We are back with another ‘Around the world’ article. In these articles we visit a different part of the world and tell you more about the local vegetation in relation to the products you can find in our assortment. In this ‘around the world’ edition we explore Asia.
Around the World - Asia
September 13th, 2019
ASPIDISTRA
Aspidistra is known to be an extremely strong plant, that can survive a punch or two. Lack of light, irregular watering, or extreme heath? Where other plants would have withered away long ago, it forms no threat for Aspidistra. For hundreds of years this plant is adored in and around the house. But also for usage in a flower arrangement the aspidistra has more than proved its powerhouse qualities. Aspidistra is originally from east and southeast Asia. In the wild they don’t need a lot of sunlight and you’ll find them huddled closely together under trees and foliage. In England aspidistra is commonly known as the ‘cast iron plant’, of course named after its iron-like determination to stay alive. Read more background information about Aspidistra here on our blog.
There are multiple varieties, aspidistra variegata has a green leaf with white stripes, aspidistra Milky Way has a speckled leaf and the ‘standard’ aspidistra has a beautiful deep green leaf. Log in to view the entire current selection here.
BAMBOO
Bamboo is an easy plant and can grow very well in multiple climates. Most bamboo varieties grow very, very fast. A certain type of bamboo is even the fastest growing plant on earth. This variety can grow up to a meter a day. This is a very good thing, since bamboo has a lot to endure. Why, you ask? As you know, bamboo is loved by panda’s ,who love to do nothing more but to munch on bamboo all day long. But bamboo is lightly digestible, this means that the average panda needs to eat 10 to 15 kilo’s a day to feel satisfied. That is a lot of bamboo!
Bamboomurals are are quite important within the East-Asian art. A bamboo motif is painted as a symbol for modesty, durability, courage and endurance. The blossoming of the bamboo is seen as a bad omen within Chinese Culture and is therefore almost never pictured in these murals.
CYCAS
Cycas remains from the prehistoric era and almost appears to be immortal. In those days, Cycas appeared all over the world. But the worldwide cycas distribution took a hit around the same time the dinosaurs died, Cycas disappeared from the northern hemisphere. Now cycas only naturally appears on the southern hemisphere in countries such as Japan, Indonesia, Malesia, India, Sri Lanka and Madagascar. Due to its long history and special genetic composition cycas is seen as a relic of the past: a living fossil. When you are as old as cycas is, everything takes a little more time: most varieties take a very long time to grow and need about 10 years to be able to reproduce.
Cycas in our assortment is currently from our exclusive brand; Creative Colours and was grown in Costa Rica. Cycas is the perfect foliage for creating a stylish and tropical bouquet. We did so in this video.
You can view our current cycas assortment here
HYDRANGEA
Hydrangea originally comes from China and Japan (amongst others). In the 16th and 17th century this flower made its way to Europe through a research expedition from the Dutch East Indies Company. The researches on this expedition became so enchanted by hydrangea, that they could not resist: they had to bring it home with them. And of course hydrangea became an instant hit back home in Europe. In the garden, fresh in the vase, or even dried: hydrangea is everybody’s darling!
Hydrangea is a latin name meaning water (hydro) and pitcher (angeion), if you have a little experience with hydrangeas you know why this name is so fitting: this flower drinks a lot of water in order to grow and make the many flowers blossom. Did you know that the colour of the hydrangea depends on the PH levels in the soil. For example, a soil that is calcareous will turn the colour of the flower from blue to pink.
Ready for some hydrangea inspiration? We’ve got you covered, click here!
