I guess I’m partially embarrassed and partially excited to tell you about the fake plants I “planted” in these pots right outside the dining room. Unfortunately, I didn’t inherit a green thumb from either of my gardening expert parents, so I took matters into my own hands and went the faux route this spring.
36″ Pond Cypress Topiary | Podocarpus Double Ball Topiary | 18″ Boxwood Ball | 60″ Cedar Pine Tree
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Okay, I guess my thumb isn’t completely cursed because last summer, we planted a container garden of herbs, and they grew wonderfully. Some of the herbs grew quicker than Chris had need for, and some couldn’t keep up with the demand! In the winter, Chris harvested the chives and thyme, but everything else went dormant, so admittedly, Chris said he’d rather get fresh herbs from our state Farmer’s market than be disappointed when he goes out to snip fresh basil, and it’s not there.
Alas, we nixed the container garden, and all the pots and planters have remained untouched since. So when Grandin Road was having their 30% off sale, I caved and bought some faux shrubs for the abandoned planters. I already have two of their cedar pines that I keep by the pool, and they look absolutely real after a full year of being outside, so I felt brave enough to add a few more by this wall.
We’ve spent a lot of money planting over 500 real plants and trees all over our yard over the last six months, and some have survived, and others have not (they get replaced for free) and it’s been so fun to watch our yard come together. As for this little corner, feels amazing to have a mature look that’s not going anywhere. Ideally a drip line to these pots would allow us to plant something like this here, but I’m going to save my gardening sheers for the rest of the yard. I love the way the taller heights break up this brick wall where the old built in grill was.
Oh and these faux shrubs are also a great option for by a front door!
On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your gardening skills? Be honest. Would you ever go with something faux outside?
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Other posts about the backyard.
The start of our container garden, and all the best planters
Love this!!! I joke that I can barely keep weeds alive! I’m all about faux plants in a container or hanging but prefer real in the ground.
Faux will be the way to go in PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Where my balcony is very hot. However I will persevere with real plants when I am back home in Toronto, CA. Can’t beat.
I’m curious, too, about how they hold up to weather in Raleigh (I’m also there). I know there are some faux plants designed to resist UV rays, etc. I have had the same problem with just “regular” faux plants, in that they don’t hold up to the relentless sun here in NC. I recently downsized to a townhouse where there is hot, hot, hot sun reflecting off of lots of concrete and siding on my back patio. Real plants in containers just get fried in the summer, and in the winter, with temps often pretty mild, I’d love to sit out there surrounded by some greenery. I’m in the market for a faux tree for privacy and some coverage of the utility boxes on the wall, and I’m hesitant about investing a lot in an expensive faux option unless I know it will last at least several years. FYI: I had some faux plants at my last house, which was more like Chris and Julia’s, and I do think an open space with lots of air and less reflective surfaces (wood, grass, etc.) helps.
We have the same problem. Very hot and sunny entryway and all plants got fried. I put a nice faux ficus, sprayed it constantly with a sunguard spray that supposed to prevent things from fading, and nothing helped. 2 years after the leaves forgot they were once green, and now they have this very unnatural bluish color. Obviously this plant is going to the trash, which means landfill, and I feel pretty bad for buying it in the first place. I would NEVER EVER put a faux plant outside. They might look good in photos, but they don’t last, and to be honest – they look faux regardless, and the last thing I want is a plastic greenery outside. Inside is a different story.
I’m so happy to see this post! I live in Dallas, Texas. When I retired, I downsized to a condo with a small, fenced patio. I have a green thumb and I’ve had pretty good luck with the perennials I’ve planted, but I was having no luck keeping anything alive in the pots on the plant hangers on my fence. The plants would just cook in the heat, and finally I switched to faux plants, something I never thought I’d do, but after two years they still look GREAT, and following my example, my daughter recently did the same thing in a tough spot outside her house, where nothing would grow. I’m happy to see influencers like you addressing this issue. Thank you!
Nice House Dear. I wish to make a cool home like this.
Thanks and Regards
Jency Mathew
Pro Cochin House Shifting and Moving Packers