluebell is currently topping the overall top 10 of the poll. Found in woodland areas, as well as hedgerows and grassland, this vivacious little plant can’t be missed easily. Its distinctive blue colouring and bell-like flowers are most associated with the beginning of spring and are most commonly seen in April and May. It is also dedicated to England’s Patron Saint, St. George himself!
In the number 2 spot is the delicate primrose. Found in damp, clay-like soils of woodland and hedgerows, this tiny little yellow flower apparently symbolises innocence and fear. It is also the county flower of Devon. The name derives from the Latin prima rosa which means “first rose of the year”, so it’s no wonder that when you see a primrose bloom, spring is most definitely on its way.
The beautiful poppy stands tall and proud in third place of Britain’s favourite wildflowers. They can be found on farmland and waste grounds, as well as simply on the roadside. Their seeds only sprout when the earth they are planted in is disturbed. This is why so many grew on the battlefields of the First World War. Poppies usually bloom mid to late summer with June being the earliest. They are most associated with being a mark of consolation, and are the county flowers of Essex and Norfolk.
The hardy little snowdrop is next on the list. With its tiny little white blooms, it’s hard to believe how tough this little flower is. Blooming in January to March, it is quite a sight to see when most other flowers aren’t yet flowering. It’s no surprise that they are a sign of hope and purity, especially being able to survive in the cold winter months. They can be found in damp soil, such as on riverbanks and in woodlands.
The cowslip is a very rural plant. Found in meadows and open grassy areas, its distinctive look is hard to miss. With small yellow flowers coming out of a green bunch at the top of its stem, the cowslip is very easy to pinpoint in the sea of grass in a meadow. Our ancestors lovingly named the flower as such, as apparently they had a tendency to flower where a cow had “slupped”. That’s one way to put it nicely!
The cornflower is another rural flower, which is sadly becoming a rare sight in our country due to modern agricultural practices of using herbicides and fertilisers. The distinctive blue starburst bloom of the cornflower can be seen in late summer, with June to August being the opportune time to try and catch a glimpse.
A very interesting fact about cornflowers is that they were found in the tomb of Tutankhamun, and even being over 3,000 years old, they had not lost much of their vibrant colour.
One of the more common flowers in the UK, the foxglove is very easily recognisable. With its tall stalks which can harbour up to eighty distinctive blooms, the foxglove is commonly found on riverbanks and woodland clearings. It is hardly surprising that it is such a common plant, when a single plant can produce over a million seeds!
The mottled markings on the flowers were once believed to be the handprints of fairies, and the Gaelic name for the plant, lus nam ban-sith translates to “the fairy woman’s plant”.
One of the lesser known flowers, the fritillary is traditionally found in wet hay meadows that had flooded in the winter months. The bloom of the fritillary has a very serpentine marking on its flower, and is often referred to as the “snakes head” flower. As the county flower of Oxfordshire, Ducklington church in the county holds an event called “Fritillary Sunday” where members of the public can walk around a field full of the flower.
Here we have a rather deceptive flower, just like the snowdrop. The harebell looks very delicate and weak, with its thin petals and tall spindly stalks, but it is in fact incredibly resilient. Able to grow in the dry open grasslands to the windswept coast, this flower is a tough cookie! It is the county flower of Yorkshire , and is most associated with grief and humility. Apparently dreaming about harebells is said to symbolise true love!
Found in large groups, the daffodil is one of the most recognised flower in the UK. With its large yellow trumpet blooms, it’s very hard to miss. They can be found almost anywhere around March and April, when they fully bloom. They are the national symbol of Wales and are also the county flower of Gloucestershire. They are said to represent hope and unrequited love, which also explains why they are a popular Mother’s Day gift!
Here at Planteria, we are potty about plants; wild or otherwise! We know that the right plants can make a big difference to an environment, and are leading providers of office flowers in London. If you are interested in bringing a little bit of the outdoors into your workplace, don’t hesitate to contact us and talk to one of our experienced team members today!
We’ve spent plenty of time talking about how flowers look great and are the perfect way to brighten up your office with their pretty colours and striking patterns. But one thing we haven’t talked about is how flowers can add a wonderful, natural scent to your office. So why not ditch the air fresheners and plug-in smellies, and opt for Mother Nature’s very own Febreze?
