The Glory Of Succulents: Ornamentals Of Distinction

Texture & Color: The Distinction Of Succulents

Succulents. Distinctive desert plants that are grown as ornamentals due to their striking and unusual appearance. Distinctive, indeed…

The definition of the Succulent plant is one that has “Fleshy tissues that conserve moisture”. In botany, plants known as Succulents or “Fat Plants” refer to having parts that are “thick”, “Fleshy” and “swollen”. Unique, thick and plump leaves of style. Nature’s answer to a plant life that requires the need to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. Of interest, these low maintenance succulents can also store water within various parts of their structure, including the leaves, stems and roots. There are four categories of Succulents which refer to the location of water storage: Leaf Succulents, Stem Succulents, Root Succulents and lastly, Caudiciform Succulents (which store water at soil level in stems or roots). Of additional interest, in horticultural use, the term “Succulent” often excludes “Cacti”. However, in botanical terminology, cacti are considered succulents. Interesting. Perhaps it is best stated that “virtually all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti”. Who knew? Certainly, beyond what is presented here, there is a great saturation of information linked to these horticultural plants of interest.

The history of the succulent is said to date back over 25 million years. Within the last 5,000 years, additional succulents of great style have appeared at the surface of our world. Ancient history stated, there are over 10,000 species of succulents that have adapted to varied weather and growing conditions. Again, who knew? For certain, these old-world plants that thrive in full sun and arid conditions provide us with beauty and distinction to grace our world with.

Clusters of deep mauve, magenta, green, blue, taupe and gray succulents are an absolute delight for our visual senses. Restrained beauty in rock gardens, borders and containers, succulents are a hardy “bloom” that adds color and dramatic texture with a seeming exotic flair. Scale, texture, color and interest. The glory of the succulent, revealed…

Desert Plants Of Distinctive Appearance: Succulents

And of the incorporation as a decorative element within the interior? Again, delight. When tastefully arranged, the rosettes of the succulent world are of long lasting stature, indeed. Vibrant and muted color with a luscious appeal.

Ornamentals Of Delight: The Allure Of Succulents Within The Interior

And of its perhaps unexpected appearance at celebrations and events? A memorable moment paired with nature, incorporated into a moment of a lifetime. Life’s joys of nature, indeed…

Wedding Bliss With Succulent Style

Celebrations WIth The Beauty Of Succulents

Succulent Style: The Adornment Within The Interior

Consider with appreciation the simplicity of nature that the succulent offers to our exterior and interiors. Survival strategies paired with unique ranges of shapes, colors and textures that enhance our interior and exterior spaces, the beauty of the succulent is certainly long lasting. Distinction with long lasting glory, indeed…
Kristin

Exotic Delight: The “Palm House” & The Interior Embellishment With “Palms”

Distinction On Display: The Glory Of The Palm & The Beauty Of The “Palm House”

Elegance paired with stunning architecture: the “Palm House”. Iconic Remnants of the grand Victorian era, “Palm Houses” are formal glass and iron greenhouses, of stately stature, towering over the enclosed lush, green and exotic world of palms. Grand symbols of an era of elegance, for certain. Established to specialize in the growing of palms and other tropical and subtropical plants, the “Palm House” provides a visual warmth to our senses in acknowledging their requirement for constant heat to duplicate the natural environment for these lush green treasures. Tropical ambience paired with Victorian structures. Originally built as status symbols in Victorian Britain, these ornate glass and iron structures grace the landscapes they are situated upon. In time, the appearance of these houses of palms would go beyond Britain’s boundaries. Constructed by iron makers, the architectural importance of these houses of “Palms” deserve our appreciation. Large scale structures with an interior iron framework, cast iron truss work paired with glass roofs are a vision to behold. These temperate houses with mezzanine walkways and spiral staircases are stunning and remarkable architecture in glass and iron. Certainly brought forth by great glass pioneers and iron artisans of the era.

Perhaps initial private conservatories of greenhouses were the predecessors of housing exotic, non-native flora before the construction of the grand fabrication of “Palm Houses” that were created for the public’s viewing. Either way, the curvaceous exteriors paired with a steamy interior is a delight in architecture and in the appreciation of tropical foliage that fills our world…

Archived Images: The “Palm House”

“Inspired by Chatsworth, and by the eager searching of the times, Decimus Burton and Richard Turner designed the much larger Palm House in London’s Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, where they were the supervising architects. Palm House is 363 feet long by 100 feet wide and rises to a height of 66 feet. Besides educating visitors in the natural world, one of the functions of the English greenhouses at the time was to display the exotic range of plants and flowers that flourished in the British Empire”
– G.E. Kidder Smith/Looking at Architecture

Architectural Distinction: The Palm House

An Architectural Jewel Paired With Divine Green Palms

Botanical Structures Of Elegance: The “Palm House”

Spiral Staircase Amidst Lush Green: The Palm House

Botanical Distinction Of Enormous Diversity: The Palm

And of the inclusion of the palm within the interior? A natural addition of style, for certain. The appreciation of the palm plant within the interior brings thoughts of warm breezes and fresh air. The palm itself, classified as Arecaceae, is from the botanical family of perrennial lianas, shrubs and trees called Palmae or Palmaceae. With leaves that have a “tubular sheath at the base that usually splits open on one side at maturity”. The common representation is said to be that of a solitary shoot ending in a crown of leaves. Beauty in a crown of leaves, for certain. The trunk itself is said to develop an axillary bud at a leaf node near the base from which a new shoot emerges. Continual emergence of divine growth. Abundant throughout the tropics, palms are distinguished by their “large, compound, evergreen leaves arranged at the top of an unbranched stem”. The historical use and appeal of the exotic palms throughout history validates the importance of this grand plant. Palms have been honored as symbols of victory, peace and even fertility. Perhaps the visual association today of the palm as a symbol of relaxation sets our spirits a flutter when surrounded by the mass of tropical bliss. Peaceful tranquility in green, for certain.

Interior Decoration With “Palms”

Embellishment Of Exotic Cultivation: The “Palm” In The Interior

“Palms” In Bold Wall Papered Statements Of Botanical Style

The Allure & Delight Of The “Palm”

Consider the addition of palms within the interior world. Inclusions of the palm plant itself or merely an emblem of the palm are perhaps lasting representations of calm and tranquil settings. A tropical “punch” in shades of green. Lush beauty of exotic delight. Eternal “Summer” embellishment within the interior, for certain…

Kristin