Artificial Flowers & Plants

Choosing artificial flowers for a vase

If you are browsing by mood rather than by bloom, start with the artificial flowers section. Stems and sprays let you build an arrangement in your own vase: a spray branches out and fills space quickly, while a stem gives a cleaner, upright line. Where a title says bouquet, the flowers come already gathered and only need a vase.

We stock alliums, whose round heads on tall, bare stems add height without bulk. We stock some proteas too, for a bolder, more sculptural vase. To keep an arrangement from looking stiff, mix heights and turn the heads so they face different ways.

Artificial roses and hydrangeas

Artificial roses come into their own where a small, close posy suits best, such as a dining table or bedside. Use a short vase and let the heads touch, and even a modest bunch looks generous.

We stock artificial hydrangeas too, and their broad heads fill a vase with very little effort, so they are kind to beginners. Some are cone-shaped, for a taller, more pointed outline. As a rule, roses give detail and hydrangeas give volume, so mixing them rarely goes wrong. We stock a few peonies as well, with full, layered petals that sit beautifully in a low bowl.

Artificial eucalyptus and foliage

We stock artificial eucalyptus, the filler we reach for first: tuck sprays around roses or hydrangeas to soften them, or stand a bundle by itself in a plain jug. We also stock many foliage stems and leafy sprays, and they are what make faux flowers look grown rather than placed, so add more than you think you need.

We stock some pampas grass too, and its feathery plumes give height and movement to a tall floor vase. Dried stems, which we stock as well, bring a warmer, more textured look and sit happily beside pampas or eucalyptus.

Potted artificial plants and trees

We stock many potted artificial plants, ready to set down without repotting, and many pieces sit in ceramic pots or vases that suit a console or kitchen worktop. There are some palms too, which fill a corner with leafy width. We also stock some orchids, which suit a desk or dressing table.

We stock artificial trees for a bare corner, a landing or the end of a hallway. Among them are some olive trees, which give greenery without bulk. Measure first and check the height in the product details: a floor tree should rise well above a sofa back. If a tree arrives in a plain grower's pot, drop it into a heavier planter of your own.

Trailing and hanging artificial plants

We stock trailing and hanging artificial plants for high spots that are awkward to water, such as the top of a tall cupboard or bookcase. Let the strands fall unevenly and twist them loosely together, so they look settled rather than staged. A garland can run along a mantelpiece, a banister or the length of a dining table.

For Christmas, we stock trees, wreaths, garlands and festive stems. Once the decorations come down, store them boxed in a cool, dry cupboard.

Living with artificial flowers and plants

Green and white are our largest colour groups, and we stock many pieces in pink, purple, red, cream, beige and brown. Most pieces suit a living room, and many are just as happy in a hallway, dining room, kitchen, study, bedroom or bathroom. We stock modern, rustic and classic styles; match the mood of the room, then echo a shade from a cushion or rug.

There is no watering to remember, just a gentle dust with a soft, dry cloth now and then. Keep them out of strong, direct sun, and read the care notes on the product before reaching for a damp cloth.