We’re not the only ones who prefer spending most of our time outside once the weather warms up, so do our indoor plants—our indoor plants also appreciate the protection from frost and cold by being brought in before Autumn's first frost too. Bringing indoor plants outside for the summer is a generally simple process, but there are some guidelines to follow that’ll make the transition easier for you both. Here are Ben's expert tips on transitioning your indoor greens to the great outdoors. Read on to learn more and discover our six favorite indoor-to-outdoor plant varieties.
1. Citrus Trees: “First, just about every indoor plant can be an outdoor plant, but it must be transitioned from one growing environment to the other. This process is called acclimating and can take one to two weeks of daily attention to do it successfully,” Kerry Ann says. For instance, citrus trees can handle full sun, but only after beginning in the semi-shade for a week or so.
2. Bismarckia Palms: Indeed, “the plant’s new location must accommodate the plant’s specific light needs, whether that’s full sun, dappled light, or shade, but not before spending time in partial sun to get used to the light” Kerry Ann explains. Bismarckia palms are another plant that thrives in full sun and summer heat.
3. Jade: Kerry Ann reminds that “sunlight is incredibly strong, and just like people, plants will develop a sunburn when they’re exposed to too much sun too quickly.” Starting your indoor plants in a shady section of your patio or garden and gradually moving them to sunnier spots in the garden is the best way to keep them healthy long term.
4. Alocasia: Pests and weather are two other factors to consider when moving indoor plants outdoors, so be sure to check the leaves and soil of your new patio plants while they’re outside. And even though many plants can withstand wind and rain, some (like the Alocasia) may be damaged by summer storms.
5. String of Pearls: Succulents like the string of pearls thrive outdoors in the summer, since they’re built to withstand heat and sun. With that said, remember that even the most hardy houseplants will get thirstier during the hotter months (just like we do!), so don’t forget to adjust your watering schedule to accommodate their summertime needs.
6. Bird of Paradise: Bringing indoor plants outdoors often results in faster growth, more vibrant flowers, and more lush fill-in, so eye-catching varieties like the Bird of Paradise will really flourish!
Ben's Garden Exhibits in the Big Apple
Our car ride on morning to the Javitz Center in New York City.
@benbusko on his walk home. "The Vessel" in the new Hudson Yards.
Our 2019 Fall/ Winter Ben's Garden Curated Exhibition.
The NY NOW International Home & Gift Show
It’s beginning...
Be our guest... Visit a very-carefully, curated capsule collection Ben’s Garden #2348, at the New York NOW International Home and Gift Show this Sunday through Wednesday.
The NY NOW International Home & Gift Show
Ben's Garden Opens In Atlanta. An incredible Ben’s Garden Atlanta Market, explore the Ben’s Garden curated new, Ben’s best and the must-haves.
See you today! Ben’s Garden Atlanta Americasmart; building 2, floor 1, High Design in suite 121.
BTS: Opening morning for Ben’s Garden and Ben’s Papers at the @americasmartatl International Home & Gift Show last week. Our bestselling and new coasters are our secret weapon and sparkle cleaned, and our fine fragrance #candle collection is front and center to continue to lead as @bensgarden rockstars. It’s hard to tell from the photo, but the walls were painting in the most beautiful warm grey hue, called “Metropolitan,” by Benjamin Moore- color of the year for 2019.
Ben’s Garden Candles. Artisanal perfume grade fragrances containing essential oils to deliver an authentic and a true scent. Painstakingly designed to fully and evenly scent any room. Hand poured in the United States, delivered in a smart stripped frosted glass vessel with a lead free wick. A carefully crafted soy bend wax provide a generous clean and refined experience. Designed in New York City, poured in California.
And just like that... poof, Atlanta is packed up 📦 safe and sound., and we’re on our way back home to 🍎 New York City. Learn about the Americasmart Atlanta: https://www.americasmart.com/markets/july-gift-home-rug/#/
The High Line is a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. Saved from demolition by neighborhood residents and the City of New York, the High Line opened in 2009 as a hybrid public space where visitors experience nature, art, and design. The best way to experience the High Line is to simply wander, though as you explore, you may want to linger at some of the park’s most distinctive and magical spots listed below.
Pictured above: THE VESSEL. Comprised of 154 intricately interconnecting flights of stairs -- almost 2,500 individual steps and 80 landings – the nearly one mile of vertical climb offers remarkable views of the city, the river and beyond. This interactive artwork was imagined by Thomas Heatherwick and Heatherwick Studio as a focal point where people can enjoy new perspectives of the city and one another from different heights, angles and vantage points. It was made in Italy and sent by boat to Manhattan in 100's of pieces.
Pictured above: CROSSROADS. In this section—the widest of the High Line—the path makes a pivot from its north-south orientation to one running east-to-west. There are a wealth of furniture options here, including the signature High Line peel-up X benches, making this section of the park an open, social hub and an area for art installations.
