apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

• Root Stock & Quade sent us word that they are blogging a few ideas for exciting Valentine's Day bouquets (that's their picture above). Because the color red is at such a premium, and therefore more expensive, they say you can get more for your money by going with the non-traditional colors and flowers. We love how the chocolate tones in those tulips go with the blue hyacinths.

photo by Randi Lynn Beach for The New York Times


• Just in time for Valentine's Day, the NY Times contemplates what the true definition of a 'green flower' is, from location to growing practices and working conditions. The Times article link comes via Amy Stewart's blog.


• The Brooklyn Botanic Garden will have a Saturday workshop on Feb 23rd to teach us cramped urban gardeners how to grow grapes. If grapes aren't for you, then maybe you'd like to learn about orchids, houseplants, brownstone garden planning, or any of the other courses they are offering this winter - just click on the link.


• Garden Rant points to an article that shows Brits may have sipped from the Barbara Corcoran Kool-Aid and are paving over their front lawns to make driveways (just as we reported she offered this advice to Queens, NY residents). The article points out, though, that if everyone does this in order to profit, the overall value of the street may decline for lack of greenery, among other things.




• 
  And Flatbush Gardener also champions the greenery by pointing out a study that shows crime rates were lower in urban areas that had more landscaping. So maybe that neighborhood with all the parking and no greenery would then have to deal with higher crime rates...

matt at apartment therapy dot com