The story behind the greenwalls at Shinola stores nationwide. The live plant backdrop highlights the genuine Shinola products at this store. This Mother’s Day, all Shinola storefronts are adorned with greenwalls of live plants and azaleas by Detroit based designer, Sarah Stalker, creative director of Planterra. The display of spring freshness is the perfect backdrop to feature the fine timepieces and handbags at Shinola. The results are beautiful, so we asked Sarah to tell us more about the design and implementation. Let's talk plants! Vibrant

Tropical Plant Procurement The Sealing Wax Palm has brilliant red crownshaft and is rare in North America. In 2011, Planterra sourced these palms for installation at Queen Elizabeth’s Official Canadian Residence, Rideau Hall in Ottawa. Ornamental acclimated tropical foliage is a specialty crop grown for use as houseplants and for commercial interior plantscape installations. These plants are selected and hybridized for specific characteristics, the kind that makes them successful plants to use indoors. The number of growers who specialize in plantscape grade foliage is small in

When the Detroit Zoo opened in its current Royal Oak location in 1928, it was the first zoo in the country to have animal exhibits without bars. Two of its most interactive exhibits to this day are the butterfly garden and free-flight aviary. Housed separately in one building, visitors will find hundreds of butterflies and 20 different species of birds, respectively. Detroit Zoo Butterfly garden and free-flight aviary. In the 1990s, our professionals at Planterra had the honor of installing the butterfly garden. Over the

Using Integrated Pest Management for indoor plantscapes When working with live plants, inside or out, management of pests is paramount to success. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a long-term effective and environmentally sensitive practice to maintain healthy live plants.It is supported by the Environmental Protection Agency. Indoor plants are susceptible to a wide variety of pests. In some cases, the plants are vulnerable due to lack of light, temperature changes, and dry air. Chemical pesticides tend to move up the food chain, posing a harm

Mastering irrigation for building interiors Interior landscapes require a customized approach when it comes to irrigation. One that will keep plants healthy and be thriving indoors. At Planterra, our experts use the most effective technology and methods of maintaining plantscapes indoors. When we ensure more efficient water usage, those practices can help control labor costs, too. Wondering how it works? Start with self-watering planters It all begins with self-watering planters. We recommend a sub-irrigation system for indoor plantscaping. Since the majority of interior plant installations