There was a time when to resort to such a thing might have been regarded sniffily. And yet these days the dupes are so convincing that we say they are just the thing to tide us over. It’s unavoidable that the scent can’t mimic the real thing but, on the plus side, you’ll only need buy them once, which is good news for our post-Christmas bank balances. Plus, they’re eco-friendly, thanks to both lasting forever and not having travelled all around the world to put a smile upon our faces.
These are the brands you need to know if you, like us, are faking it until you make it in the flower department.
OKA
Good old OKA can always be relied upon to do a thing properly. Its excellent range of faux flowers and foliage is extremely convincing, featuring everything from beautiful bouquets to delicate orchids to glorious garlands – none of which will droop nor throw a strop if you don’t water them. We like the Faux Easter Lily, Anemone, Hydrangea and Eucalyptus Bunch for £175 which, though pricey, will delight you forever. Explore the range here.
Abigail Ahern
Abigail Ahern is known for her sultry signature style, effortless glamour and abiding wit. It stands to reason, then, that her excellent array of faux flowers come in at the more dramatic end of the scale. You can even buy a large potted olive tree (£654), as well as faux ferns, trailing eucalyptuses and peonies to stuff your vases with forevermore. We particularly like the Sweetgum Bunch in all its textural glory. Explore the range here.
The Faux Flower Company
Formerly known as Amaranthine Blooms, The Faux Flower Company founder Janey began her foray into the world of faux flowers a decade ago when she lived in Hong Kong. Since then, she has moved back to the UK and set up her HQ in Cheltenham, where each flower her company produces is handmade and hand-painted for a convincingly natural and organic look. We love the Pink Peony & Vase Silk Arrangement (£72). Explore the range here.
Bloom
Ex-stylist Tiffany had the idea for starting a business selling silk flowers after a trip to Los Angeles, where she saw first-hand how impressive the new generation of artificial flowers could be. In her day job, she had seen how much money her clients were willing to drop on flowers for shoots – flowers that would soon wilt and go over. What if, then, she could create the same effect, but one that would last a lifetime, and bring pleasure for years to come? In 1999, from an old woollen mill in west Wales, she and her husband Laurent began to create their floral creations, inspired by the wildflowers around them, and they have been doing so ever since. We like the Large Fontaine Bouquet (NOW £74.50, was £149) very much indeed. Explore the range here.
Blooming Artificial
Want a pretty posy that will last forever? Blooming Artificial has that covered. Want trees and hedging and topiary that will do the same job? It can do that too, giving a lush look to the garden, as well as indoors, all year round. Sure, they may not attract pollinators to your garden or smell as fragrant, but for some gardeners, interspersing the odd faux plant can bulk out the look, keep the garden looking lovely all year round and, crucially, reduce the workload. Imagine the Bay Laurel Bush Ball (£44) lit up with fairy lights on either side of your front door. Explore the range here.
Sarah Raven
The woman credited with bringing the beautiful dahlia back into fashion as well as being the brains behind the famous cutting garden at her Perch Hill home is, it transpires, not immune to the charms of the faux floral. Who better, after all, to reproduce realistic flowers than a someone who grows them for a living? We are taken with these Sorbus stems, which would add lushness to any bunch of flowers – faux or the real deal. Explore the range here.
By Nancy Alsop
January 2024
