Petals & Roots Story & Photos by Bradley Hawks 44 | BOROMAG.COM | MAY 2015 LIVING GREEN “So, I’ve effectively killed two of the most durable plants on the planet,” I begin explaining to Alex Avdoulos, one of the owners of Petals & Roots on 31st Street, next to the Astoria Bookshop. With the sweetest expression she can possibly muster, she gazes at me in disbelief. “You even killed the money tree?” “Yes…” “The succulents?” “Mmmm hmmm…” I sink my head in embarrassment. “Yup, even them. Can you recommend anything that can survive what is apparently a black thumb?” “Silk,” she says, bursting into a laugh. “I guess I’d recommend silk flowers!” After I explain how I killed the beautiful money tree, my miniature succulents, several cactuses, and every hearty plant she has ever recommended, I plea my refusal to give up hope. I know I can learn to take care of a living plant, and I swear I will get better at actually keeping one alive. We walk around the store, and I point at different things I like. Her eyes light up as I gesture to a cluster of leaves that look like a bow of long, purplish ribbons. “Well, that’s an air plant,” she explains. “And it might be good for you. Even if you kill it, it will always look like that, and even maintain its color.” Possibly. My eyes are always drawn to the terrariums in the store. I love the variety of plants they hold, and the fact they look like little aquariums full of greenery. “What about a terrarium?” I ask. She smiles. “Would you maybe let my husband, Peter, arrange one just for you that will be beautiful, resilient and tough to kill?” We agree on a price, and I head home smiling. Two days later, I return for my custom-made ecosystem. Peter has created what is possibly one of the most astonishing arrangements I have ever seen. Tiny peach puffs look like pieces of live coral, and small bits of bark are scattered among some of the coolest plants I’ve ever seen: lavender air plants, spikes of little white striped plants, moss and tiny succulents. “You see how the moisture is gathered in the bottom of the terrarium?” asks Alex. “Well, just take a small spray bottle, and mist the whole thing once a week. As long as the moisture looks like this, it will be fine.” I give Alex a hug, lift the arrangement by the rustic rope handle, and head off to my apartment to begin nurturing this hypnotizing new cluster of exotic plants. I smile as I walk down the street toting my terrarium like a pet. I think this time, I just might get it right. For the month of May, Petals & Roots is offering a complimentary next-size upgrade simply for mentioning this story in BORO Magazine. For impeccable, personalized service, stop by and check out the store. 31-27 31st St., Astoria 718-267-1700 www.petalsandrootsny.com
BM052015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above