| Planting silk plants outdoors in shady areas. | | | | rose and peony swags can sway from post to |
| Consider artificial azaleas, pansies, geranium and | | | | post. Use plastic cable ties (available at your local |
| ferns in locations with poor sunlight for an instant | | | | hardware store) to attach them to your |
| splash of color! Artificial flowers and plants are | | | | structure. This makes the installation (and take |
| simple to plant--just stick in the ground! You can | | | | down) super easy. Adorn the posts with tulle, |
| place mulch around them to add to the visual | | | | bows or with mementos such as rattles for a |
| effect as well. Although flowers are generally | | | | baby shower, or two champagne glasses for a |
| color-fast and won't fade too much over time, | | | | wedding shower. For other theme events, such |
| the same may not be true to artificial foliage, as it | | | | as patriotic parties, birthdays or holiday events, |
| may loose its green coloration sooner. Try | | | | pick flower bushes, swags or garlands that will |
| spraying your plants with a sealer and UV | | | | coordinate with the colors you are choosing. Do |
| protector, typically available at hardware stores in | | | | you want to decorate just posts? Get a clay pot, |
| the paint department. This will definitely preserve | | | | which you could paint if you choose, and add |
| greenery coloring much longer. Silk flowers are | | | | some floral foam and Spanish moss to hide the |
| also a great alternative for areas frequented by | | | | foam. "Fluff" a silk flowering bush and then plant it |
| wild life. Artificial cabbages (kale) work fantastically | | | | into your container. Attach the container to the |
| in areas where deer roam. | | | | posts using cable ties. Hide the cable tie by adding |
| Planting silk flowers in window boxes. | | | | a wide ribbon, which could end up on a bow. You |
| So you've pulled the ladder out, climbed it to | | | | can also use artificial teardrop swags to decorate |
| reach the flower boxes outside of your windows, | | | | posts. Ready? Set? Decorate! |
| planted the flowers (Wow! They look great!), | | | | Indoor artificial plantscaping. |
| climbed off, put the ladder away and realized you | | | | Decorating indoors? Plantscaping a building lobby? |
| have a big dilemma before you...how to water | | | | Foliage bushes make a great permanent backdrop |
| them? Whether high or low, window boxes look | | | | next to which seasonal live or artificial flowers can |
| magnificent with the addition of trailing artificial | | | | be added. Maintenance of real plants can be |
| springerii (maiden hair fern), silk grasses and filler | | | | stressing and expensive. Silk plants and flowers |
| flowers. You can use floral foam and moss to fill | | | | provide a viable alternative to real. When planning |
| the box, or simply use dirt. Start with your trailing | | | | your plantscaping projects avoid crowding your |
| material and plant around the sides and front of | | | | items. Space is just as important as filled areas. |
| the box--really close to the edge, then plant the | | | | On paper, divide your area by square feet. A |
| row closest to the window. This should be the | | | | good rule of thumb is to select one plant per 1.5 |
| highest row. Then follow with one or two shorter | | | | to 2 sq. ft. Chose a variety of heights, including |
| rows, so that the shortest row is closest to the | | | | low ground covers. Before starting your project |
| front of the box. Intermix grasses and flowers | | | | create silk plant groups or 3 or more, placing the |
| for a great effect. If your boxes are at street | | | | tallest one at the back. If your grouping is closest |
| level, make sure to fluff your flowers--that is to | | | | to the left end of the bed, then the second tallest |
| bend the stems in an S-shape to watch your silk | | | | should be to the left and the shortest to the right. |
| flowers come alive. Important tip: If your boxes | | | | If, on the contrary, your grouping is closest to |
| are on the second story, make sure the flowers | | | | the right, the second tallest should go to the right. |
| are not only fluffed, but pointed down so that | | | | This will make for a visually pleasing and well |
| you can see them from the street level. | | | | balanced plantscape bed. Cover your bed with |
| Otherwise, only passing birds and neighbors across | | | | mulch or with dirt. You can also add other |
| the street will be able to best appreciate the best | | | | garden-type decorative objects to the in-between |
| view. Spray your silk plantings with a sealer and | | | | areas for interest. |
| UV protector to preserve their look. The best | | | | Real Touch artificial flowers. |
| bonus? No watering required! | | | | One of the growing trends in the silk flower |
| Decorating outdoor structures with silk flowers | | | | industry has been the use of Real Touch flowers. |
| and plants. | | | | Also known as Natural Touch or Real Feel |
| Trellises and gazebos are a great addition to any | | | | flowers, these flowers are so realistic and |
| backyard. They are especially a wonderful | | | | nature-like, that they not only look real to the last |
| gathering space when entertaining or hosting | | | | detail, but feel real to the touch as well. These |
| special events. Dressing them up for these | | | | flowers have been coated with a special finish |
| purposes is fairly easy. Once you've established | | | | which is palpably different to anything that had hit |
| your theme, your creativity is only the starting | | | | the market before. Manufacturers have created |
| point. Shop for ready-mades to decorate in a | | | | beautiful roses, tulips, gerbera daisies and orchids |
| snap. Artificial Ready-mades are groups of artificial | | | | to name a few. Real Touch flowers are fast |
| flowers that have been put together in various | | | | becoming the most requested type of flower for |
| forms for your convenience. Silk ready-mades | | | | silk weddings. Just place a dozen Real Touch rose |
| include: swags, garlands and bushes. Are you | | | | buds in a vase with water for a Can't believe |
| hosting an outdoor wedding or shower? Large | | | | they're not real! reaction every time. |