How to fill a garden with artificial plants.

A step-by-step plan for a green, low-maintenance garden with artificial plants

Step 1. The terrace and the driveway

Artificial plants in pots are very well suited to the terrace or the driveway of your home. They give instant colour and are easy to move, for instance when extreme weather is on the way. Artificial boxwood is a good choice for the terrace or by the front door. Put it in a decorative pot or planter that suits the look of your home.

• Artificial boxwood
• Artificial olive trees in pots
• Artificial photinia

Artificial boxwood can also be planted as a hedge, along the driveway for instance. Artificial hedges also give you instant privacy. You could also opt for trellises with artificial climbers such as ivy. A perfect green cover for your wooden fence.

Step 2. Artificial plants against the house

Could the house itself use some dressing up? Artificial plants work there too, such as hanging plants in hanging baskets or balcony boxes with artificial plants under the windows. Artificial lavender is perhaps one of the most popular choices. This colourful plant may not have a scent, but it gives an instantly cheerful look.

• Artificial lavender
• Artificial cyclamen
• Artificial hydrangea

Extra tip! By choosing artificial plants in boxes or hanging pots, you can also change them easily with the seasons. In spring you might go for lavender and geraniums, then swap the artificial plants in autumn for pansies or cyclamen.

Step 3. Planting borders with artificial plants and trees

The advantage of artificial plants in your border is that they look natural without you having to think about upkeep or position. That is because you really do plant them in the ground and they become part of the garden. Create more depth by working with both low artificial plants and medium-sized artificial trees, such as fruit trees or olive trees.

• Artificial fruit trees
• Artificial palms and bamboo
• Artificial thuja

Work with complementary colours. You do not have to allow for planting distances, and you can put all species together, something that often causes problems with real plants.

Artificial plants in the garden? Here is what to bear in mind

• Do you want to plant the border with artificial plants? Then it is wise to lay down weed fabric or mulch first. That leaves weeds almost no chance.
• Place artificial plants relatively close together. That way you avoid empty gaps. Lay the plants out in the border first before you plant them.
• Always choose UV-resistant artificial trees or plants for the garden. These versions stand up to UV radiation, but also to rain and cold.

Which artificial garden plants are most popular?

Do you want to plant your garden with artificial plants? Then you have a choice of many different plants and trees. The most popular artificial plants right now include artificial fruit trees and olive trees, but hydrangea, thuja and lavender also do well.

An artificial hedge along the driveway or as a green boundary? Then choose laurel, an extendable artificial prunus hedge, flame-retardant mountain moss or cypress. Other popular UV-resistant artificial plants for a border or garden are alocasia, dracaena and artificial petunia. With this plan you will always have a green garden.