President’s Message:
This month, Mark and Julie had the pleasure of traveling to Seattle to connect with our dear friends and colleagues, Kevin and Michelle of Seattle Plant Company. It was an inspiring trip filled with fresh ideas, beautiful designs, and a renewed appreciation for the unique artistry of interior plantscaping in the Pacific Northwest.
Visit to the Iconic Spheres
No trip to Seattle would be complete without experiencing the Amazon Spheres. Stepping inside is like entering another world—lush, tropical, and alive with creativity. The carefully curated plant displays bring nature into the heart of innovation, offering employees and visitors alike a living, breathing reminder of the power of biophilic design.
While we were there, we were fortunate to witness the blooming of the Corpse Flower—a rare and extraordinary event that only happens once every 5 to 7 years. Its striking size and uniqueness made the visit even more unforgettable. This remarkable plant originates from regions of Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. Its genus, Amorphophallus, is fascinating both in scale and rarity. The common name, ‘corpse flower,’ refers to the putrid scent of its bloom—often reminiscent of rotting meat—which serves the important purpose of attracting insect pollinators. Most of its life is spent underground or in a leafing cycle, and it can take 7 to 10 years before transitioning to its rare flowering cycle. For horticulturists, witnessing such a bloom is truly a dream come true! Thousands of locals and visitors eagerly waited in line to see this phenomenon. In fact, the Spheres were open 24/7 during the bloom so that everyone had the chance to experience it. Such a fascinating and unforgettable event to witness!
Pacific Northwest Plantscaping
The Pacific Northwest has a distinctive approach to interior greenery. From towering foliage to creative moss walls, there’s an organic boldness to the designs that mirror the region’s natural landscapes. The design is very conducive of the Pacific Northwest, many built in planters with unique plant species such as Norfolk Pines, unusual philodendron, ferns and unique species. We had the privilege of visiting one of their most established clients: Amazon, where several floors of built-in planters, additional overhead lights which added an amazing Biophilic workspace for thousands of employees. One of the most inspiring projects ever witnessed in our career. We came away with inspiration to bring even more depth, texture, and sustainability into our own projects here at Plantscapers.
Amazon’s Plant Library-one of a kind!
In this one-of-a-kind library, staff can “check out” a small, beautifully potted plant and bring it to their desk for a week. Each plant is carefully labeled with its name and type, making it not only a source of joy but also a chance to learn more about plant varieties.
The idea is simple but powerful: employees get to experience the calming and restorative benefits of greenery at their workspace, even if just temporarily. Judging by the smiles and enthusiasm, it’s clear this initiative is a big hit—employees absolutely love it!
Friendship & Collaboration
Beyond the plants, this trip was a reminder of the incredible people who make up our industry. Kevin and Michelle aren’t just peers—they are cherished friends and trusted associates. Together, we share best practices, exchange new ideas, and support one another in growing thriving companies that enrich people’s lives through plants.
Looking Ahead
Visits like this fuel our passion and spark innovation. We’re grateful for the partnerships and friendships that continue to elevate our industry. Plantscapers is committed to bringing these ideas back home to better serve you—our valued clients—with creative, health-focused, and inspiring plantscapes.
