Botanical Inspiration: Fancy Foliage

For this week's Botanical Inspiration, I'm sharing Calathea, a fancy foliage plant.  Having admired my mother-in-law's Calathea for some time now, I decided to buy one for our place.  Its intricate foliage pattern and color makes it a stand out botanical in any space, but one that's not so easy to care for.  If you tend to over water your plants, Calatheas may be a perfect fit for you, but if you're like me and let the plants dry out between waterings, they may not be the botanicals for you.  They require bright indirect light and evenly moist soil.  Even the most attentive plant person may be challenged by this one. Do you own a Calathea?

Calatheas are so pretty, it's absolutely worth it to give them a shot in your home!

Botanical Inspiration: A Foliage Arrangement

When asked to donate a few botanical arrangements for a fundraiser benefitting our children’s elementary school, I knew foliage would play a predominant role in their composition.   I wanted them to feel very lush, textural and cascading.  With 6 different types of leaves and a vine, these came together:  somewhat feral, but, nevertheless, beautiful arrangements.  I do love a pretty flower, but there's something about combining different shades, shapes and textures of leaves that I find very appealing. A blooming passion vine was included for its interesting tendrils and to add another color to the mix.  Take a look:

Favorite "of the moment" foliage:   Gleichenia dicarpa, Sea Star Fern,