
Plant Specialists Blog — Check back often for fresh tips & inspiration — Be sure to share your favorites with friends! —
Plant Specialists Blog — Check back often for fresh tips & inspiration — Be sure to share your favorites with friends! —
Landscaping & Gardening Tips in New York City
Plant Specialists Blog
Welcome to the Plant Specialists Blog – your premier destination for expert insights on revitalizing urban landscapes into verdant, flourishing environments. From sophisticated garden designs and tailored planters to custom pergolas, we provide a wealth of tips, innovative ideas, and exclusive glimpses into our projects throughout New York City. With over 53 years of experience in greening New York, our team of horticulturists and designers shares practical tips, creative ideas, and the latest trends to help you cultivate your own green oasis. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, explore our articles to enhance your gardening journey
Check out our new feature in Brownstone Magazine. You can view it online here:
Plant Specialists appears in The Outsider: Hardscaping Anchors Fort Greene Garden With Seasonal Variety
The Color Purple: A Garden Favorite
Most leaves are green, but some dazzle in shades of red, brown, purple, and more. Chlorophyll dominates, but other pigments and environmental factors play a role. Curious why leaves vary in color? Click to uncover the science behind their vibrant hues!
Phoretic Garden Guests: What Is Phoresy?
Ever wonder how insects reach isolated rooftop gardens? Enter phoresy, a phenomenon where one organism hitches a ride on another. Discover how this quirky mode of transport explains unexpected pest appearances. Click to explore this fascinating ecological mystery!
Acclimatization of Indoor Plants
Adjusting to a new environment can be tough for indoor plants. Often grown in sunny Florida, they must adapt to lower light and humidity indoors. Learn how to ease their transition and keep them thriving. Click for acclimatization tips!
Parenchyma: The Unsung Hero of Plant Tissue
Parenchyma cells are the unsung heroes of plants, driving photosynthesis, storage, and regeneration. Alive and adaptable, they are essential to all plant functions. Want to learn about these fascinating cells? Click to explore the backbone of plant biochemistry!
How Genetic Dominance Affects Flower Color
Why are some flowers red, white, or pink? It’s all about dominant and recessive genes. Learn the basics of genetic dominance, co-dominance, and incomplete dominance—and how they shape the colors we see in blooms. A great intro to plant biology from the horticulture team at Plant Specialists.
ALLELOPATHY
Some plants, like sweet potato vine or marigolds, release chemicals that suppress the growth or flowering of nearby species. This phenomenon, known as allelopathy, can impact container gardening and plant combinations. Click to explore how plants interact through chemical warfare!
A rose by any other name
Roses have captivated us for centuries, symbolizing love and beauty. From their enchanting fragrance to their historical significance, these blooms remain timeless. Discover why the rose, by any name, still smells as sweet. Click to uncover the allure of roses in gardens and culture!
The History & Magic of Basil
Basil isn’t just for pesto. This remarkable herb spans continents and centuries—from ancient Hindu ceremonies to European folklore filled with scorpions and spells. Explore the sacred, the strange, and the spicy side of basil with Plant Specialists.
A Guide to Growing Ornamental Banana Plants
Ornamental bananas bring bold, tropical flair to NYC gardens. While not edible, varieties like ‘Siam Beauty’, ‘Velutina’, and ‘Zebrina’ offer dramatic foliage and unique blooms. Learn which species thrive in containers, how to overwinter them indoors, and how to bring Victorian garden vibes to your rooftop.
What Is Plasmolysis? Understanding Plant Cell Stress (55)
Dive into plant science with this weird word. Plasmolysis explains what happens when a plant loses water fast.
Watering Basics for Fuller Healthy Gardens
Water is everything—but when and how matters. Discover smart watering habits for NYC gardens.
Why Faux Plants Are a Smart Green Solution
Faux plants aren’t what they used to be. With hyper-realistic textures and styles, they offer smart, low-maintenance alternatives for hard-to-reach or inhospitable spaces. Learn when and where artificial botanicals make sense in design—indoors, outdoors, and everywhere in between.
How to Water Indoor Plants the Right Way
Overwatering is the most common way people kill houseplants. This guide covers how often to water, how much to use, and how to avoid root rot while supporting your plant’s natural cycle. Learn how to set a healthy routine and keep your indoor plants thriving.
Nomenclature: Understanding Scientific Plant Names
Learn how plants get their scientific names and why botanical nomenclature matters. This beginner-friendly guide explains genus, species, cultivars, and hybrids in simple terms, so you can better understand garden labels and plant catalogs. Demystify the Latin and feel more confident choosing and talking about your favorite plants.
What is an Heirloom plant anyway ?
Curious about heirloom plants? This guide dives into what makes a plant “heirloom”—from its history and open-pollinated nature to why gardeners treasure them for flavor, resilience, and heritage. Whether you’re choosing seeds or plants, learn how these timeless varieties can enrich your garden and your table
Husbandry in the Insect World: How Ants Farm and Tend Other Bugs
Did you know ants are insect farmers? In this quirky exploration, learn how certain ant species “herd” aphids or cultivate fungi — carefully tending to other insects and crops in tiny underground farms. Discover what drives this behavior and why studying ant husbandry can reshape our view of agriculture in nature.