Our parent company, Phillip’s Flowers, is celebrating its centennial this year thanks to the support of the communities that we have served over the last 100 years. That’s why our team seeks out meaningful ways to give back to our communities through our love of plants. Read on to learn about some of the ways we say “thank you” with plants.
THIS ISN’T YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S GARDEN CLUB
OUR RETIRED OFFICE PLANT PROGRAM PROVES RETIREMENT ISN’T FOR THE BIRDS
A camera shy West African Dwarf Crocodile relaxes amongst a lush assortment of retired office plants in its enclosure at Brookfield Zoo’s Habitat Africa! exhibit. Image Credit: Cathy Bazzoni CZS – Brookfield Zoo
Our Horticulture Technicians, the Phillip’s team members who maintain plants at businesses throughout Chicagoland, are the front line when it comes to determining if a plant is “marginal” (that’s plant speak for a plant that has seen greener days). Once a Hort Tech determines a plant is marginal, they submit a replacement request. A complimentary new plant is scheduled for delivery. This is part of the Guaranteed Maintenance Service we provide our customers.
We are frequently asked what happens to the old plants, and the answer always makes our clients smile. Many former office plants end up getting a new life when we deliver them to Brookfield Zoo for inclusion in the animal habitats and exhibits. It is our privilege to play a small role in supporting Brookfield Zoo/Chicago Zoological Society’s mission to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature.
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
We had an opportunity to zhuzh the space of a deserving local organization that provides transitional housing and support to victims and survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking. In addition to beautifying the space, the plants also provide a connection to nature which has myriad benefits on mental health such as reduction of stress and anxiety as well as improved cognitive function. Click the image below to see our finished work on this project!
FEEDING PEOPLE THROUGH PLANTS
What started as a fun TikTok propogation tutorial featuring Pilea Perimiodes became part of a donation of plants that Feeding People Through Plants could sell at one of their plant sale fundraisers. Though Feeding People Through Plants has segued into a different facet of community support through their current efforts as The Orange Tent Outreach, we are grateful that we had the opportunity to support them in their plant-oriented fundraisers. Want to learn about propagation? Don’t be intimidated. It’s quite straightforward. Click on the image below to learn more. Commonly propogated plants include avacado, sweet potato, pineapple, and mango.