Oriental Lily
Not only is this flower particularly beautiful, it also has a strong and recognisable fragrance. This is the perfect flower to place in an entrance or reception area as it will greet guests with a gorgeous perfume. Make sure to keep away from any soft furnishings or clothing as the pollen can stain, leaving an orange mark.
Rose
The simple rose is possibly the most popular flower ever to bloom, and it’s not hard to see why. The beautiful flower comes in so many different variations, with colours ranging from deep red to hot pink to pure white. It’s not just the colour that can change from flower to flower, though, as you can find roses with completely different fragrances. Some will have a sweet musky floral smell while others will carry a fruity or citrus scent. These flowers are perfect for bathrooms or meeting rooms as they can be particularly compact while still emitting a brilliant perfume.
Cymbidium Orchid
The great thing about this striking orchid is that it smells as good as it looks. The pretty yellow flower gives off a delightful, fresh lemon scent. If you find that the strong fragrances of other blossoms can be a little too overpowering, this might be the perfect option for you. The subtle and bright perfume of the cymbidium orchid is ideal for just about anywhere in the office, but will work well in working areas where particularly strong scents can be a little distracting.
Hyacinth
The simple hyacinth is a pretty little flower that is particularly versatile when it comes to flower arranging. It can come in a wide range of colours, but is best known for its pretty blue/purple shade. This flower has a strong and pleasant perfume so they are great to use just about anywhere that you want to smell sweet and fresh. As our hyacinth arrangements come in simple and elegant designs, they would be ideal for desks and smaller places.
Ginger Lily
This tropical looking flower has a striking appearance as well as a wonderful scent. These would be great to use in any kind of display as they look fantastic but will also give off a pleasant fragrance that will brighten up any room in the office. Why not try placing them on reception desks to provide a focal point?
Fragrance Free
Obviously, we love flowers that come with their own signature scent, but sometimes it can be great to make use of blooms that are fragrance-free as some people can find the strong perfumes of flowers such as lilies and roses a little overpowering. By using unscented flowers in your office, you can ensure that everybody gets to enjoy them. For beautiful blooms that won’t smell, you can try hydrangeas, calla lilies, ranunculus or amaryllis.
Here at Planteria, we are floral experts, so whether you’re looking for corporate flowers that will brighten up an entrance way, fit in naturally on office desks or welcome guests into reception, we can help. For more information about any of our services, including office plants for hire, or flower arrangements, please don’t hesitate to contact us today to speak to a member of our friendly team.
Flower arrangements can make great additions to a variety of corporate environments such as offices, for numerous reasons. For example, flowers and plants can undoubtedly improve the aesthetic look of any office environment and provide a welcome splash of life and colour. However there are also a number of additional, and rather surprising, benefits of having flowers and plants in the workplace that might just surprise you. Indeed research has suggested that flowers can have a significant impact on our mood, creativity, and productivity and thus that contact with plants can have a positive impact on our health and wellbeing. So here we take a quick look as some of these surprising key benefits of flowers in the workplace.
Mood
Interestingly there is some evidence to suggest that flowers in the work place may improve productivity. For example research suggests that flowers can have a positive impact on employee’s mood and studies have demonstrated that looking at flowers can in fact make us happier. Significantly there is also evidence to suggest that flowers can also help reduce stress at work, lower blood pressure, and even reduce absenteeism, making them a pretty amazing addition to any office.
Creativity
Plants and flowers may also have the ability to boost creativity. One research study examining the effects of flowers and plants in the workplace demonstrated that both men and women demonstrated more innovative thinking, and generated more ideas and creative solutions to problems in an office environment that included flowers and plants. It is also thought that plants may be able to benefit our health by improving air quality, for example by increasing the amount of moisture in the air and removing certain toxins.
These surprising facts about flowers in the workplace demonstrate their powerful ability to have a positive impact on us. Here at Planteria we are experts in office flowers – supplying corporate flowers to a wide array of businesses throughout London. We pride ourselves on providing the best quality and freshest flowers possible and have an extensive range of flowers on offer. For more information about our great range of products and services please do not hesitate to contact us and a member of our friendly team will be happy to help you with your enquiries.