Pictured above: GANSEVOORT WOODLAND. In warm months, vines cascade over the railings here to form a lush curtain visible to passers-by. On the street below is the red brick building of the Meatpacking District’s last operating meatpacking plant, and the dramatic glass hotel, The Standard High Line, is directly north.
Pictured above: CHELSEA THICKET. Here, the original steel train tracks run along the pathway between the dogwoods, bottlebrush buckeye, hollies, and other dense shrubs and trees—a magical convergence of the industrial and the natural.
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 59 children in the United States today. There is no cure.
We know that there is not one autism, but many subtypes, most influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. The ways in which people with autism learn, think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. Some people with ASD may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently.
Several factors may influence the development of autism, and it is often accompanied by sensory sensitivities and medical issues as well as health challenges such as anxiety, depression and attention issues.
In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association merged four distinct autism diagnoses into one umbrella diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They included autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome.
Typical to strong verbal language skills and intellectual ability distinguish Asperger syndrome from other forms of autism. Asperger syndrome generally involves difficulty with social interactions, restricted interests, desire for sameness. Strengths can include remarkable focus and persistence, aptitude for recognizing patterns, great attention to detail. Challenges can include hypersensitivities (to lights, sounds, tastes, etc.), inability to recognize nonverbal social clues, uncoordinated or clumsy movements, as well as anxiety and depression.
History is full of people who many consider to be or have been somewhere on the autism spectrum. Here to name a few: Hans Christian Andersen, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Thomas Jefferson, Steve Jobs, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Jerry Seinfeld and Andy Warhol.
The perseverance and strength of many people with autism has enabled them to overcome their challenges, and move forward to make unique and significant contributions to society, changing our world in extraordinary ways and adding beauty and knowledge to our lives. Your understanding and support for those on the Spectrum will motivate them to live their most happy and fulfilled lives, integrated into our diverse world
For additional information and resources visit autismspeaks.com- the world's leading Autism science organization. To make a donation you may also visit autismspeaks.com.
Building the Ben's Garden New York Now Exhibit in New York City. Spring 2019.
When exhibitors arrive to the Javits Convention Center in New York City, you're simply greeting with a cement floor. a very dirty, cement floor. Thus our job begins. First the floor and walls of the booth are put in place. cleaned, primed and painted.
Building the Ben's Garden New York Now Exhibit in New York City. Treats from SoHo's Balthazar for an early morning training panel with Ben, with the sales entire organization from the Harper Group.
Very popular items at the Show; Ben's new Fine Fragrances Scented Candle Collection of 9 scents and our copper quote coasters.
I remember reading a list once about the top 25 cardinal sins of interior design homeowners make, and situated somewhere near the top was fake plants. Fast forward to the present, when designers and tastemakers are advocating for "simple flora" or "artificial plants" with increasing frequency. Is it true? Have fake plants turned the corner from faux pas to fashionable?
It's an appealing prospect for those of us who seemingly lack the innate ability to keep real plants alive. Sure, we tell ourselves it's because the rooms in our house are too dark (not always truth), or that we simply can't afford that gorgeous fiddle leaf fig tree that dominates picture-perfect IG vignettes. Technology has come a long, long way from the super-fake-looking silk plants our grandmas had, well, everywhere. Advancements mean that fake plants boast amazingly realistic texture, color and, depending on the quality of the fake plant, even reflective properties. This is particularly true of plastic plants, which can be created using molds of real plants. Some are even filled with foam for an ultra-realistic textile quality.
A major benefit to plastic plants, though, is that many of the trendy house plants in modern home décor kind of look plastic to begin with. Succulents are a fantastic example — the real ones already look fake, so the fake ones automatically look real. And, honestly, who doesn't love the look of succulents? So let's dig in.
About Real Air Plants: On paper, air plants sound like a dream for low-maintenance types. But if you've ever owned an air plant, you know they don't quite live up to the hype of being indestructible. Most air plants sold in shops are members of the Tillandsia genus. They are epiphytes that cling to the crooks and branches of trees in Central and South America, the West Indies, and southern United States. There are varieties adapted to grow in rainforests, mountains, deserts and swamps, but what they all have in common is that they grow without rooting in soil. The ASPCA doesn't have an entry about air plants, but other sources indicate that they're likely non-toxic to pets.
Air Plant Care: Air plants need bright, indirect light in order to thrive long-term. Water your air plant every two weeks. Early in the day, submerge and soak the plant in tap water for 20-30 minutes, then remove it, gently shake it off, and put it upside down on a towel in a bright location. It is important that it is able to fully dry out in less than 4 hours.
Game Answer: (Left is faux, right photograph is of living air plants).
