Gone are the days when fake flower choices were limited to garish plastic replicas or ho hum “silk” blooms that look like they belong in a cartoon. Nowadays, there are many beautiful reproductions available that, with a little skill, can be tastefully mixed with fresh elements.

I am always an advocate for using real flowers, fruit, and plants in arrangements, but many flowers, in particular, tend to be harder to find and pricier once summer is over. Autumn is the perfect time to be inspired by some well-made faux pieces.

In my search for faux flora to offer here, I was thrilled to come upon a manufacturer that grows the plants it reproduces so that the artisans who design and paint them have fresh, real subjects to copy. The detailing is spot on. And when they are mixed with fresh fruits, leaves, bows and flowers, it’s nearly impossible to tell what is real and what is fake.

As you gear up for the holidays, consider using some of these pieces and pictures for inspiration. You’ll find that these autumnal arrangements (many of which can be well adapted for Christmas decorating), will look bright and fresh for several days – a huge bonus during the flury of holiday entertaining.

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