If you imagine silk flowers, what comes to mind? Maybe you’re visualizing a dusty Ficus “planted” in a bed of Spanish moss. Or maybe that all-too-familiar arrangement on the reception desk at the dentist’s office. Maybe you are picturing blooms so fake you can’t even identify which flower they’re supposed to look like.
Just a few years ago this was the reputation of the faux product available. But these days, silk product is having a renaissance.
Can you tell which Phalaenopsis are faux? Hard isn’t it? That’s the point!
The quality of the product has so greatly increased, you wouldn’t dare compare it to the product from a few years ago. By experimenting with a variety of new materials, shapes, and colors, vendors have created more effective mimics of the real deal. The new silks for hydrangea, lavender, and Phalaenopsis orchids, just to name a few, are so realistic it’s impressive.
Because of the improved quality, the interest in silk product has increased and designers are incorporating the product into more of their work. By leveraging silk’s best qualities (longevity, invulnerability, strength, and flexibility), a florist can turn silk product into an essential mechanic in their design toolkit.
Consider using faux hydrangea for large scale installations this summer. By swapping the real with silk you can ensure the product will not look wilted for the event! The hydrangeas in the yellow bucket are faux, don’t they look convincing?
For instance, faux makes an incredible base for large scale installations for weddings and events. Because of the extra long stems, wire base, and plastic coating, it can be built into the structural fabric of an installation. With artificial product as the support, you can build a strong, beautiful foundation for hanging installations and large ceremony decor. It is especially useful because, of course, it does not require water. With silk, you can build your design even weeks in advance or design a huge installation that can withstand the heat of the summer.
This Baby’s Breath arch, designed by Good Earth Flowers and Events in Culpeper, VA, uses silk white cherry blossoms as the structural base of the arch. The silk blends beautifully and provided the support needed to attach the many stems of baby’s breath. Photo: Nat Wongsaroj Photography
Additionally, when designing with faux, use it in designs that you will get back at the end of the event. Then reuse it for your next event! By reusing faux product, you can maximize your return on investment.
To use silk floral product most convincingly:
- Mix fresh and artificial. If you mix faux with real product, your designs will appear real to any bride, even those with a sharp eye. You can also recommend silk to your retail customers as a cost-effective investment for weekly fresh arrangements. Design faux as a reusable base and pair with fresh flowers. Then change out the real flowers weekly, and only change the faux base as needed.
- Keep it at a distance. The farther away, the more likely it is to pass as the real deal. Use silk in elevated designs or hanging from a chandelier. If you put faux where it can be touched or sniffed, someone might get wise.
- If using it close up (centerpieces or bouquets) seek customer approval. Silk product is sometimes the best way to include otherwise delicate product such as Lily of the Valley.
By using silk, Good Earth Flowers and Events was able to use magnolia blossom as a statement focal for this bouquet.
- Design seasonally. There’s nothing more obvious than out-of-season product. By changing your silk product offerings with the season, not only will your customers not bat an eye, but you will automatically provide your customers with a stylistic and timely refresh.
- Take care of it. Clean it and pack it away so when it is not in use so it won’t get dusty. Be sure to store it so it doesn’t tangle or knock florets off.
The aloe in the white bucket is faux. It looks (and feels) just like the real thing!
- Know which product works best as a silk. Some flowers that have a plastic-y or rubbery appearance in real life make terrific faux product. The faux ginger, orchids, trailing sedums and succulents look so real it’s unbelievable!
This gorgeous dogwood chandelier by Southern Blooms in Madison, VA demonstrates how successful silks are when used strategically. In the chandelier, the silks are distant enough to be convincing. Paired with fresh flowers on the table, the guests would never suspect the chandelier flowers are not real. Photo: Laura Gordon
Spring is an excellent season to work with silks. It is a great way to extend the season of short season blooms like cherry blossom, viburnum, or other blossoming branches. It will be useful as you go into your wedding season, and of course it will have its place on Mother’s Day and Memorial Day for remembrance designs.
Check out our online catalog of artificial flowers and foliage and reach out to our supply team with any questions!
Pair your silks with: