I want to introduce you to a new feature by The Plant Provocateur called The Future Flora Initiative.  I've been using the #futureflorainitiative for a while now.  What does it mean?  Well to me, your Plant Provocateur, it means sharing a new perspective on plants and flowers that I feel deserve some much needed attention.  We tend to take things for granted or just consider them generic/non-specific when we don't look deeper.  If we don't change that way of thinking, what is precious to us will be gone.  I don't know about you, but plants and flowers make me feel so good.  They make me feel 'up' and positive.  They calm me when I'm anxious or in a bad mood.  Their presence also creates a sense of intimate connection to the environment they're in or with people, be it family, friends, or those I love.  It may sound cheesy, but their existence in my life makes me really happy.  They're a great antidote for all the craziness in this world. 

Looking to the future of plants and flowers,  I want to immerse you into this world of beautiful things.  I want to share my experience with you firsthand.  I want to give you a reason to get as excited as I do about something and tell everyone you know or keep it as something of your very own.  So, I'm going to feature plants and flowers I use in my work.  People like to ask..."what's that called?", "Is it real?",  or remark "I've never seen that before."  I figure some of you might be interested in knowing what's on my radar and what you can expect from The Plant Provocateur.  So, from time to time check out the blog and see what's becoming part of the Future Flora Initiative.

Okay so Valentine's Day is coming up.  Here's what I'm thinking...I'm going to get some flowers and make some bouquet action for you to give to someone you love.  That could even be yourself!  My bouquets are not your typical fare.  I like bold, beautiful, and breathtaking floral combinations...taking the ordinary to extraordinary!  I'm also going to have a few super gourmet, handcrafted boxes of Valentine's chocolate, from L.A.'s own, beyond amazing, Confectionally Yours, on hand and at the ready.  

If you're into it, here's what I'm doing...I'm offering up a menu of small, medium, and large bouquets.  Bouquets are designer's choice...that's what makes them unique!  Small bouquets (The Crush) are $45, Medium bouquets (The Lover) are $60, and Large bouquets (The Luxe) are $80. Bouquets may be ordered ahead of time.  Orders will be taken by phone or in person until shop close Friday, February 12th.  Orders are for pick up only. The Plant Provocateur is at 3318 W. Sunset Blvd. in the newly named #silverlakeeast district in Silver Lake.  Shop can be found on the back patio behind Muddy Paw Coffee at 3320 W. Sunset Blvd.  Phone: 323-774-4836.

If last minute is your thing, I will have pre-made bouquets both in-store and outside at the TPP Flower Cart on Saturday, Feb 13th and Sunday, Valentine's Day, Feb 14th.  There will even be a few smaller grab and go bouquets throughout.  These will be available, while supplies last, through Valentine's Day. 

Sunday, January 17th, The Plant Provocateur presents Master Wood Carver Yo Takimoto's Japanese Woodcarving Workshop from 12:30pm-3:30pm.  Come experience his amazingly meditative and relaxing workshop where he'll teach you the art of Japanese woodcarving. 

Workshop participants are provided with wood at the time of the workshop, tools for carving, and instruction.  The workshop session is limited to 8 people.  Class fee is $60 which includes all materials.  Workshop session takes place on the patio at The Plant Provocateur.  Event is 3 hours.  Also, this just in...just in time for El Niño...the patio is now covered during rainy days.  

Payment is required to RSVP.  You can purchase your ticket beforehand in store, on the phone by calling 323-774-4836 during open hours, or from The Plant Provocateur website under the 'Shop' menu. 

Happy New Year Everyone!  So, setting things in motion at The Plant Provocateur for 2016.  I did a little thinking over the holidays and this came to mind...What kind of plant/flower/garden workshops would you, friends of TPP, be interested in attending at The Plant Provocateur on the patio this year?  What would be interesting?  I already have a few things planned but thought it would be cool to hear from you to see what else inquiring minds want to know.  If there's anything I've offered in the past that you'd like offered again, let me know.  In the meantime, I'm interested in knowing what would excite and delight you enough to attend a workshop or two or three.  Operators are standing by.

Alright team.  Here it is.  The Plant Provocateur Holiday Gift Guide.  So, next week is Christmas.  Do you have any plant obsessed people in your life?  Are you, yourself, a 'plant-a-holic'?  Well, The Plant Provocateur shop is your one stop for finding the niftiest of the niftiest plant-centric gifts around.  And if you're not plant crazy but are looking for a unique, stylish, thoughtful gift...I might have a little something for you.  Check it out....the exotically elegant Citrine Candle from L.A.'s very own The Potion Shop.  Made of coconut wax, burns for up to 60 hours and its wood wick makes the most amazing cracklin' fireplace sound.  For the seed freak...organic Mixed Herbs in a designer capsule form.  Plant the capsules, water, and boom...Basil, Parsley, and Cilantro will appear.  Need some garden tools...what about the futuristic garden spork...trowel and garden fork in one.  How about a new way to display your floral endeavors?  The glass wall vase is a vertical vision.  Stylin' and profilin'.

