Benefits and Uses of

Artificial Plants and Flowers

“No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.”

English Proverb

We all feel the urge to get outside when the sun is shining and the days are getting longer and warmer. And with the advent of spring around us, our thoughts inevitably turn to our own gardening, whether that is crop, vegetable, herb or flower gardening, in acres of fields, large plots, back yards, or small containers.

Working in nature on larger scale, or decorating with plants, has become very popular recent times, since the start of the pandemic for sure, as we seek to reconnect with nature and explore its soul-nourishing impact and benefits. Many of us enjoy frequent visits to our local green houses, and sorting out the shrubs and flowers we want to plant for this season, or splitting existing plants with our gardener friends to spread the green bounty. But some of us with less green thumbs, who have trouble keeping anything green alive (I’m looking in the mirror) or with more challenging locations, like high summer heat, south-facing flower beds and patios, find our live plants require even more care, demand more time that we have, and seem to need replacing mid-season when the sun scorches them to bits, or if not replaced, leaving an undecorated space, which is not ideal.

And so, I’ve now discovered a little secret: professional decorators, even the famous ones, use artificial plants because they’re easy to incorporate with nature, bringing in some colour and joy into the space. Some avid flower gardeners have also shared that their live plant habit is very expensive when considering not only the plants themselves, but also the fertilizer, ground cover fabric, mulch, water, tools and time required to monitor and care for the plantings; so they too, are beginning to selectively choose artificial plants.

Where to start if you’ve never considered artificial plants before and are just venturing into this alternative to dressing your outdoor space? The following  are a few key tips to make artificial plants look real, and make you appear to have that proverbial green thumb!

• Buy quality plants and greenery. Stay away from the dollar store or bargain bin choices. Cottage Culture is now stocking some high quality, made in Canada, artificial plants and trees in hanging baskets and big planters.
• Keep your faux plants looking fresh and natural. Use a flower and plant UV protector to prevent discolouration or fading, also available at Cottage Culture, at the start of each season.
• Keep your artificial plants free of dust. Wipe down the leaves and flowers every now and then. A feather duster makes this task easy.
• Consider the shapes and patterns found in nature. Use them to create a flowing and seamless design – rocks, pebbles, wood can help create a sense of balance and harmony.
• Add moss, real soil or rocks to the container. That will help hide any plastic-y parts.
• Add water to a vase of plant stems or leaves. This contributes to the look of live greens. Also trim any metal bits protruding from the stems or paint with clear nail polish to prevent rust marks on the vase or container.

The next natural step is to consider how to incorporate artificial plants into your garden scheme or your patio, porch or balcony planter displays to add a touch of greenery and warmth to breathe new life into your outdoor environment. The following list of ideas should help spur your creativity.

1. Consider the Sun and Shade Consider the amount of sun and shade hitting each side of your garden or patio, and how live plants react to those factors, allowing you to select the types of faux plants consistent with each condition, and providing more realism. For example, if you have a shady spot in your garden, you can choose fake ferns, ivy, or hostas, which are all known to thrive in low-light conditions. On the other hand, if you have a sunny spot, you can choose faux succulents, cacti, or other sun-loving plants like bougainvillea and geraniums.
2. Mix artificial and live plants and flowers Mixing faux plants with real plants makes for a more realistic showing, whether it’s a mix of pots or a display within your garden.
3. Captivate with Planters and Containers One of the easiest ways to incorporate faux plants allowing you to create stunning arrangements of different types of plants, which can be placed in various locations throughout your garden.
4. Go Big on Variety A variety of faux plants in your garden can add depth and interest to your decor. Mixing different types of plants, such as flowers, succulents, tropicals and exotics and greenery, can create a vibrant and natural look. Consider using plants in different sizes, colors, and textures to create a dynamic garden display.

5. Vertical Wall Displays This allows you to add greenery to your garden without taking up valuable ‘floor space’. A variety of materials to create your vertical display include pallets, wire mesh, and hanging planters.

6. Hanging Garden Plant Display A hanging garden planter or basket design is a great idea to make use of the vertical space in your garden while also incorporating faux plants. You might create this look by using a hanging planter with multiple levels and filling each level with a variety of faux plants, or use a series of hanging baskets, creating a lush and full display perfect for adding color and texture to your outdoor space. These can be hung from a variety of metal garden hangers, tree branch, pergola or awning frame to create a stunning and eye-catching display.

7. Variations of Height Varying the height of your plants creates a layered look, achieved by placing taller plants towards the back of your garden and shorter plants towards the front,  and a garden both visually appealing and unique. Repurposing an old shelving unit, tiered stand or old step ladder is a creative way to add a touch of charm to your home garden decoration. You can place a variety of fake plants on each level to create an eye-catching display. This idea is particularly useful for smaller gardens or balconies where floor space is limited. To create this look, choose different types of plants with varying heights and textures. You can place taller plants at the top of the tiered stand or ladder and shorter ones at the bottom to create a balanced display. You could also add hanging planters or add hooks to the sides of a ladder to create even more space for plants.

8. Flowerpot Centerpiece A flower pot centerpiece is a simple and elegant way to incorporate faux plants into your garden decor. To create this look, you can use a large decorative pot and fill it with a variety of artificial garden flowers, succulents, or greenery. Then place the pot on a table or other elevated surface in your garden to create a beautiful and eye-catching centerpiece. Larger free standing urns may be employed as well, with real and faux plants sharing space, such as live dracaena with faux flowers surrounding it.

9. Stylishly Dress Up Garden Entrances To make a grand entrance to your garden, consider adding stylish decorations at the entrance. One idea is to use a decorative arch or trellis with climbing faux plants. Other ideas include using large stately urns on either side to mark the garden entrance, or potted plants and flowers to line the pathway to the garden. You can also add decorative items like hanging plants, lanterns, or strings of twinkle lights to create an inviting and welcoming entrance.

   Use Every Corner of Your Garden When decorating your garden with faux plants, don’t be afraid to use every corner of the space, including vertical surfaces like walls and fences. You can use artificial boxwood greenery walls, hanging flower baskets, wall planters, and trellis to add interest and texture to your garden. You might also consider using artificial grass for the garden to create a border along the edge of your garden or to fill in empty spaces between real plants. This will help create a cohesive and lush look throughout your garden.

10. Turn Your Garden into a Tropical Oasis If your vision is to create a relaxing and exotic atmosphere in your garden, consider turning it into a tropical oasis using faux plants. This can be achieved by using plants with large leaves, bright colors such as bougainvillea, and unique textures, such as palm trees, birds of paradise, or bamboo.

11. Make Use of Garden Ornaments as a Finishing Touch To add a finishing touch to your garden decor, consider the use of decorative ornaments like statues, birdbaths, or wind chimes. These ornaments can help tie together the different elements of your garden decor and create a cohesive and polished look. You can also use ornaments to add a touch of personality to your garden by choosing items that reflect your personal style and interests. For example, if you love animals, you can use animal-themed ornaments like bird feeders or animal statues to add a playful and whimsical touch to your garden. Another option to use is artificial topiary balls or topiary animals. And to complete your artificial garden decor look, you can add accessories like lanterns, outdoor rugs, and furniture made from natural look materials like rattan or wicker.

     

The artificial plants and flowers which Cottage Culture stocks are very low maintenance, Canadian-made, long-lasting and come in a variety of styles and sizes, ready to add a touch of greenery and warmth to your space.

If you are still feeling tentative or have questions, the staff at Cottage Culture is here to help, offering free styling advice. We can also create layouts of furniture you may be considering for your outdoor space. Visit our showroom in Hensall, Ont.