I love fresh flowers and lush plants but, sadly, they don't seem to like, let alone love, me. If a bouquet of flowers is 'guaranteed' to last seven days, they'll be gone in three with me. I don't know why but I'm the kiss of death to houseplants. Bye, bye begonia. For years I tried to cultivate some green fingers, optimistically buying lovely flowering houseplants, cacti and other arrangements to add colour and a splash of nature to my urban surroundings. But, not now. I'm done with distressing the flora. Now, I simply fake it and I'm not the least bit ashamed to admit it. Why should I when I can admire beauties like the 'orchids' above on a daily basis without any risk of wilting?

People can be a bit sniffy about faux flowers (no pun intended) but I reckon just because something isn't real, it doesn't take away from its beauty or make it any less impressive than the real thing. Take this hyacinth, pictured below. When I bought it n a weekend away from a gorgeous shop in York, the staff had sprayed them with True Grace Hyacinth Room Spray, which resulted in some bees popping in to pay them a visit. Wouldn't have believe it I hadn't seen it myself. Other places I've found realistic faux arrangements are TK Maxx (where I found the orchids), Oka and, in Glasgow, Cuthbertson & Woods. It's also worth splashing out a bit more on a quality 'plant' as it will, literally, last forever.

My fabby fakes are the focal point in my hallway with the orchids, hyacinths and hydrangea long term residents of the console table and, while I've no issue with their fakery, I like to keep the display fluid (and keep some guests guessing) by adding some inexpensive, short shelf life flowers in there too. Lately we've had some pale pink peonies but it's a tall white £3 bunch of tulips that's sharing the space today. I think they all look good together with the differing heights and colours and, most importantly, absolutely no flowers have been harmed in the making of this display.

What do you think? Are you a faker too? Or do you strictly go for the real thing? If so, how do you get them to last? I'd honestly love to know the secret!

Sincerely Yours,

Photography by Susie Cormack Bruce