What about the mod design of this X3 Watering Can?  Lovin' it!  You would too.  Comes in Green, Blue, and Red.  The Plant Provocateur Gift Card also makes the perfect gift.  Perfect for sampling what The Plant Provocateur has to offer.  Anyone on your list into essential oils?  Well, have I got a gift for you.  Chapter Thirty Three's Compact Oil Burner is a cool design of flask, stand, tea light, and sample lavender essential oil.  Oh, and can we talk about what's really hot at The Plant Provocateur right now...it's the stylishly sophisticated Cup O'Flora self-watering glass gardens.  They're flying out the door.  Super chic, unique, and easy to care for! 

Continuing with the aromatherapy vibe I've got the fine wine of Palo Santo cone incense by Persephenie.  Seriously, people have been raving about the sophisticated scent these Santos cones burn!  Also featured at The Plant Provocateur are these design award winning misting essential oil diffusers.  You fill with water, add drops of your favorite essential oil or blend, and the diffuser beautifully emits a mist of olfactory delight.  Diffuser controls let you run them for 8 hours, at 20 minute on/off intervals, or until the water reservoir is empty, at which point the device automatically shuts off.  Also featured on the list are amazing essential oil blends known as The Upper, The Downer, and The Way Down.  Found within are fragrances ranging from Cedarwood, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Bergamot, Clary Sage, and Vetiver to name a few.  Each blend's scent will transport you to distance shores and restore you with a sense of blissful relaxation. Lastly, for some simple aroma diffusion, the Japanese hinoki pine wood diffuser by Hinoco is a beautiful design choice.  Just place drops of oil on top of the diffuser, let them soak in, and the diffuser disperses the scent organically.  Added design feature... The Hinoco diffusers are outfitted with a hollow compartment for storing your essential oil bottles that are sized to fit.  

So, that list, along with many other great gift ideas are currently in stock at The Plant Provocateur shop Silver Lake.  Shop hours are T-Sat 11-6 and Sunday 12-5.  Holiday hours are Thurs. 12/24 11-2. Fri. 12/25-Mon. 12/28 Closed For Christmas Weekend. Thurs. 12/31 11-3, Fri. 1/1-Mon.1/4 Closed For New Year's Weekend.   Online Orders for Christmas shipping end Mon. 12/21 at 12noon. 

Happy Holidays From The Plant Provocateur.

So this is it!  The last weekend before Christmas.  Do you need some floral fabulousness in your holiday lives?  Well bring it on down to The Plant Provocateur shop and get some holiday floral flair.  People were really digging the bouquets last weekend, so here's another chance to get yours!

I'll be street-side in front of Muddy Paw Coffee at 3320 W. Sunset Blvd. next door to Night + Market Thai Restaurant.  I'll be running a little flower cart stand from 12:30p-4:30p so that passers-by can get a chance to experience The Plant Provocateur.  I'll have $5-$20 bouquets plus other holiday horticulture $20 and up.   

It's the final holiday push, so if you need to get something unique, beautiful, and thoughtful for someone in your life come check out The Plant Provocateur.  Remember, you'll be supporting a small, independent, community friendly business in Silver Lake. 

Happy Holidays from The Plant Provocateur!

Closing out The Plant Provocateur Holiday Workshop series is the Kokedama 'Japanese String Garden' Workshop taking place on Sunday, Dec. 20th from 10:30am-12noon.  Want to make an ultra cool holiday gift for yourself or someone in need of some plant love?  Come on over to my holiday workshop and learn to make your own string moss garden vessel planted with a super sweet Angel Vine. 

Kokedama are chic and unique plant gifts.  You can hang them in the air or display them on a flat pedestal.  This workshop will teach you how to create, build, and care for these amazing individual gardens of visual deliciousness. 

This is a hands-on workshop so come prepared to get your hands dirty.  Each participant leaves with their very own Kokedama 'Japanese String Garden'. 

The workshop takes place on the patio at The Plant Provocateur shop in Silver Lake.  Workshop fee is $60.  This includes materials and instruction.  Workshop is limited to 8 people.  Reservations may be purchased in store or online from The Plant Provocateur 'Shop' menu.

