Patent ID: 6953115

Claim:
A plant package comprising a sleeve and a potted plant disposed therein, the package produced by the method comprising the steps of: providing a potted plant comprising a pot and a floral grouping disposed in the pot, the pot having a lower end, an upper rim and an outer peripheral surface; providing a sleeve comprising: a decorative lower portion having an upper end, a base portion sized to contain and surround the pot, a lower end, an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, the decorative lower portion having a flattened state wherein the base portion of the decorative lower portion is tapered and wherein the decorative lower portion of the sleeve is openable from the flattened state to an opened position wherein the inner peripheral surface of the decorative lower portion defines and encompasses an inner retaining space, an opening being formed through the upper end of the decorative lower portion in communication with the inner retaining space, and the sleeve having a gusset in the lower end thereof; an upper portion connected to the upper end of the decorative lower portion and detachable therefrom via a detaching element in the sleeve; separating the decorative lower portion of the sleeve from the upper portion of the sleeve by tearing along the detaching element thereby forming a non-linear upper peripheral edge on the decorative lower portion of the sleeve; opening the decorative lower portion of the sleeve into the opened position thereby exposing the inner retaining space of the decorative lower portion; and disposing the potted plant in the inner retaining space of the decorative lower portion of the sleeve with the lower end of the pot positioned upon the lower end of the decorative lower portion whereby the decorative lower portion of the sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the pot.