Categories
Houseplant

Bergamotte x Urban Jungle Bloggers: Yunnan

Urban Jungle Bloggers x Bergamotte Yunnan #urbanjunglebloggers

English text below! For our French readers, pour nos lecteurs français :

Urban Jungle Bloggers x Bergamotte Yunnan #urbanjunglebloggers

Ce mois de janvier on a l’honneur d’imaginer pour la deuxième fois une collection capsule avec Bergamotte, connu par ses bouquets splendides livrés à Paris sous 2h et dans les 24 heures en métropole. Après le “Mini Jungle” de l’année dernière, on a opté pour une collection plus luxuriante pour cette collection capsule. Elle consiste de quatre plantes faciles à faire grandir chez soi et s’appelle Yunnan.  

Urban Jungle Bloggers x Bergamotte Yunnan #urbanjunglebloggers
Urban Jungle Bloggers x Bergamotte Yunnan #urbanjunglebloggers

Pour recevoir votre collection Yunnan chez vous, rien de plus simple, sous condition que vous habitez en France, rendez-vous sur le site de Bergamotte pour passer commande. Dans 2 heures (sur Paris) ou 24 heures, vous recevrez un très joli colis avec ces quatre beautés d’une diamètre de 12 cm, livré dans leurs pots en terracotta et une carte postale d’Urban Jungle Bloggers. Et avec une surprise pour certains d’entre vous : l’équipe de Bergamotte a glissé notre livre “Urban Jungle, décorer avec les plantes” dans 5 colis de notre collection ! Si vous aimez autant votre mini jungle que nous, n’hésitez pas à partager une petite photo sur Instagram avec le hashtag #urbanjunglebloggers car deux fois par jour on y partage les photos les plus inspirantes… peut-être la vôtre ?

Urban Jungle Bloggers x Bergamotte Yunnan #urbanjunglebloggers
Urban Jungle Bloggers x Bergamotte Yunnan #urbanjunglebloggers
Urban Jungle Bloggers x Bergamotte Yunnan #urbanjunglebloggers

For the second time in a row, we had the immense honor to work on a capsule collection with our friends at Bergamotte. Last year we opted for a “mini jungle” called Oaxaca (read all about it here) and this year we decided to select some leafy tropical plants with an unexpected twist of color. The collection is called Yunnan and is exclusively available for plant lovers in France via Bergamotte. As an extra surprise, the Bergamotte team put the French Urban Jungle books in five packages with our collection. So if you are lucky (and living in France) you may not only receive a beautiful collection of four plants in terracotta pots, but also our book! Enjoy your little urban jungle!

Urban Jungle Bloggers x Bergamotte Yunnan #urbanjunglebloggers
Urban Jungle Bloggers x Bergamotte Yunnan #urbanjunglebloggers

Photography by Urban Jungle Bloggers

Categories
Plant Shop

Jardinière Sauvage pop-up shop in Paris

Our friend Rebecca from Jardinière Sauvage has a mission: to bring beautiful and seasonal plants to Parisian homes and balconies. Together with her team she selects and hand-delivers plants and accessories to her customers in the city of light. Jardinière Sauvage launched earlier this year as a webshop and plant delivery service, but this holiday season Rebecca decided it was time to meet her clients offline and welcome them in a lush and green boutique in the 10th arrondissement in Paris. Join us for a little virtual visit of the Jardinière Sauvage pop-up shop in the Passage du Désir, 50 boulevard de Strasbourg. 

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Jardinière Sauvage pop-up shop in Paris #urbanjunglebloggers

This new space, decorated by Rebecca, totally reflects the Jardinière Sauvage esthetics: wild, green, lush and natural with a Parisian chic. Hanging plants in plant bags in natural materials, copper planters, bright white design items, brass misters, enamel mugs, Haws gardening tools…

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Jardinière Sauvage pop-up shop in Paris #urbanjunglebloggers

One of Jardinière Sauvage’s bestsellers is the stylish balcony planter designed by Mr. Playmobil (yes from the toys!). When he went looking to buy a jardiniere for himself, he was less than impressed at what was on the market, so he designed one himself. It’s the best there is, according to Rebecca, as it has a generous 3 liter reservoir that takes the hard work out of watering. You can cover up the jardinière with a hand-sewn craft bag that you can scrunch, roll and wash. The material actually gets better by age and gives an easy and chic look to the sleek planter. At the pop-up shop you can also find smaller models, soft buckets and plant pots to embellish your balcony or home.

