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Flower Framers
Inspired by Europe | Made in America
Flower Framers was founded in 1994 in Cincinnati, Ohio inspired by the beautiful flower boxes adorning windows and balconies throughout Europe's urban areas and countryside.
Flower Framers recognized that many Americans found
numerous limiting factors in what was currently available in America.
Flower Framers joined up with a local landscape architect, John Bentley, a
Fellow in the American Society of Landscape Architects (FASLA), to overcome
these problems.
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Since dirt eventually eats
wood, existing wood boxes rotted in just a few years. Fiberglass had been
tested for over 60 years without any strength loss. This gave the body of
the box durability, but it also was light and very paintable.
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Hanging existing boxes were
problematic. The solution was to develop bracket that would be hung first.
To be sure it would not rust it must be made of stainless steel. The shape
of the box evolved so the entire length of the side was a lip that would
engage with the bracket by just slipping down over it.
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Drainage was always a
challenge since gravel or broken pieces of pottery laid along the bottom
would eventually clog. A unique drainage mat along the entire length of
the box let the excess rain water escape thru drain holes on either end of
the box. The fine mesh wrapped around the mat prevented the soil-less mix
from flushing out. As an additional benefit, the mat was made out of
non-biodegradable material, which meant it would not deteriorate for
hundreds of years.
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Boxes on the market were
available in just a few short lengths, which limited the options for
usage. Because the new box was to be protruded, it could be made up to 15'
long. The end caps could then be added to any length from 2' long to the
full 15' or any length in between. If you want a 12' 6" box, one can
be made for you.
Tournesol Siteworks
In the fall of 2004,
one of Flower Framers' best customers, bought the company. Tournesol Siteworks,
previously known as Planter Technology, is now headquartered in Fremont, CA. It
has been a leading manufacturer of complete landscape solutions for the urban
environment for over 25 years. For more information, go to tournesolsiteworks.com.
Since purchasing the company, the new owners developed a complimentary sized version. The European Series box is 40% smaller in size and has the same classic lines of the larger version. You will discover that it has all of the other characteristics in the Product section.
Flower Framers of Cincinnati
John Simpkinson joined the original company in the spring of 2003 based importantly on his recognizing the quality and the potential of the product. He had bought some of the first boxes in 1994 and he and his wife had been very pleased with the results for over a decade. When the company was sold in 2004, he became a regional representative for the new owner. In the summer of 2007, he became an independent distributor for the company.
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