CASE STUDY: The Forgotten Art of Burlapping

A Study in Finish, Form, and the Standard We Refuse to Compromise

Context: Where Most Installations End, Ours Begin

Within the world of event plant rentals in South Florida, there is a quiet detail often overlooked — the finish at the base of a plant.

Most live foliage rental providers operate within a standard:

• A plant is delivered

• A planter is optional

• If omitted, the plant is simply placed — sometimes with a loose burlap wrap, sometimes without

Even among reputable companies offering professional setup and delivery, the emphasis remains on placement, not refinement.

And that is where the distinction begins.

At Temporary Tropics, we do not “place” plants.
We complete them.

The Forgotten Detail: Burlapping as a Design Element

When a client opts for plant rentals without planters, the industry standard often results in an unfinished visual — exposed liners, loose fabric, or minimal attention to base styling.

We view this differently.

We approach burlapping not as a necessity, but as a design opportunity.

Our process:

• Each burlap piece is fresh-cut and sized intentionally

• Wrapped with precision and tension control

• Tailored into a tapered, architectural silhouette

• Finished with a clean, editorial-grade presentation

The result is a plant that feels complete, elevated, and deliberate — even without a planter.

A Comparative Study in Execution

Let’s observe the distinction — not in critique, but in clarity.

Temporary Tropics — Our Standard

In the forest installation image:

• The burlap is structured and contoured, not draped

• The base reads as intentional design, not an afterthought

• Each plant holds a uniform, polished silhouette

• The composition contributes to the overall environment, not just fills space

Industry Standard — Common Execution

In the marina palm example:

• The burlap is loosely wrapped, with minimal shaping

• The base appears secondary to the plant itself

• There is little to no refinement in presentation

• The overall effect is functional — not styled

This is not a matter of capability.
It is a matter of standard.

The Temporary Tropics Philosophy: Set + Style

Many companies in the plant rental service Florida market operate efficiently — delivering, placing, and exiting.

We operate differently.

We are a set + on-site styling service.

Every installation is treated with:

• Editorial awareness

• Luxury hospitality standards

• Design continuity from concept to execution

And at the center of this standard is our co-founder and master botanist, Joseph Michel.

Joseph Michel: The Final Edit

Joseph does not leave a set unfinished.

At the conclusion of every installation, he:

• Reviews each plant individually

• Adjusts positioning, fullness, and orientation

• Refines burlap shaping and tension

• Ensures visual consistency across the entire environment

This final pass is not operational.
It is artistic direction.

It is the difference between a completed job and a completed experience.

Beyond Burlap: A Note on Planter-Less Installations

For clients seeking a more immersive approach, we also offer planter-less, fully concealed foliage installations — where burlap is hidden entirely through layered greenery and environmental styling.

We explore this in depth here on another blog post - click here to be routed to that blog post.

However, even in its simplest form — a single plant, burlapped — the same standard applies.

Why This Matters

In high-level environments — corporate events, brand activations, luxury weddings, and experiential design — perception is built on detail.

A plant is never just a plant.

It is:

• A framing device

• A brand extension

• A visual cue of quality and intention

And the base — often overlooked — is what grounds the entire composition.

Our Position, Simply Stated

We do not compromise on finish.
We do not scale down standards to meet budget.
We do not believe in “good enough” when it comes to presentation.

We understand that many providers offer event greenery rentals and tropical plant rentals in Florida.

But for those who require:

• Precision in execution

• Editorial-level styling

• A result that reads as complete, not assembled

There is a clear distinction.

Closing Thought

Burlapping, at its core, is simple.

But in the right hands — with intention, discipline, and pride —
it becomes something else entirely:

A finishing touch that transforms a plant into a designed object.

And that is the standard we hold — every time, without exception.