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Jardinière Sauvage pop-up shop in Paris #urbanjunglebloggers

To make gardening in the city as easy as possible: at Jardinière Sauvage you can order 3 individual plants that fit exactly in one jardinière. No need to mess around with bags of heavy soil, finding the right dirt or tools: simply enjoy your city greens! Like this beautiful Hedera helix:

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Jardinière Sauvage pop-up shop in Paris #urbanjunglebloggers

And also for sale at the pop-up shop: our Urban Jungle book in French:

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Jardinière Sauvage pop-up shop in Paris #urbanjunglebloggers

Years ago, Rebecca packed up her life in Melbourne, Australia, to come and work for the OECD in Paris. Little did she know that more than a decade later, she would switch careers to start her own business and become an urban gardener. Her five year old son is her greatest source of inspiration. By having the courage to leave a well established international career and to follow her dream, to learn so many new things, to accept adventure and to take risks, and above all: to be happy, she tries to give him the best example in life. We think she is well on her way!

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Jardinière Sauvage pop-up shop in Paris #urbanjunglebloggers

In the spotlight: the Jardinière Sauvage selfwatering planter in the craft bag with lush Boston and Blue Star ferns:

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Jardinière Sauvage pop-up shop in Paris #urbanjunglebloggers

For sale at the pop-up shop: lots of gift ideas for yourself, a plant loving friend, a newbie urban gardener or yourself. Like these super cute mini vases. If you’re in Paris this December month: Jardinière Sauvage deserves your visit!

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Jardinière Sauvage pop-up shop in Paris #urbanjunglebloggers
Urban Jungle Bloggers - Jardinière Sauvage pop-up shop in Paris #urbanjunglebloggers

Jardinière Sauvage pop-up shop
Passage du Désir, 50 boulevard de Strasbourg, 75010 Paris
Open until the end of December from Wednesdays to Sundays! Check all details via @jardinieresauvage Instagram!

Categories
Planty Product

Green Gift Guide for Plant Lovers

Green Gift Guide for Plant Lovers #urbanjunglebloggers

Secretly we are counting the days. It is still November but the atmosphere is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Shops are decorated, the fairy lights are hung, we even spotted some early Christmas trees here and there.  A few more weeks and the festive season is fully upon us! Like last year we compiled a Green Gift Guide for you that is totally Urban Jungle Bloggers approved! From handy plant accessories to decorative items inspired by botanicals – the range is great and features something for every taste and budget. For this guide we asked help from all of you following us on Instagram and we received so many cool suggestions: we could easily fill 10 gift guides with planty products! Thank you for that!

Of course we just had to include the Urban Jungle Book  in the gift guide too – after all we believe it is a fantastic addition to any plant loving home. And it’s available in five languages now (English, German, French, Dutch and Czech), There is no excuse to not start your green gift hunt! Here is a fantastic list of 25 green gifts for plant lovers at your service! Happy gift shopping!

1 — Orange Beaded plant hanger XL by Plantbaby Studio
2 — Enamel Pins (Begonia maculata, Peperomia Watermelon, Pilea Peperomioides…) by Little Lands
3 — Monstera presentation board in oak by BQuatre on Etsy
4 — Plant Console with modular table legs and cactus in terracotta pot by TIPTOE x Bergamotte
5 — Our Urban Jungle Book, available in EnglishDeutschFrançaisNederlandsČeský
6 — Diamond watering can by Garden Glory
7 — Porcelain table top planter by Convivial
8 — Green Dexter plant “vase” with light by Spruitje Amsterdam
9 — Botanical wrapping paper to wrap your gift by Evans & Hall
10 — Handmade Cactus mug by Bexxdesign on Etsy
11 — Leather iPhone sleeve with botanical print on inside by Keecie via BoomBoomShop
12 — Cibele Plant Stand by OK design
13 — Soft bucket (plant pot cover) in Roof Garden design by Skinny LaMinx
14 — Plant jewelry in brass (Orangutan, Chameleon, Sloth) by Another Studio
15 — Glazed ceramic plant pots “Nelis” (also available in wall or table versions) by Wildernis Amsterdam
16 — The Cradle Propagation Holder by Hilton Carter
17 — I will survive tote bag by Kira Gulley (for every tote bag purchased they plant one tree!) 
18 — Plants! Throw Blanket by Calhoun & Co
19 — Favourite Plants Print by Frida Clerhage
20 — Echeveria Succulents Bedding Set by Vandijck
21 — Trigona Plant hanger by DraadZaken via The Botanical Room
22 — Silver Succulent Ring hand cast from a real(!) succulent or cactus by SaltFoxDesigns on Etsy
23 — Standing Half Moon Planter by Urban Outfitters
24 — Neoprene cachepots (plant pot cover) by Pijama
25 — Plant shelfie & mirror Lustro Halo by Bujnie

