I think it’s safe to say that it Spring is near! It’s been nice to see bright blue skies and to feel warmth standing in the sunshine. At The Garden Boutique, we have been so ready for this season to arrive that it isn’t quite enough to enjoy the signs of spring outside…here are some “bloomin’ marvelous” ideas to bring Spring indoors too:
- We love adding spring touches to home décor: freshening up rooms, adding splashes of color, and bringing a little bit of nature inside wherever possible.
- Accent pillows are essentials in seasonal decorating. Don’t be afraid to go for an unexpected color or pattern—even a dark sofa brightens with the addition of cheerful pillows.
- Of course, nothing says “Spring” like a bouquet of flowers or plants in bloom. Having fresh-cut flowers and beautiful plants around the house says “Spring has arrived!” and can brighten every room.
- You don’t need to have a large bouquet of flowers to make a statement. A little decorative birdcage filled with a tiny plant or a few sprigs from a flowering tree is elegant and unexpected.
Need help finding more ways to bring Spring indoors? The Garden Boutique is stocked and ready for Spring! Please stop by the store to see our new gardening, decorating and entertaining items – arriving regularly. And check out our tips on how to care for African Violets below this beautiful photo!
Bonus! How to care for African Violets
Wander into the greenhouse sales area of the Garden Boutique and you’ll see beautiful African violets. These plants are easy to grow, and the Boutique has cache pots that will enhance their pink and purple and white colors. A grouping on a side table brings spring indoors!
Violets require a few simple things:
- Soil must allow roots to develop, so adding a bit of peat, vermiculite or perlite is a must.
- Water: Plants should never sit in a puddle; when the soil surface feels dry, use tepid water with a ¼ strength African violet fertilizer. If drops splash the leaves, absorb them with a soft paper towel to avoid “sunburn” marks. Violets love humidity – they are tropical “jungle” plants – so mist them often, making sure the water is warm and the plant is not in bright sun.
- Light is a must. To bloom, violets prefer east or south windows, but protect them from hot noonday sun. Plants grown in a window should get a quarter turn every day. You can also grow them under artificial light.
- Room temperature of 65-75 degrees is best, but violets will tolerate up to 90 degrees if watered well.
- Air circulation is essential, so if you have more than one plant, keep a few inches between each pot. That space also helps prevent the spread of disease and insects.
- Potting: Violets love a small pot – 3” for a young plant, 4” when the plant is a grown-up. To start a new plant, remove a fresh leaf, cut off the petiole (stem) with a sharp knife 1” from the leaf, and place the cutting in a small container of vermiculite. Keep it moist at all times, and when you see a new plantlet, transplant it into a pot with some of that good violet soil.
