Welcome to the latest issue of our GreEnewsletter. You are receiving this either as a current customer, or someone industry related. We hope to share the latest news in a concise manner to inform, educate and provoke thought in the world of "green".

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PREVIOUS ISSUES
Have you noticed the new look for our interior plant technicians, account managers and exterior landscape crews? Sharply dressed in vibrant new uniforms--gorgeous purple shirts and smart gray trousers. Our professional look adds pizzazz and is sure to make us stand out from the crowd!
   

On the edge of Panther Hollow sits a new building. Topped with a tranquil garden and nestled among lush plant life in infinite varieties, this peculiar structure almost seems to breathe — as if it were alive.

The markers of this construction include a pair of state-of-the-art green energy generators — a towering vertical axis wind turbine and a shining array of solar panels, together harnessing the power of the sun and the air. Come to think of it, this beautifully designed place is alive.

The recently completed Center for Sustainable Landscapes at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens ranks among the greenest buildings on Earth. The entire structure, which will house Phipps’ education, research and administrative departments, is net-zero energy and water — that is, it generates more energy and water than it uses.

“We see an opportunity to show how we can integrate buildings into the environment in an ecologically and environmentally sensitive way,” says executive director Richard V. Piacentini.

Visitors to the rapidly expanding Phipps campus can check out a rooftop garden and a living “green wall.” Just outside, a new amphitheater space will offer outdoor entertainment.

And even while employing world-class technology, the Center has remained pure Pittsburgh. “We’re really excited about the fact that the smarts to [build] it exist here in this region,” Piacentini says.
Source: Pittsburgh Magazine

Indoor air can be hazardous to your health. But you can breathe easier with the help of your green friends: houseplants.

Common houseplants such as philodendron, peace lily, corn plant, Gerbera daisy, spider plant, golden pothos, English ivy, Marginata and others can pull chemicals from the air and break them down through their leaves, roots and soil.

Dr. Bill Wolverton, a retired NASA scientist, did extensive research with houseplants. Among his experiments, he placed potted plants inside sealed chambers, then injected common household toxins into the chamber air. After 24 hours, he found that the plants had removed up to 87 percent of the toxins.

Here are some tips on how to use these natural air cleaners, courtesy of PLANET, the Professional Landcare Network:

REMOVE CHEMICALS: The most commonly found indoor chemicals include formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. All of the houseplants tested by Wolverton worked hard to remove all of these chemicals but some were more effective against specific chemicals. Philodendron and spider plants removed the most formaldehyde. English ivy and Marginata (a common Dracaena) mitigated the largest amounts of benzene. Gerbera daisy and peace lily worked best in removing trichloroethylene.

PLANT PLACEMENT: One potted plant per 100 square feet of floor space can help clean the air in an average home or office. In commercial buildings, atriums of plants can help filter circulated air.

WATERING: Mold is always a concern with indoor plants. Be sure not to overwater. Read plant instructions and check with your local plant professional if you have questions. Most houseplants need a small drink every week, then like to dry out.

TYPES OF PLANTS: Virtually every tropical indoor plant -- including many flowering plants -- are powerful removers of indoor air pollutants. A mix of plants may be the best strategy.
Source: Sacramento Bee

For more on THE POWER OF PLANTS IN THE WORKPLACE and why this is important to your employees and clients Click Here.
Now is the time to plan your 2012 Holiday decorations for your building, lobby and offices. Plantscape decorates over 300 businesses in and around Pittsburgh, indoors and out. We design, deliver, install, take down and store. To see some of our holiday projects Click Here.
 
Place your Christmas order by September 15, 2012 and get $100 off your rental or purchase of holiday decor of $500 or more. Call now at 412-281-6352!
 
Yes! Now there are gardening apps for your smart phone or ipad that help take your flower and veggie beds to a new level using high tech! Gardeners may prefer digging in the dirt to fiddling with a mobile device, but an increasing number of gardening apps now available might change that attitude by helping with tasks like designing plots, choosing crops, and improving yields. The apps range in price from free to about $10.
To see ten picks from the New York Times, click here...
Current customers received our company survey in the mail this month, and we were overwhelmed with the results! Thank you to over 140 customers that completed the survey, which asked questions about our people, products and service. Your answers will really help guide us in understanding your needs. We plan to share the results with you in the next issue, and if you didn't get the chance to fill one out and would still like to, you can now fill it out on line. Click here to take the survey...

An Affordable Alternative

You needn't be intimidated by the idea of  a "Living Wall" or "Green Wall" of fresh plants for your office, lobby or reception area. There are many green wall solutions for any environment, indoors and out. Our systems are simple, easy to install, and some are even moveable without having to permanently mount them. They take up no floor space and are visually striking while benefiting your office environment. To view the various systems and learn more...
 
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PLANTSCAPE, INC.   3101 LIBERTY AVE.   PITTSBURGH, PA 15201    412-281-6352   
EMAIL: plants@plantscape.com