Categories
Planty Inspiration Planty Product

Dossofiorito designs for plants

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Studio Dossofiorito
Gianluca Giabardo and Livia Rossi of Dossofiorito

Livia Rossi and Gianluca Giabardo – the pair behind Italian design studio Dossofiorito [literally “flowery hill”] – do not only design for humans, but for plants too. Attentive to the quiet green world around them, over the years they explored the connectivity and bounds that can grow between people and houseplants. Eager to share their passion they agreed on replying to some questions by Laura Drouet.

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Studio Dossofiorito
The Phytophiler by Dossofiorito

How would you describe your relationship with plants?
We consider the plants that share our house, balcony and studio, along with Aru our dog, as part of the family. We speak to them and grow really attached to them.

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Studio Dossofiorito
The Phytophiler by Dossofiorito

Your work ranges from collectible design to more interactive projects encouraging for instance children’s participation and creativity, yet, your recurrent incline for plants constitutes a peculiar and interesting red thread. Where does this passion comes from?
Our interest for plants comes a long way. Although we both grew up in urban surroundings, we also had the opportunity as children to be very much in touch with Nature. But we never realised how deep our interest in plants was until they became – almost by accident – asubject to explore in our projects. When we saw that we got many plant specimens (maybe too many!), we started questioning our attitude and this profound need of being surrounded by plants. It occurred to us that it might be interesting and relevant to do a project on the bound that a person can develop with the houseplants sharing his/her living environment.

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Studio Dossofiorito
The Phytophiler by Dossofiorito

According to French botanist Francis Hallé, plants are too often forgotten and rarely seen as living being simply because they are biologically too far from humans. Many of your project such as The Phytophiler collection provides the user with a set to study and interact with the plant itself using human’s senses such as touch and view. According to you, why is learning to understand the kingdom Plantae so vital?
Recent scientific researches have proven that plants can move, communicate, react to external stimulus, even have memories of past experiences! This new awareness necessarily brought about a new and more respectful attitude towards them. Our Phytophiler projects simply go in that direction: they are not do-it-all tools – they don’t water for you, they don’t feed the plants for you – because we wanted to bring people closer and make them more engaged with the plants.

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Studio Dossofiorito
Epiphytes by Dossofiorito

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Studio Dossofiorito
Epiphytes by Dossofiorito

Knowledge and recognition constitute the base of your Epiphytes project as it respect the air-plants metabolism. What inspired you for this project?
While conducting researches on plants for The Phytophiler, we learned about epiphytes (plants that do not grow in the soil but on another plant or tree in the wild). We were astonished to discover that many of the plants that are grown as houseplants belong to this category – 70% of known orchids, a third of the ferns, and even some cacti are epiphytes. The Epiphytes vase follows the natural growing attitudes of a plant. What inspired us this project were the ollas (terracota container used for centuries in vegetable gardens) but also the cultivation methods of orchids in tropical countries where the plants are grown on the outside surface of terracotta pots resting in trays filled with water.

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Studio Dossofiorito
ETTA, a multi-layer wood bench / room divider design by Dossofiorito

How do you see your role as product designers when it comes to plants?
In our designs we try to be attentive to the materials we use and enjoy to work with small scale producers, with a direct control of the production. We believe that the bottom line of many of our plants projects is the idea that plants are not just a decorative element. None of our projects are for immediate fruition but suggest more that people are embarking on a long term commitment with each specimen. It is just with time and care that we’ll enjoy the most the presence of the plant.

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Studio Dossofiorito
The Phytophiler by Dossofiorito

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Studio Dossofiorito
The Phytophiler by Dossofiorito

Interview by Laura Drouet, photography via Dossofiorito (Zilio A&C / Matevz Paternoster, Federico Villa, Omar Nadalini)

Categories
Planty Product

Start something bright & keep your plants happy

See why and start something bright! OSRAM Opto Semiconductors – despite the very techy name – provide a rather simple solution to solve the aforementioned challenge! They offer special LEDs for horticultural lighting which will provide optimal growing conditions for your plants – whether they suffer of a lack of light due to the season or …

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Start something bright with Osram Opto Semiconductors

Currently the autumn days here in Europe are truly glorious. But we are not only enjoying the sunshine outdoors, we are also prepping our plants for the upcoming colder and certainly darker autumn and winter days. Why? Because light is a crucial factor to keep your plants thriving and happy especially during the colder and gloomier season. But how can we assure our plants get sufficient light to stay happy and not suffer of a lack of light? This question requires both, the plant geek and the tech geek in you. See why and start something bright!

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Start something bright with Osram Opto Semiconductors

OSRAM Opto Semiconductors – despite the very techy name – provide a rather simple solution to solve the aforementioned challenge! They offer special LEDs for horticultural lighting which will provide optimal growing conditions for your plants – whether they suffer of a lack of light due to the season or whether they are placed in a room without a window. They provide the special LEDs which are then part of luminaires offered by other brands. Now you might wonder: Why is it pink light? Let us have a look at that too.

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Start something bright with Osram Opto Semiconductors

The pink light is something that we perceive with our human eye. In fact it is a mix of different ratios of wavelenghts between deep blue, hyper red and far red providing the right mix of wavelengths to stimulate photosynthesisOSRAM Opto Semiconductors is a highly experienced company when it comes to LED solution. Their expertise stems from years and years of experience in various business fields, among them horticulture. As a big player they think of solutions for growing food on larger scale, urban farming, and other aspects of horticulture. But their solutions are equally practical and available for the small-scale urban jungle fan through buying luminaires that include their LEDs. Growing plants at home requires adequate light too after all.

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Start something bright with Osram Opto Semiconductors

But we do not want to just talk about facts here. We actually received one set of horticultural lights equipped with OSRAM OS LEDs to test ourselves. Judith installed the light fixture in her home and provides her plants with an extra dosis of light for growth. Now we don’t have any long-term results yet, but it looks promising. A not so bad side effect is the light show you get – a warm and cosy pink glow in your plant corner! 

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Start something bright with Osram Opto Semiconductors

The various LEDs not only foster a good photosynthesis of your plants, they also assure an even growth in height and width. Think of certain succulents during wintertime or when placed in darker corners – what happens to them? They stretch out towards the light. They become wonky, long, with bigger gaps bewtween the leaves. To avoid such growing peculiarities you need to provide optimal light – be it natural or artificial if needed. For this (among other reasons) the OSRAM Opto Semiconductors LEDs are ideal.

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Start something bright with Osram Opto Semiconductors
Urban Jungle Bloggers - Start something bright with Osram Opto Semiconductors
Urban Jungle Bloggers - Start something bright with Osram Opto Semiconductors

Neoprene cachepot by Pijama

This lighting fixture is not something you’ll find right now in a shop. In fact it is a development kit that we got for a first test. Horticulture luminaires for home use are just starting to be offered on the market – this may increase as more plant enthusiasts like us want to use them indoors. As a highly professional technical device it is meant to perform in the best way possible and assure the plants are thriving. Whether you place the lighting fixture as a hanging solution or just next to the plants on a sideboard – it is up to you. You can also think of decorative ways of camouflaging the LED box given that the light is unobstructed and disperses evenly. And frankly: This kind of solution makes us really feel like top-notch plant geeks! Go the extra mile for your plants’ happiness and start something bright – with the new horticultural lighting by OSRAM Opto Semiconductors

Urban Jungle Bloggers - Start something bright with Osram Opto Semiconductors
Urban Jungle Bloggers - Start something bright with Osram Opto Semiconductors
Urban Jungle Bloggers - Start something bright with Osram Opto Semiconductors

This blogpost has been brought to you in collaboration with OSRAM Opto Semiconductors. As always all opinions and photos are our own. Thank you for supporting the brands who support this blog!

Photography by Urban Jungle Bloggers