Big indoor trees
13 February 2012
In San Francisco they’re keen on indoor trees! Landscape designer and nursery owner, Flora Grubb has picked out her favourite indoor varieties, advising using mature specimens for installations and reminding us that many grow to 8 feet or more.
She says all of her picks will tolerate dry air, confined root state and lower indoor light levels though all of them love indirect light. They are also all pretty resistant to pests. Weekly watering and occasional pruning are all that’s required. Every eFIG members’ dream then.
Flora comments, “They all grow with ease, blending in while standing out sculpturally like a favourite work of art.”
Here’s her list:
FICUS: particularly the ‘fiddle-leaf’ lyrata ; Ficus maclellandii, Amstell King and Alii.
PALMS: a classic, the Kentia Palm conjuring up by gone eras – very Downton Abbey. Or the Chinese palm Rhapis multifida also known as the finger palm or the larger Rhapis humilis, the slender lady palm. She suggests using tall specimens to create a small palm forest – very refined.
SCHEFFLERA actinophylla: a 70’s favourite which reminds Flora of the Marimekko era which has of course had a revival. Amate and Amate Soleil are favourites.
AFROCARPUS gracilior: the fern pine for its grace and ability to open out into clouds of soft, dark green narrow leaves.
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Ficus lyrata |
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Afrocarpus gracilior |