The Plant Provocateur is located at 3318 W. Sunset Blvd., in Silver Lake.  Cross street is Micheltorena.  Patio entrance is located next door to Night+Market Thai restaurant and behind Muddy Paw Coffee at 3320 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026.  Sunday metered street parking is free!

As part of The Plant Provocateur Holiday Workshop series, Master Wood Carver Yo Takimoto returns for his final Japanese Woodcarving Workshop of the year. Yo's workshop is a Plant Provocateur favorite!  He gives woodcarving workshops both in Japan and Los Angeles.  We are super excited to have him for a return engagement.  He did a brilliant workshop for us before Thanksgiving and offered to come back for a holiday event.  He teaches you the meditative and relaxing experience of Japanese woodcarving.

Each workshop participant is provided with a choice of wood at the time of the workshop, tools for carving, and instruction.  The experience is truly meditative!  Only 1 session will be offered next Saturday, December 12th from 12:30pm-3:30pm.  Previous workshops have sold out so get your ticket today

The workshop session is limited to 8 people.  Class fee is $60 includes all materials.  Makes a really cool gift!!

Workshop session take place on the patio at The Plant Provocateur shop and is a 3 hour event.

Payment is required to RSVP.  Stop by The Plant Provocateur or call 323-774-4836 during open hours to secure your reservation. You can also purchase from The Plant Provocateur website under the 'Shop' menu.  Just click above.

The Plant Provocateur welcomes back, for a return engagement, esteemed Master Wood Carver Yo Takimoto!  Yo gives woodcarving workshops both in Japan and Los Angeles.  Each workshop participant is provided with a choice of wood at the time of the workshop, tools for carving, and instruction.  The experience is truly meditative!  Only 1 session will be offered.  Sunday, November 22nd, from 12:30pm-3:30pm.  The last time the workshop was offered back in June, two sessions were offered, and both sold out!  So make your reservation today!

The workshop session is limited to 8 people.  Class fee is $60 includes all materials.  Makes a really cool gift!!

Workshop session take place on the patio at The Plant Provocateur shop and is a 3 hour event.

Payment is required to RSVP.  Stop by The Plant Provocateur or call 323-774-4836 during open hours to secure your reservation. 

It's back!  This Sunday, September 20th from 10:30am -11:30am is the return of The Plant Provocateur Succulent Workshop.  The last Succulent Workshop was a huge hit.  If you couldn't attend before, now's your chance.  I will be teaching techniques and tricks for taking one succulent and making more.  I will simplify methods for growing your own.  The workshop covers leaf, cutting, and seed propagation.  Perfect for the beginner, as well as the novice.

The workshop is hands-on so be prepared to get dirty.  Each participant will leave with their own tray of started cuttings and a packet of seeds.  I will also have a few familiar succulents on hand, as well as a few varieties you may have never seen before.  Oh, and I will also have what I consider to be one of the best Succulent growing books on hand for purchase! 

The workshop is this Sunday, Sept. 20th from 10:30am-11:30am at The Plant Provocateur shop on the patio.  Workshop fee is $20.  Workshop is limited to 8 people.  A few spots are left.  Reservations may be purchased beforehand by clicking this SHOP link or by calling 323-774-4836 during shop hours Thurs-Sat 11-6 for credit card purchase over the phone.  Makes a cool gift!  The Plant Provocateur is located at 3318 W. Sunset Blvd., in Silver Lake.  Cross street is Micheltorena.  Patio is located next door to Night + Market Song Thai Restaurant and behind Muddy Paw Coffee at 3320 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026.  Sunday metered parking is FREE!

Kokedama: The Japanese art of the 'String Garden'.  Have you seen them?  Cool moss garden vessels are created to host whatever plant you can imagine.  These living sculptures can hang suspended in the air or sit themselves elegantly like a bonsai on a flat pedestal. 

The Plant Provocateur is offering a special workshop teaching you how to create, build, and care for these amazing individual gardens of visual deliciousness.  This is a hands-on workshop so come prepared to get dirty.  Each participant gets to take home their very own Kokedama 'String Garden'. 

Workshop takes place Sunday, September 13th from 10:00am-11:30am at The Plant Provocateur shop on the patio.  Workshop fee is $60.  This covers all materials and instruction.  Workshop is limited to 8 people.  Reservations may be purchased beforehand by clicking on the following link: RESERVATIONS or by calling 323-774-4836 during open hours (T-Sat. 11-6 or Sun 12-5) for credit card purchase over the phone. 

Got Drought?  No, problem.  The Plant Provocateur is here to tell you about chic, unique, low maintenance plants that are the perfect solution for lowering your water usage and will increase your style profile.  This FREE talk also defines 'Drought Tolerant', discusses how to prepare your environment for drought, and how to keep your plants thriving in these dry times.  Whether your plants are inside or out, The Plant Provocateur has tips for you.

