Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Ruckman.
Jennifer, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It all started with a plant named Virginia…My Mom was going out of town and asked me to look after her Peace Lily, named after a dear friend who had passed away. I took it home and kinda-sorta threw some water in it and put it near a window. It did not look great upon her return and I felt awful. I vowed to do better next time and began researching and purchasing my own houseplants. I learned about essentials like light, humidity, location, and pests, and, which plants do well is which environments. I have always loved styling my own home, so I began incorporating plants, greenery and flowers here and there. One thing led to thirty more and the next thing I knew I was helping friends do the same, while fielding texts and calls about their own houseplants.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t know about “smooth”, but it certainly has not been “rough”, either! Plant styling is a very social job. I love introducing people to a life with indoor plants! Plants can offer someone a much needed connection (they make great gifts), or, just add a little happiness and vitality to someone’s home or office. Plants can motivate you to learn more and there are many other plant fanatics out there with whom indoor plants and outdoor gardening tips and tricks are a unifying hobby. The hardest thing has been getting folks to understand that that “money tree you bought from the Big Box hardware store was planted in fake, mostly peat, “soil” and it was likely root bound or rotted, with fungus gnats, which is why it was so inexpensive!” But, I am finding that people appreciate knowledge. Plants cost money, after all, so it is advantageous for the plant parent to learn as much about taking care of their investment as possible. When I find a client a plant, I repot it, treat it for potential pets, and set it up for success from the get-go!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a plant stylist, which means, in a nutshell, that I do any and all things related to indoor plants. I am excited to be doing something in such a niche area. Do you need a pop-up flower bar for a Sweet Sixteen, bridal, or baby shower? You got it. Do you need a succulent planting party for your book club? I’ll be there. Want to show your hostess, client, or neighbor some appreciation? Le the make them a custom greenery or herb basket. Want to grab some bubbly with friends and make bouquets? Let’s do it! My favorite thing to do, however, is to style plants in someone’s home. I love to match the perfect plant to the perfect room.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think that in this strange, “post-Covid lockdown” era, people, more than ever are looking for ways to slow themselves down in a busy world. More folks are working remotely and the idea of a comfortable workspace in the home became a top priority. I noticed an uptick in plant instagram pages and message boards. People who were looking for healthy ways to connect with folks found it with plants and gardening, floral arrangement workshops and propagating. With that in mind, One Trick Peony Woodlands is successful is because plants are just good to have! They are excellent unifiers. No matter what your budget, your taste, or your lifestyle, there is always room for a little greenery. Owning plants can help with stress and anxiety, add life to sterile spaces, and improve indoor air quality. Thankfully, all those characteristics speak for themselves, so I bring the tenacity, knowledge and I-can-do-that-itis!
Contact Info:
- Website: onetrickpeonywoodlands.net
- Instagram: @onetrickpeonywoodlands
- Facebook: One Trick Peony Woodlands
Image Credits
Tracy Robinson @spryartphotography
