Image via Domino Magazine. Designer, Stephen ShubelWhen I first saw this photo, I had no idea that this boxwood hedge is actually artificial boxwood. I think it looks great and wouldn't hesitate to use in it in a small space such as a concrete patio or a rooftop deck (properly secured!). In this case, the hedge hides an ugly chain link fence. What do you think? Is artificial greenery the way to go if you can't have a garden or is it best to forgo if you can't have the real thing?
I'm not a fan of artificial anything, but it looks pretty good to me, especially next to that black & white striped cabana...
ReplyDeleteI usually think all plants should be the real deal.....but there are exceptions to every rule! And in this case. I love it!
ReplyDeleteakmagnoliahouse.com
AK xx
Know what? To enable privacy & add "green" to this tiny little area I would definitely use the artificial hedge. I had no idea this was available. Think how easy it would be to plant Mandevilla below & before you knew it flowers would be everywhere. xx's
ReplyDeletehi deborah,
ReplyDeletewow, this is a tough one. the picture looks really pretty but i wonder what it looks like in real life? i think the black and white awning helps a lot, just like holly above stated. a house down the street from ours has an artificial lawn and when you drive by you don't notice it at all but when you walk by it really looks fake. so i guess it just depends.
~janet
No, that looks great. Who would know unless told or you actually felt it I guess. Perfect also for people renting!
ReplyDeleteMmmm, interesting - it looks good in your photo but wonder what it would look like close up? My neighbour has a fake lawn (like does Janet's neighbour) and I have to say it looks good from afar but does not feel good when you stand on it!! x
ReplyDeleteI have to be honest, it looks, well, fake - too shiny. However, I think its a great idea for a small place that requires privacy. Good choice.
ReplyDeleteAs a Landscape Designer I usually go for all real, all the time, but there are circumstances where this is the best option...I have been known to use a fake fern in a hanging basket in a spot it wouldn't live otherwise...Shhh!! *Amy
ReplyDeletedeborah
ReplyDeletethis is one of my all time favorite tear outs.
there is a company in england that makes them; www.fake.com, but shipping is very expensive. i buy the sheets and wrap forms which is really easy to do. and......they look quite real. let's have a class in chicago....your turn to come!
xo
d
Love the photo, but would have to see this is in person to make the call. I'm not a fan of fake outside, but as others have said there are exceptions to everything. Great discussion.
ReplyDeleteI am all for fake. Let's face it - we all can't have a gardener or a garden that is perfect. haha. Actually I do not like fake plants but I do have a fake boxwood shrub that looks very smart in the dead of winter.
ReplyDeletexo Terri
I'm a purist. The real thing or nothing at all. That goes for most anything. I want real cream and real sugar in my coffee--and buxus sempervirens in my garden! Great post.
ReplyDeleteI don't do fake plants, but I think it looks great in the photo, and since it's a small space with no real dirt I suppose it could work. It definitely gets an 'A' for a creative solution! I really like how they made it look like individual boxwoods, instead of all one.
ReplyDeletejoan
Interesting comments from everyone on fake vs. real Deborah. I guess one should keep an open mind on these sort of things. During our recent prolonged drought a lot of fake lawn was sold, but people are now whingeing that they hate it & are ripping it up & replanting the real stuff. My brother-in-law owns a turf farm, so he's very happy!
ReplyDeleteMillie ^_^
Thanks for the comments everyone! It was interesting reading about artificial lawns--that was a new one for me, not having seen them around Boston (thank goodness). I guess I have no issues with artificial greenery used sparingly in small spaces, but applied only vertically!
ReplyDeleteDeborah
Hi Dear Boxwood-
ReplyDeleteI have seen this faux boxwood in person--it is at the loft of San Francisco designer STEPHEN SHUBEL...who should have been credited here, along with the photographer.
It is a most artful way of blocking out both sound (freeway) and a bad view with this instant hedge. It is very functional and as the designer travels it is also totally reliable. In person, even up close, it looks very convincing.
cheers...DIANE
www.thestylesaloniste.com
Hi Diane:
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment and for letting me know that this lovely space was designed by Stephen Shubel. I have noted the credit below the photo. Unfortunately, I do not know who photographed this space as I did not obtain the photo from Domino Magazine, but from the web, where it has been featured on various other websites and blogs. If you or anyone else knows the name of the photographer, please email me and I'll be glad to add his/her name as well.
Deborah
I think this looks great!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that we have fake grass in our back yard. Our large tree makes our yard so shady that all we grow is mud! The fake grass looks great, and even our pups love it.
xo
Brooke
Nice idea, I like green wall,
ReplyDeleteHi Deborah,
ReplyDeleteI thought your readers might be interested in learning more about the faux boxwood shown in the Domino article. This site sells an outdoor rated boxwood mat panel that is used to create boxwood hedges and walls.
http://www.commercialsilk.com/outdoor-artificial-foliages_boxwood-mat-foliage-exterior-_p_460.aspx
http://www.commercialsilk.com/toolkit/post/artificial-boxwood-faux-hedge.aspx
http://www.commercialsilk.com/outdoor-artificial-plants_boxwood-hedge-trimmed-topiary-exterior-_p_364.aspx
Really fantastic blog!!!
ReplyDelete