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18 August | 2022 Feature HOUSEPLANTS Foliage and fl owering houseplants—especially live, but permanent, too—as well as accents of cut greenery in vases, have been on-trend for several years now as decorative accents, and their popularity shows no signs of subsiding any time soon. BH&G lists the following houseplants as favorites among trend-savvy consumers: • Orchids • Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) • Chartreuse 'Neon' pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'Neon') • Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) • China doll plant (Radermachera sinica) • Bromeliads, especially Guzmania lingulata 'Scarlet Star', Neoregelia carolinae (blushing bromeliad) and Aechmea fasciata (urn plant/silver vase plant) • Air plants, especially Tillandsia xerographica (xerographic air plant), Tillandsia bergeri (mad pupper air plant) and Tillandsia ionantha (blushing bride air plant) • Watermelon begonia/watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia) • Tropical pitcher plant/monkey cup (Nepenthes spp.) • Snake plant/mother-in-law's tongue (Dracaena trifasciata—formerly known as Sansevieria trifasciata). (Read more on trending houseplants in "Houseplant Trends and Marketing Tips" on Page 22.) WALL DÉCOR Florists have been the masters of this segment for decades, originally with beautiful seasonal wreaths for inside homes and offi ces and, more recently, with everything from sculptural weavings incorporating botanicals, fresh and faux, with other elements of nature to wall gardens and more. Florists, being specialty retailers, are advised to focus on these types customized and artistic wall décor, which showcase their specialized media and artistic talents. After all, what other type of retailer is more suited to provide unique botanical wall décor for both indoors and out? Beyond botanical wall décor, mirrors—from artistic and contemporary to classic and ornate—and oversized wall clocks remain strong mainstays in the wall décor segment and are typically great sellers in fl ower shops known for their home décor sections; however, note that your selection should be uncommon and distinctive because competition for these products reaches far and wide. THROW PILLOWS BH&G notes that within living rooms and rec rooms, people want to be comfortable—sitting on large curvaceous sofas and high-back lounge chairs—they want small pillows to hold on to as comfort "tools." If you sell throw pillows, continue to stock the latest styles of pillows in the same sizes you currently sell, but remember that pillows need not have four corners; today, look for round pillows and other interesting and novel shapes.

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