Tillandsia aka Air Plants

Tillandsias, also known as Air Plants to most of us are plants that have furry scales on their foliage that take up water from humid air and gather nutrients from air-borne dust! They live on air, hence the name.

Tillandsias have grown in popularity over the past few years, they are extremely easy to care for, come in varying shapes and sizes and can be placed in almost any container, making it easy to accomodate any space that needs a little green. Another wonderful aspect of these plants is they occasionally surprise us with a bloom in strong purple or pink tones and their unruly leaves change in colour when exposed to bright sun.  

Whether your Tillandsia has a home inside a vintage jar, or in a hanging glass terrarium (as seen below), the life span of your plant depends on you. For this reason we thought we would share some care instructions so you can create the ideal environment for your Air Plant.

  • Always have a small amount of water at the base of your container for humidity.                                              
  • Never allow your plant to sit in or touch the water for long periods.                                                                     
  • Every 2-3 weeks take your plant out of the container and submerge it in water for a couple of hours. 
  • Place it back in the container and enjoy.
  • Proper air circulation is very important so never seal a terrarium.                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

Air Plant Terrariums

Mother's Day at eco|stems

With such a diverse and abundant supply of local and sustainable flowers at this time of year, it can be hard to choose the right arrangement for Mother's Day. Ranunculus, Tulips and Peonies in a variety of colours are just some of the flowers that stimulate our senses during Spring and make the decision making process for that perfect gift all the harder. As designers, we like to think that every flower is a spectacular masterpiece on its own, no choice can be a bad one. That's why when it came to showcasing one flower arrangement for Mother's Day, it was next to impossible. So we decided instead to sample a few pieces and combinations we've created over the past week to help you choose a design mom can't resist.

Floral Art at Canada Blooms

Every now and then we come upon a great design opportunity that allows us to be really creative! When we got invited to re-create the 'Magic of Spring' for Canada Blooms it gave us an opportunity to showcase our interpretation through a piece of floral art; something that we at eco|stems love being a part of. Through generous use of re-used and salvaged Willow, Birch, Forsythia and Dogwood branches we were able to re-create the fabric of late winter by building a structure which showcased all that is uncovered as the snow melts in the spring. Once our winter element took shape, it was necessary to have spring signify rebirth from among the debris and death of winter. Calla Lilies, Ranunculus and Double Tulips in orange and yellow tones were the perfect colour contrast to signify that spring was here. As the days passed the Tulips grew taller through the lattice work of the wooden structure while the other flowers opened to perfection.


Spring Awakening - Gardiner in Bloom

 

Join us for the Spring Awakening, Gardener in Bloom at the Gardener Museum, May   3-5, 2013!

Toronto's top floral designers create stunning floral art installations inspired by the Gardiner Collections.

Spring Awakening - Gardiner Museum (2012)

Spring Awakening - Gardiner Museum (2012)

The Green Living Show, April 12 to 14

The Green Living Show is now less then one week away! April 12-14


Take a look at the video below from the 2012 Show.

We're busy here at eco|stems creating our pop-up shop! Think of it as eco|stems mini. These Terrariums are just a taste of what will be on offer! Be sure to check it out just inside the show entrance. 

Visit the show website for more info and don't forget, bring old electronics for recycling and get in free!

Desert Terrariums available in store or at the Green Living Show.

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Winter Days at Allen Gardens

With winter finally in full swing, it is often hard to figure out what to do around our city to escape the cold while getting rejuvenated. On a lazy Sunday we went to Allen Gardens. Sit back and enjoy the the clean air, the wonderful fragrance of orange trees in full bloom and just be recharged in the presence of all these plants. You almost feel as though you aren't even in the city anymore or that winter is just beyond those glass walls. A perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Allen Gardens Conservatory

Allen Gardens Conservatory

Orchid sp.

Orchid sp.

Orange tree in bloom, the most unforgettable fragrance

Orange tree in bloom, the most unforgettable fragrance

Walk through the desert greenhouse with all the Cacti and Succulents.

Walk through the desert greenhouse with all the Cacti and Succulents. 

A Flowering Maple

A Flowering Maple

Cattleya Orchids

Cattleya Orchids 

Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise

Cacti Assortment

Cacti Assortment

From the inside looking out

From the inside looking out

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Things We're Working on This Season

Have a look at the beautiful things we've been creating this holiday season.

Dogwood Wreath

Phalaenopsis Orchid Holiday Planter
Holiday Store Decor
Red and Pink Christmas

Vintage Sleigh from our family farm, now used to pretty up the store!

Winter Display

A crimson Christmas

Canada Blooms is Coming!


eco|stems is an advance ticket outlet for Canada Blooms. Our tickets are $17 for adults and $14 for seniors and students. Regular admission is $20.

