Plastic plants?! If the thought of fake foliage fills you with horror, you’re missing a trick. I went down to ITV studios to present a piece on artificial gardens for This Morning, to prove that fake plants can have a place in our gardens.
But first, I couldn’t resist taking a photo of the legendary sofas where Eamonn and Ruth, and of course Phillip and Holly sit.
Five or so years ago, I presented on the show regularly for about three years. It’s so nice to be back in the studio with these guys.
I did my presentation on the balcony, which is just outside ITV studios on the South Bank. This is the view: you can see St Paul’s in the background. Always while I’m presenting, people are walking along the road and looking up at the back of my head!
The piece I did followed on from a newspaper article featuring somebody who performed a garden makeover using just artificial plants. I brought loads of fake plants and an artificial lawn down to the studios with me to make over the balcony in just one hour!
Here’s a shot just after we’ve put the lawn down, and the cameraman is taking some panning shots. It was a beautiful piece of lawn, supplied by the Neil Sweeting at the Artificial Lawn Company.
This is the premium range at £27.95 per square metre, but there are cheaper versions. It’s spectacular stuff and makes an instant difference to the balcony. It’s perfect for spaces with no soil, like balconies and roof gardens.
Here I’m sitting down after we’ve finished landscaping. It’s a great spot with the table and chairs surrounded by all those plants. It’s perfect if you’ve got a balcony and want to make it greener.
We put hedging around the outside, and all the artificial plants were supplied by Evergreen Direct. They sent a whole wagon full of plants from Yorkshire for me to organise and display. There were some stunning faux flowers, so thanks to Georgina for all her help!
And here is the finished garden! You really would not know those plants are artificial without really inspecting them.
Now you know my stance: I am a horticulturist and I would always choose and advocate real plants. But there are times when artificial plants are a good option:
1 When it is impossible to grow real plants. This can include a small balcony or roof garden that isn’t suitable for a lawn because it has no soil, or a huge hanging basket that is too difficult to water.
2 For people who are unable to garden, perhaps due to illness or disability. Better to have a lush green view than just grey concrete or bare brick!
3 For holiday homes when the owners are not around most of the time to care for a real garden.
It is amazing modern technologies companies can use. The plants are made from a mixture of silk and polyethylene, known as polysilk. The silk gives it softness and detail, while the polyethylene makes it strong and durable.
Here is the border. These are stunning plants, and there are so many options available! Fake oleanders with those white flowers and red geraniums. The artificial privet hedge and cordylines are great too. Plus you can see the ivy and blue pansies!
I also used artificial bamboos in the background. The actual wood is real bamboo, but the leaves are fake.
To show how convincing these artificial plants are, I put Eamonn and Ruth to the test, trying to decipher which of these plants is fake!
The phalaenopsis orchids were up first, and Eamonn managed to guess that the one with the most flowers was fake. It’s on the right hand side.
Next up were the two hanging baskets. I’m taking this photo fairly close up, but if they were hung high up you would never know! These are ideal for places where it would be too difficult to water them. It looks that good all year round, regardless of the weather and rainfall. The fake one is on the left.
Which of these Mother-in-law’s tongue plants is fake? Answer: they both are! Gotcha.
But did you know that the real plant is almost as tough as the fake ones? They last for years and can survive with little water and sunshine, so they’re a great real plant to have if you don’t have much time for gardening.
All in all, I had a great day seeing some old friends, and meeting some new ones in ITV Studio 8, and I hope to be back again in the future. Thanks for having me!
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
Those are really good, Artificial outdoor plants best idea, I like to implement and people also try this Artificial plants….Thanks for sharing this post
Artificial outdoor plants best idea and it will help to people who are unable to go in garden, those plants looking fresh… thanks such good things