Faux and Fabulous: Stylish Tips for Winter Containers
CONTAINED
BRILLIANCE
Have you ever watched the game show Is It Cake? Contestants craft cakes that look exactly like everyday objects, trying to fool celebrity judges into thinking they're the real deal. It's a whimsical concept that playfully questions our perception of reality. I like to play a similar game in my container planting designs on occasion—but with plants. As we head into the darker, shorter days of the year, adding color and vibrancy to container plantings can be a challenge. That's when I love using a creative twist: blending faux elements with live plants in a way that keeps everyone guessing. Which plants are real, and which ones are fake?
I’ll be the first to admit, I love live plants. Their fragrance, texture, and ability to purify the air while lifting our spirits is unmatched. But there are times when faux plant material just makes sense. Whether you're dealing with challenging growing conditions or looking to stretch your creativity, faux plants—when used thoughtfully—can be great partners to living greenery, bringing a touch of the unexpected while keeping things fresh and low-maintenance.
Let’s dive into how you can artfully combine the two in your container gardens.
What is Faux Plant Material
Faux plant material is simply artificial plant elements, but the category also includes natural, non-living accents like dried pods or branches (think lotus pods or curly willow). Faux plants range from painted accents to incredibly realistic flowers and foliage, such as hellebores or rex begonias. The quality of today’s faux plants is astonishingly lifelike—high-end pieces can be almost indistinguishable from the real thing until you’re up close.
When to Incorporate Faux Elements
Let's be clear: I’m not suggesting you should replace all your live plants with fake ones. However, there are scenarios where faux elements can truly shine.
Low-Light or Challenging Conditions:
In spots where live plants struggle, like deep shade or high-traffic areas without irrigation, faux plants provide reliable color and structure.
Seasonal Displays:
Faux elements bridge seasonal transitions, adding vibrancy when live plants aren’t thriving. For instance, faux hellebores or berries stay bright and colorful even through frost.
Design Flexibility:
With wired stems that can be bent and shaped, faux plants are easy to manipulate, allowing you to highlight specific elements or create dramatic effects. They also come in shapes, sizes, and colors that may not be in season for live plants.
Reduced Maintenance:
Faux plants don’t need watering, pruning, or fertilizing, and they can be reused year after year. This makes them both low-maintenance and cost-effective.
Guidelines for Blending Faux and Real Plants
When mixing real and faux elements, the goal is to create seamless, stunning arrangements that keep people guessing. Here are some tips to get it right.
Invest in Quality
High-quality, UV-rated faux plants are worth the extra cost. They look more realistic and resist fading or discoloration from sunlight. The goal is to fool even seasoned plant lovers—not to end up with leaves that scream “plastic.”
Stick to Seasonal Themes
Choose faux plants that fit the season. In winter, faux hellebores, cyclamen, berries, and snow accents pair beautifully with evergreens. In spring, faux cherry blossoms charm, while tropical faux accents work beautifully for summer displays.
Blend Textures Thoughtfully
Play with texture to maintain interest, but avoid stark contrasts between real and faux materials. For example, soft faux flowers like hellebores pair beautifully with large-leafed live plants.
Echo Elements
Repeat faux elements across the arrangement to tie everything together. A single faux flower can look out of place unless its colors or textures are echoed elsewhere.
Use Faux as Fillers or Accents
Position faux elements where they’ll complement real plants—like tucked into the middle of a dense arrangement or used as bold focal points. For larger containers in low-light areas where a focal plant can struggle to thrive, consider investing in a substantial faux plant like faux yew or boxwood topiary. These anchor your design and allow you to swap out smaller live plants seasonally
Faux Favorites
Here are some of my go-to faux favorites, especially for winter containers:
Hellebores:
Their flowers look remarkably lifelike, especially when nestled among larger-leafed plants. I often trim the leaves (which can appear less realistic) and bend the stems for a natural look.
Cyclamen:
With their stunningly realistic leaves and blooms, faux cyclamen add elegance and a pop of color to winter containers without the risk of freezing.
Rex Begonias:
Trending for their dramatic foliage, faux rex begonias pair beautifully with tropical live plants in the warmer months.
Faux Berries:
From red holly berries to purple cotoneaster, faux berries are a festive, colorful addition that can be swapped out seasonally.
Faux Grasses:
Perfect for adding texture, whether as a backdrop or filler. I particularly like fake mondo grass for the texture and depth in color it adds.
Tips for Success
To create arrangements that impress, keep these tips in mind:
- Layer Generously:
Layer real and faux plants to create a lush, abundant display. The mix adds depth and texture, making it hard for people to tell which plants are real. - Maintain Both Real and Faux:
Don’t forget to care for your live plants—water, prune, and fertilize them as needed. Faux plants require attention too; give them an occasional dusting to keep them looking fresh. - Store Faux Elements with Care:
When the season ends, store your faux materials carefully to prevent bending or damage. Keep them organized for easy reuse next year. - Be Mindful of Placement:
Use faux plants strategically to enhance - not overpower - your live plants. Place them where they compleet the real plants' textures and colors.
Common Pitfalls
- Don’t Overdo It:
Limit the number of faux elements to avoid an overly artificial look. The goal is to complement your live plants, not overshadow them. - Avoid Clashing Styles:
Choose faux plants that blend well with their live counterparts in terms of light and water needs. For example, don’t mix faux sun-loving plants with real shade-lovers. A mismatch can detract from the plantings harmony and illusion of being real - Skip the Cheap Stuff:
Poorly made faux elements stand out for all the wrong reasons. Invest in quality pieces to ensure they enhance your design rather than detract from it.
Final Thoughts
While live plants will always be my first choice for container designs, there’s no shame in incorporating faux elements when the situation calls for it. A thoughtful mix of real and artificial plants can result in a vibrant, low-maintenance display that elevates your outdoor living space. Experiment, play, and let your creativity shine. With a bit of intention and ingenuity, your containers can be both beautiful and believable—keeping everyone guessing, "is it real"?
Happy Holidays and Happy Container Gardening!