The talk takes place Sunday, August 30th at The Plant Provocateur on the back patio.  The time is 10:30am - 11:30am.  Attendees must register with The Plant Provocateur to secure a seat for the talk.  Seats are limited.  Click this link to register.  When you get here be sure to grab yourself a tasty beverage and snack at Muddy Paw Coffee and get comfortable!

So, this week I've had a lot of customers coming into The Plant Provocateur shop asking about which plants are pet safe.  My general response is usually 'everything' is toxic to some degree to dogs and cats.  So today when Katy (her real name!) came in to find out which houseplants in the shop wouldn't make her cat sick, I gave her my 'everything' answer.  My rule of thumb is that all plants can be toxic either inducing:

1. Mild symptoms of diarrhea, dry mouth, hyper-salivation, upset stomach, and/or light vomiting.  These symptoms can be caused by saps in the plant that can burn mucous membranes in the mouth and stomach.  If the saps don't do that they'll irritate other parts of the digestion system leading to some seriously toxic poop.  (Yes, I said it.)

or

2. Severe symptoms such as stomach bleeding, heavy vomiting, seizures, even death.  These symptoms are caused by wicked poisons in the sap or plant parts that really cause problems when ingested, not only burning mucous membranes but getting into the bloodstream and doing more serious/fatal damage.

Well, while having this discussion with Katy, I called up my old friends at the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) on the old computer machine to see what they had to say.  Turns out they have their own list of what's toxic and what our pet kids can go to town on and eat with little or no toxic reaction.  Check out this link to their listings: ASPCA Non-Toxic and Toxic Plant List.  Be sure to click on the plant name to see if they classify it as toxic or non-toxic.

So, after reviewing their list here's what I've got growing on and ready to purchase at The Plant Provocateur shop that not only will be safe for your pets (by the ASPCA's standards), but also can add style to your livin' profile. 

A great, pet safe, easy care, super cool plant family are the Bromeliads, also known as the steroidal, colorful cousins of air plants aka Tillandsias, and has The Plant Provocateur got 'em for ya!  Super tropical looking, low maintenance, produce cool flowers, come in a variety of colors and sizes, as well as being just...beautiful!  How about the succulent and groovy Peperomia with their thick plump leaves of smooth, patterned, and/or color splashed leaf finishes.  Very rad for your pad!  Similarly stylin' are the Calathea/Murranta group with their art deco/nouveau/tropicalia-ish patterns, colors and textures.  Très exotique!  Palms are good candidates too.  The ultra glam Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) with her fashionably fresh foliage and pretty pleated texture is a cool choice.  Even the majestic low light Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana), not pictured, is a beauty in tall indoor spaces.  Very chic. 

Oh, and ferns too!  A word about Ferns.  Most ferns are listed as non-toxic on the ASPCA list except for Asparagus Fern, commonly referred to as the Foxtail Fern.  Just watch out for that guy!  So, if you're looking for something to bring the beauty to your living situation that won't harm the pups and the kittehs, come on down to The Plant Provocateur Shop and check out these plants and a few others that fit the non-toxic bill.  Oh, and a big shout out to the woman, the myth, the legend, Katy for putting the spotlight on this subject for me today. We love our pets and we love our plants!  Let's bring them together in sweet harmony.

You've asked for it...another cool workshop is coming your way from The Plant Provocateur.  It's Tillandsia time!  They're hot, hip, and bring the tropical glamour wherever they grow!  Your Plant Provocateur will be putting on a workshop introducing you to many of these highly sought after, easy care, air plants.  The workshops will feature a show and tell of different types of tillandsia, a hands-on examination by each participant of the plants themselves, cool ways to display them, and focus on how to care for them so they live, last, and look amazing! 

The Plant Provocateur will have some beautiful Tillandsias , as well as, one of the best books on Tillandsia care, on hand for purchase.  So here are the details.  The workshop will be held Sunday, July 26th from 10:30am-11:30am at The Plant Provocateur shop on the patio.  Workshop is limited to 8 people.  Workshop fee is $20.  Reservations must be purchased beforehand either at The Plant Provocateur shop or by calling 323-774-4836 during open hours (T-Sat 11-6 and Sun 12-5).  The Plant Provocateur is located at 3318 W. Sunset Blvd. in Silver Lake.  Cross street is Micheltorena.  Patio is located next door to Night + Market Song Thai restaurant and behind #muddypawcoffee at 3320 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026.  BTW...street meter parking is FREE on Sundays!  Also, the last workshop sold out fast, so book today!