Turn over a new leaf this year with these no fuss potted plants that will brighten up any corner of your home
When software engineer Shabari Madappa had a baby she decided to make the most of her homemaker status by plunging her hands into mud and manure literally. She got together with friend Dhanya Menon (an interior designer) to start Green Essence, a gardening venture and soon-to-be store where she sells ornamental plants, herbs, orchids and bonsai among others potted in colourful planters and garden accessories.
Started in November, 2010, Green Essence is an extension of Madappa being quite a green thumb herself. “I love gardening and have been into it. We also have a nursery in my family’s coffee estate in Coorg” says Madappa. Under Green Essence, the duo sells easy-to-care for cubicle planters such as cactus and succulents, herbs like lemongrass, oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, curry and mint leaves for your kitchen window, exotic plants like orchids, desert rose and dromeliada.
They also do balcony and terrace makeovers and sell ceramic planters and Bio degradable pots made out of coconut choir. One of their best products, according to Madappa, are the self watering planters that only require you to water plants once in three weeks.
“The excess water collects in a tray and the soil pulls it back in a reverse osmosis process. There is no leaking or mess, so we even have these decorative covers or skins for these planters,” says Madappa. Green Essence will soon launch itself in the form of a store in the same premises as lifestyle store Orange Bicycle. Madappa plans to start a bonsai club once the store is in place where people can display their bonsais and even sell them.
At: Orange Bicycle, House no. 3353, 12th A Main, 5th Cross, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar
Call: 98458 27010
Log on to: the Facebook page for Green Essence
For: Ornamental and herb planters, Rs 250 onwards, exotic planters ,Rs 850 onwards, bonsai Rs 3,000 onwards and balcony makeovers Rs 5,000.
onwardsource: http://www.mid-day.com / by Amirta Bose / 2011.01.03