About Staghorn Ferns: Staghorn ferns (Platycerium spp.) have an out-of-this world appearance. They get their name because their fronds look like the antlers of a staghorn deer. The plant bears two types of fronds: The sterile fronds are flat, round, and located at the base of the fern, and the fertile fronds are irregular, lobed, and usually ascending from the plant.
Care for Staghorn Ferns: Growing staghorn ferns is easy. If they get low to medium light and moderate moisture, they will thrive. In fact, whether grown indoors or outside, provide moderate moisture and a humus rich medium when growing staghorn ferns. Outdoor plants should be located in partial shade or low light conditions for the best growth, while indoor plants need bright indirect light. Good staghorn fern care requires frequent watering but allow the plant medium to dry out thoroughly in between.
Game Answer: (Trick answer; Both left and right photographs is of staghorn fern plants are faux).
About Echeveria: It is fitting that one of the most brilliantly colored and strikingly beautiful kinds of succulents, those in the genus Echeveria, are named for an artist. Atanasio Echeverria y Godoy was an intrepid 18th-century botanical artist who spent 17 years recording thousands of specimens while on expeditions in his home country Mexico, as well as in northern Central America and California.
Echeveria Care: While they like bright light, echeverias should not be planted where they will be subject to unrelenting hot summer sun, which can burn and permanently scar their leaves. Water the plants thoroughly and allow them to completely dry out before you water again. As with all succulents, use free-draining soil and never, never allow your plants to sit in soggy dirt. Echeverias are generally quite easy to grow and problem free.
Game Answer: (Left photograph is of living succulent plant and right is faux).
Faux varieties of all of the above and many more gorgeous specimens are for sale at our Ben's Garden retail store in SoHo, New York. You can simply ring 646-850-3950 for assistance or email soho@bensgarden.com. We're happy to be of assistance.
The Ben's Garden SoHo Opening, Friday Evening, October 26th, 2018: Behind The Scenes. From 7pm to 9, family, friends and an excited crowd celebrated the official opening of Ben's Garden at 42 Grand Street in New York City. Touring the store, guests were discovering Ben's inspiration behind the pieces he designs and his thoughtful process of how he collects the pieces to sell, all while enjoying chilled Rosé, Magnolia Bakery sweets and laughter.
How many people does it take to tie a bow-tie. Officially for the record, Ben has worn a bow-tie on several occasions. But his new, fancy bow-tie was officially & particularly super-duper tricky. So Mr. Ben running late as normal, had 4 friends including Ralph Lauren's finest assistance, and no yet no success. The event couldn't hold any longer. Practice makes perfect, next time Ben.
Ben's Garden SoHo: 42 Grand Street, New York, NY 10013. At the intersection with West Broadway.
A candid moment of Ben Busko taking a deep breath walking in, in front of a snowfall of marshmallows. Preparing to greet his store packed full, wall to wall, with excitement, laughter and the beginning of an unforgettable memory.
A special thanks to everyone who made this moment unforgettable, notably Mira Busko, Kristin Ferrara-Caldwell, Fernando Martinez, Marcus Lemonis, Bobbi Lemonis and the Ben's Garden Team and our incredible, unbelievably loyal customers. A heartfelt thank you to you all. I am very grateful. BB
It all started back in 1992, when Ben Busko was just 8 years old, selling decoupage inspired by his garden. Armed with a paint brush, Ben developed his sensibility of style and his technique piece by piece, using imagery, colorful palettes and words in entirely new ways; and so Ben's Garden was born.
Today, you can discover his refreshing and captivating Collection of unique home, garden, gift & charm in our celebrated Ben's Garden shops in New York, more than 1800 high-end boutiques across the United States and internationally, in every time zone and on every continent. Whether in San Francisco, Sao Paulo or Shanghai, you'll be certain to find a warm smile, attention to detail and an attentive, exceptional Ben's Garden experience.
©2018 Ben's Garden, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Other copyrights or trademarks are the property of their respective owners and used with permission.
Ben's Garden SoHo: 42 Grand Street, New York, NY 10013 at the corner with West Broadway. Ring: 888-922-7646
It all started back in 1992, when Ben Busko was just 8 years old, selling decoupage inspired by his garden. Armed with a paint brush, Ben developed his sensibility of style and his technique piece by piece, using imagery, colorful palettes and words in entirely new ways; and so Ben's Garden was born.
Today, you can discover his refreshing and captivating Collection of unique home, garden, gift & charm in our celebrated Ben's Garden shops in New York, more than 1800 high-end boutiques across the United States and internationally, in every time zone and on every continent. Whether in San Francisco, Sao Paulo or Shanghai, you'll be certain to find a warm smile, attention to detail and an attentive, exceptional Ben's Garden experience.
©2018 Ben's Garden, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Other copyrights or trademarks are the property of their respective owners and used with permission.
