Interiorscapers possess a variety of talents. Of course they understand how to install plants and related accessories to keep them alive, as well as horticultural knowledge and design skills. Yet during the holidays, they must wear many more hats (carpenter, electrician and even engineer). This all must be accomplished while avoiding neglect of existing non-holiday installations.

During the holidays, customers, ironically, are oftentimes less patient and forgiving. Clients are more demanding, and your chances to “get it right” are fewer. Even the best intention to tap into holiday cheer can create situations better suited for Halloween!

NewPro Corp Vice President Fred Scott, a former purchaser and manager of installations at one of the largest exterior and interior landscape supply companies in the US, has seen holiday planning go well and, not-so-well.

One strategy that works well with poinsettias is selling a pot with each plant. It saves time on installation and clean-up. A decorative container, rather than simple foil or even a speed cover keeps the poinsettia more stable and therefore healthier throughout the holiday. (more…)

Interiorscapers rely heavily on rectangular planters. So, naturally, they come in all shapes, sizes and colors, right? They don’t.

Fred Scott, NewPro’s vice president and a 20-year industry veteran, listened to specific design ideas from Interiorscapers across the country who needed a rectangular planter that “had some design thinking go into it.”

Fred took suggestions from Interiorscapers and designed the Quadrangle Rectangular Planter that features rounded corners and a tapered base. It’s made from a poly material that resists smudges and scratches and comes in five colors (black, espresso, charcoal, silver and pearl beige). “But there are two features that make it unlike any other rectangle planter out there,” Fred said. “Its dimensions allow it to house three of the taller six inch grow pots, and the ability to securely mount it with brackets.”

Interiorscapers may place Neanthe Bellas in the Quadrangle and install it in a busy conference room. Aglaonema or ZZ plants also work well in Quadrangles that are placed in a window ledge or on the top of a cubicle. “The Quadrangles are going to be used on top of petitions in an office where floor room is limited. They are a great way to provide plants in areas that a floor plant would be in the way of traffic,” said longtime NewPro customer Meg Goodwin of Botanical Environments, Inc. “I’ll be planting six-inch Golden Pothos in them. The Quadrangles are pleasing to the eye with the curved corners.”
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MegaPots are available in sandstone (outside) and granite (middle)

Paul Ray, Horticulturalist for Median Hills Country Club in Indianapolis, shares the benefits of MegaPots in this video:

For the last year, NewPro has offered the Rockafiller line of faux river rocks. They look identical to smooth rounded stones you’d find on the banks of a stream or pond. Designed to be spread on the top of a planter, they are also a great alternative to dry, fibrous top dressings since they don’t stir up allergies as faux moss can.

There are now two styles of Rockafillers. “Flat” Rockafillers give great cover for small to medium planters and are similar to skipping stones. Their flat characteristic works well when light surface coverage is needed. “River Rockafillers” are our new lighter but larger faux river rocks. This means less expense to you, but more coverage for your customers.

This represents one unit of River Rockafillers (charcoal or black)- one cubic foot

Each “unit” of River Rockafillers consists of one cubic foot of 2-inch to 4-inch diameter by 1-inch thick round river rocks. They are ideally suited for larger plant beds and planters, although some interiorscapers use them for small planters as well. These rocks are much easier to dislodge than the real thing when you need to check soil moisture.

When compared to real river rocks by weight, Rockafillers will cover 2.5 times more area. One cubic foot of river Rockafillers will cover 5-6 square feet of an area 2 inches deep. Despite their plastic make-up, all varieties of Rockafillers are green! Each is molded from shredded, recycled DVDs and DVD cases.

NewPro Customers who have already received River Rockafiller sample packs are looking forward to using them in a new way, “Thank you for sending the samples of river rock,” said Clair P. from Salt Lake City. “I love the new size.”

If you have ever had a complaint of mold causing stress with your customer, then Rockafillers are a good alternative to moss. The fire Marshall will likely be less critical of Rockafillers instead of moss dressing.

Here is some important info about the new faux river rock product:

• New larger diameter – 2″ to 4″
• More coverage + light weight = less expensive
• Fire resistant and easy to use
• Made from recycled plastic
• Covers 2.5 times more area than actual rock by weight
• Ships in a 1 cubic foot box
• Use 1 cubic ft. to cover 6 sq. feet at 2″ depth
• Non-allergenic
• Easy to rearrange to check soil
• Available in Black Onyx

Call Prish or Tamara at 800-869-9285 if you have any questions or would like to place an order. They look great is our wholesale containers and wholesale flower pots. Of course for more detail, or to place an order online, you can visit the NewPro Containers website.

Pictured are the "flat" and new River Rockafillers

The newest product to join NewPro’s product line-up is the Quadrangle™ Rectangle. We devised the rounded-corner rectangle planter as compliment to similar planters from Lechuza, ASI, and Gainey.

The Quadrangle™ looks right at home on sun-drenched window sills and atop office cubicle partitions (brackets available). Manufactured by NewPro, the Quadrangle™ fits oversized 6” growpots and is made of new and improved poly compound that minimizes smudges and scratches than other similar products.

Although currently available in five contemporary and commercial colors, NewPro has developed a kit to familiarize Interiorscapers and Plantscapers with the product. The sample set includes:

• Black Quadrangle™ (6.5″ OW x 22.2″ OL x 7″ OH – 6.25″ IW x 22″ IL x 6.25″ IH – BASE: 4.25″ OAW x 20″ L)
• Brackets for secure mounting with step-by step instructions
• Color Chips (Espresso, Charcoal, Pearl and Beige)
• Newly re-designed Rockafillers™ river rocks

More details about the Quadrangle™ can be found here.

Click on the video below for a more detailed look at the sample set contents as well as step-by-step instructions on how to assemble the acrylic brackets.