Plantology started off in 1995 in Nether Edge, moving to Division Street in 1999 when this part of town was still known as the "Independent Quarter". Now of course it’s the Devonshire Quarter and though the area has changed a little over the years, Plantology continues to provide a leaf-lovers' oasis on this busy shopping street.
Tempting you in from the pavement with its doorstep displays – today there’s fragrant lavender and perky snake grass – the interior is a refreshing garden of delights. Greenery dangles from the ceiling, bunches of wildflowers snuggle prettily together, every kind of plant jostles for your attention on the shelves alongside stacks of stylish ceramics. Meanwhile the team tiptoes about, carefully selecting stems for their latest creations.
Jill, who has managed and nurtured Plantology these 22 years, puts its success down to the creativity of her close-knit team. Whilst they began as a plant shop, over the years they all fell in love with flowers too, inspired by all the possibilities of design and arrangement – you can pick from their locally inspired bouquets with names like Devonshire Green and Winter Garden or talk to them about your own ideas.
Now spring is dawdling towards summer, leaving the tulips and ranunculi behind, it’s the turn of the sweet peas and the peonies. Jill loves the inspiration that each season brings and is happy that houseplants have come back into fashion too.
"Houseplants were very fashionable when we first opened and now it’s come back round," says Jill. "Having plants around the house is really good for our wellbeing, they help keep us healthy, and they’re just so full of life". It feels like it’s not often that something fashionable is also good for us.
Alongside the hanging plants and succulents that we’ve all been busy filling our windowsills with, Jill says it’s now the Victorian style larger-leaved plants that are back on the hot list, like cheese plants and aspidistras. She also shows me their range of aquatic plants, little worlds of their own in beautiful glass jars, and I manage to leave without buying one. But I’ll be back.
- Words by
- Nat Loftus
