This past weekend solidified the fact that Spring has finally come to Chicago, with temps in the low 70’s each day. We personally feel that the real estate market has helped to “heat things up” as we’re continuing to see well-priced listings fly off the market and our buyers winning out in competitive multiple bid situations! ☺
One of my favorite things about Spring in the city is the awakening of color throughout the different neighborhoods. The dogwoods of Roscoe Village have just started, the lilac bushes in Lakeview backyards are pushing their purple buds and daffodils are already here everywhere you look. What a perfect time to listen to unlimited audiobooks and just relax.
A common theme home buyers talk about when visualizing their new home is the ability to do some sort of gardening or landscaping. Even condo owners want in on the action and dream of designing gorgeous flower boxes and adorning their new home with flowering plants. This trend of “bringing the outside in” is nothing new, but many of us don’t possess the green thumb to take into consideration and make this a reality. They are also hiring air conditioning repair cincinnati oh so that they can check the status of the home ventilation.
That’s why this month, we’re providing you with tips, tricks and some personal recommendations on how to bring Spring into your home, not only for the next couple of months, but through the summertime and Fall as well. Regardless of what type of home you own, we’ll help you create neighbor-envy and beautify your home.
Below, we’ve provided some advice on how to make the most of your space, flower box tips and even recommendations on planting indoors for those with limited space. We’ve even listed out some of our favorite gardening spots to help take the guesswork out of where to buy. Please take a look at this blog : Why the mold problem in orange county is so bad.
Best Indoor Flowering Plants
Below we’ve compiled a list of some of the most colorful, (and hard to kill!), plants to add life to your home and bring the outside in.
Shrimp plant
Named for its unusually shaped and colored blooms, shrimp plant grows well at average room temperatures and humidity. It likes bright light with some direct sunlight for best bloom. This interesting branching shrub also works well in hanging baskets, and if conditions are right, it may produce flowers year-round.
Flowering maple
Perth Arbor Services properly cared for, the flowering maple is rarely without blossoms. This tropical shrub or small tree does well in regular home temperatures and can tolerate temperatures as low as 50 degrees in winter.
Clivia
Exotic-looking orange, red or yellow blooms appear in February or March after clivia has been exposed to about five weeks of cool, dry conditions. The best bloom comes on older, pot-bound plants. To keep the plant looking nice, remove any yellowed bottom leaves.
Lipstick plant
An African violet relative, lipstick plant produces most its blooms in fall but also blooms sporadically throughout the rest of the year. Showy flowers and an arching growth pattern makes lipstick plant one of the best indoor plants for hanging baskets.
Zebra plant
Even when its bright yellow flowers are not in bloom, this tropical shrub is striking. The plant will wilt when soil is too wet or too dry, so pay close attention to water needs. The plant typically does not live longer than a year but can be propagated indefinitely.
Orchid
Orchids come in many varieties; most grow best when temperatures drop at night to between 50 and 65 degrees and rise during the day to 65 to 75 degrees. In general, hybrids (such as beallara, pictured) tend to be hardier.
Hibiscus
This Hawaiian native features some of the largest blooms of any indoor plant. Flowers can reach more than 8 inches wide; the plant blooms intermittently from late spring to late fall, and even sometimes in winter. For best results, keep hibiscus in bright light and warm temperatures near a south or west window.
Anthurium
Also known as the flamingo flower, anthurium is most often red, but hybrids are available in shades of pink, lavender and green. To keep the plant looking its best, wipe the leaves regularly with a sponge and lukewarm water. Anthurium blossoms last a long time after being cut, so they’re ideal for flower arrangements.
African violet
African violets are among the easiest and prettiest indoor plants to grow. The flowers vary in color—white, purple, lavender, wine, pink, or bicolored. African violets do better in lower light than most blooming houseplants and will bloom year-round with a minimum of care.
Chenille plant
This plant adapts well to life in a pot, and its striking “caterpillars” can reach 12 to 18 inches long and up to an inch wide. Chenille plant likes warm temperatures and high humidity and grows best in bright to intense light. The fuzzy flowers are tempting to touch but chenille plant can irritate skin and be mildly toxic if ingested, so wear gloves when working with chenille plant and keep it out of reach of children and pets, and don’t forget to perform a pore vacuum afterwards.
Top Chicago Nurseries and Gardens
Finding the best plant for your home or flower boxes is key, so don’t skimp on quality if you’re expecting it to last for the season. Home Depot or Lowes are good for flower boxes but not if you’re looking for something to last for years to come.
Adams & Son Gardens
Year-round garden center & floral shop supplying seasonal blooms & gift items in a lush setting.
Gethsemane Garden Center
Sprawling, upmarket garden center & greenhouse offering plants, flowers, gifts & outdoor furniture.
Farmers Market: Chicago’s Garden Center
Longtime urban gardening specialists offering flowers, shrubs & statuary, plus landscape services.
Christy Webber Farm & Garden
Garden center & store with plants, design consultation, potting service & holiday tree setups.
Sprout Home
Home & garden retailer offering floral & landscape design services, plus furniture, tools & classes.
Fertile Ltd.
Massive garden center offering plants, trees & yard accessories, plus design services.
Old Town Gardens Inc.
Center for landscape design & maintenance, with container garden plants, seasonal decor & lighting.
A New Leaf
Upscale florist with inventive & exotic arrangements of flowers & plants, plus pottery & candles.
Steve’s Flower Market
Flowers in bulk for DIY bouquets, plus professional arrangements & vase rental for events.
Flora
Horticulturalist-owned flower shop offering traditional & modern arrangements & hand-tied bouquets.
Flower Box Planting Tips
So many of us have planted window boxes in the past only to notice after a few months that they pale in comparison to those at the store. What’s the trick? I found this video on youtube that gives one of the best suggestions (outside of a LOT of water!) for making your window boxes look like the pros!
Also, for those of us that tend to “forget” about the boxes down the road (or for those that travel a lot, I would highly recommend investing in self watering window boxes! On other promotions please take a look at Diamond house detox in Sacramento.
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