JOINING THE PLASTIC FLOWER LADIES by Pennie Hunt

It has been over 20 years since I gave any thought to fake flowers. You know, those artificial bundles of plastic that gave the illusion of a bouquet until you moved close enough to them to smell the plastic and see the rubber version of a rose.

At the time, I was the director of a statewide organization, which meant I drove around the state a lot. On one memorable trip, a staff member was traveling with me. She worked virtually from her home on the opposite side of the state from where our office was located.

Visiting people in her area, I commented on the plastic flowers planted in pots in front of many of the homes. My comment was something like, “Isn’t it funny how old ladies put out plastic flowers instead of real plants?” I did notice that she didn’t have a reply to that.

A few hours later, as we pulled into her driveway and walked up to her front door, pots of fake flowers greeted me. She saw my face and immediately began laughing. I was embarrassed and ashamed of my earlier comment.

She explained that given the short growing season and the unpredictability of the weather, the plastic flowers were a good alternative.

Now, all these years later, I am filling about half of my pots with artificial flowers. After many seasons of waiting until after Memorial Day to plant flowers only to see them freeze from late spring snow, shredded by summer hail, brutally beaten by raging wind, or eaten by the lovely little critters that call my property home, I finally understood. I surrendered.

I began seeing many social media posts with people demonstrating how they were filling their pots and flower beds with life-like artificial flowers. I took the leap and ordered some.

These aren’t the old plastic kind. These are soft, bendable, lifelike beauties.
The advertisement stated that these faux flowers look just like the real thing, adding natural beauty to your surroundings. They are made from high-quality silk and plastic materials for long-lasting beauty. UV-resistant, waterproof, and no fade, ensuring vibrant colors even under the sun's harsh rays.

Who could resist that? I was sold and ordered a few.

When they arrived, they were vacuum-packed into very tight bundles, making me wonder if I had been scammed into purchasing a ridiculously small, overpriced bouquet of nonsense. But once opened, they fluffed out and took over my entire dining room table. I was pleasantly surprised.

Now my flowers have bloomed. Half of my pots still hold real purple petunias and orange and yellow blends of marigolds. But half of them happily hold bouquets of artificial flowers.

My assessment so far is good. These pops of color around my home are not just low maintenance, they are almost no maintenance. I suspect I will occasionally give them a spray with the hose to wash off the dust the wind will surely blow onto them, but other than that, they are holding up to their advertised claims.

Have I become an old plastic flower lady? I don’t know… maybe I have just become realistic. It is hard to fight Mother Nature. I will let her do what she will and enjoy the occasional wildflowers she sends my way. I will also continue to plant my little garden box and cross my fingers that the vegetables will survive the weather.

But this summer I will enjoy my beautiful flowers. The live ones and the fake ones alike.
​                                                 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                                                   Pennie’s Life Lesson:
                   Don’t make assumptions about the way other people do things.
                                      There is more than one way to beauty. 
​                                                   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

---

​YOUR TURN...        
Share your thoughts and experiences relating to this post in a comment below.  And please feel free to email me  at:
 [email protected]. 
                                                                 Thank you!  ​
                                      ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
                                                         All Rights Reserved
                                          Copyright © 2013-2026 Pennie Hunt
                             This was written and produced by Pennie Hunt.
Feel free to forward and share this post.  Please keep the entire message intact, including  contact, logo, and copyright information.
#CornerofSpiritandBrave #LoveYourLifeNoMatterWhat #JourneyThrough #PennieHunt #IAmGoodEnough #grief #Love #Joy #HowToBeHappy #Happiness