Real vs. Real looking

 I would never think about using fake or artificial flowers in my garden. You know those people, the ones who buy the fake stems with blooms and poke them in the soil in the spring and are content because they have a worry free border. No water, no deadheading, no fertilizing, no cares, perfect from one season to the next. That is until the blooms start to fade from the sun and the foliage becomes dirty and ragged.Who are they trying to fool...... this is not a good look. The first mistake is using something that was intended for indoor use outside. Plastic and silk flowers are not made to withstand the ravages of weather.

 Recently I was commissioned to do a flower arrangement for a client of mine using artificial flowers. I was amazed with the selection of life-looking blooms. Lillie's,Hosta,and Callas, all very real looking.....to be used indoors of course. Everything has it's place, no harsh weather here.

 There are advantages to using artificial flowers indoors, no water, no mess, and always perfect especially great if you want to keep your home clean. Did I mention no insects.

 I have used artificial blooms before with live materials for a special effect, here fake cattails are surrounded with miniature pumpkins and ting-ting for height. This fall display was only temporary and was removed before harsh weather set in.

 In this winter pot arrangement I used curly willow branches,red dogwood twigs tied with preserved protea blooms. Boxwood branches and artificial apples and pears make up the bottom coller. These arrangements were on a covered porch that gave them winter protection. If you use artificial material it should be in a protected area....safe.

We do have several arificial arrangements in our house, they do brighten dark corners where real flowers just would'nt work. Sometimes real-looking is just best.

I also used plastic fruit in my holiday decorating....why not? It has to be long lasting,and I'll be able to use it again next year. Plastic fruit can be very realistic and it dosen't rot!..... it's a good thing!

Real flowers have thier place too. This arrangement was just for the holidays,it was nice on the dinner table.

Plastic fruit replaced the real arrangement when the holidays were done, this is our staple centerpeice....until we switch it out for a real flowers, this way we'll have the best of both worlds. This works for me!