 

Canada Blooms is March 16th to the 25th. Visit Canada Blooms and receive same day admission to the National Home Show!

We'll be creating an awesome floral display in the professional florists area like we have for the past 2 years. Make sure to check it out.


We still haven't figured out what 2012 is going to look like. You'll have to attend to find out!

Check out our post about our display from 2010.

Here's what we created for 2010.



And this is our 2011 display.

 

eco|stems loves flowers!

Here's a random assortment of floral creations that have been made at the shop recently. Enjoy!

A red Rose arm bouquet.
One of our fall windows.
Calla Lilies!
A long and low sympathy spray arrangement.
A fall centrepiece.
A bridal bouqet.
Broccoli is a flower too! 
Bride and bridesmaid bouquets!
A summer wedding.

Wedding Season is Here!

Wedding season is here and we're booking all sorts of fun and hip wedding flowers for 2011!  Here at eco|stems every wedding is different and that's what keeps our creative juices flowing! 

Call 416-214-6479 or email info@ecostems.ca today to book your wedding consultation.

Take a look below at some of the bouquets we created last year!












  


New York's High Line Park

This past Labour Day long weekend I took a mini vacation to New York City. I made it a priority to walk along The High Line. The High Line is an elevated linear park running a mile and a half (when complete) on an old train track bed through several of New York's most trendy West Side neighborhoods. The naturalized plantings and the beautiful meandering paths made me want to take a lot of pictures.  I have also found some great videos online. I've included my favorites below, enjoy!

I love snow, especially when it's falling! Here's The High Line in Winter.


The History of The High Line.

The High Line Design.


And here are the pictures...

Looking north at the uncompleted 2nd Phase



Looking South at the North end of Phase 1

A cool building!













A Winter Wedding

 In December I had the opportunity to work with Phalaenopsis Orchids among other flowers and greenery for a winter wedding! The finished bouquets had a wild and whimsy but still modern feel. Take a look at the pictures below and see what I came up with!

 The Bride's Bouquet




The Bridesmaid Bouquets


The Groom's and Groomsmen Boutonnieres

Holiday Hours

December 24th - Open 10am to 5pm

December 25th to December 28th - Closed

December 29th and 30th - Open Noon to 5pm

December 31st to January 3rd - Closed

January 4th - 10am to 6pm 

We will return to our regular hours on January 4th.

For assistance please email us at info@ecostems.ca as we will have email access throughout the holidays.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Planet of Sound is opening up next door!

Historic Queen Street East is slowly changing!  There will be a new business joining eco|stems this Saturday when Planet of Sound has its grand opening.  They are located at 263 Queen Street East, 2 doors west of eco|stems!

Come by for a chance to win a turntable or one of two $50 gift certificates!

There'll be lots of snacks, drinks and of course lots of music!

And don't forget we also have a great vintage shop to the east in the same building, Upside Dive just celebrated their one year anniversary.  They've got a great selection of vintage attire and decor.

Now all we need is a coffee shop!

Through the Garden Gate

Through the Garden Gate is the Toronto Botanical Garden's annual garden tour and this year it featured 26 private gardens in the Beaches the weekend of June 19th and 20th.  

As a Toronto Master Gardener I was stationed in one of the gardens to answer any and all questions about the garden I was assigned.  Here are some pictures from that garden, enjoy!

Have a question about gardening, indoor plants, anything related to horticulture?  Call or stop by and I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have!






eco|stems was at Canada Blooms!

eco|stems created a very large floral installation for Canada Blooms this year.  We were given a space 4'deep by 5'wide by 10'tall and we filled it! 

All of the flowers, foliage, branches and birch poles were grown and sourced locally in Ontario.

Take a look at the pictures, they speak for themselves.

 
more pictures after the jump...


eco|stems is in the Spring Issue of Food & Drink!

eco|stems has been featured in the Spring Issue of the LCBO's Food and Drink Magazine!
It might be too late to pick up your copy since they go fast!  That's why we've included the page where eco|stems was mentioned, cause you know...that's all that matters to us!  If you do have a copy you can find the article on page 111.

If you're entertaining guests but want to do it without harming people or the planet call us today and we'll help you choose flowers that will be perfect for any party or event!

Click the image to make it larger!

Vase and Pot Amnesty!

Here at eco|stems we are always thinking of ways we can lessen our collective impact on the environment and get our customers involved.
With that in mind, we wanted everyone to know that we will happily take any used vases and/or pots you've got collecting dust.  Bring them in and we'll trade your donation for a flower.  Cracks, chips or scratches are no problem, we'll take those too!  Metal, glass and ceramic etc. are all accepted.

We'll put them all to good use and keep them out of landfill.

Give us a call if you have larger quantities and we'll arrange to pick them up.

A big thank-you goes out to those individuals who have already brought in their vases and pots for reuse!


NO PLASTIC PLEASE!