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| February 16, 2025

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Fresh or faux

Fresh or faux
Joanne Charlton

There’s nothing better than a salon filled with greenery, but should you be looking at fresh flowers or artificial? We caught up with Danielle White and Caroline Coney of GreenRose UK – who create floral installations within salons throughout the South East – on the benefits of faux flowers.

Bloomin’ lovely

Creating a distinctive and inviting atmosphere is crucial for attracting and retaining clients and floral installations can make that happen.

image2-1Danielle White of GreenRose UK believes flowers can turn on an ordinary salon into the extraordinary as she says: “Flowers, with their vibrant colours and varied textures, add a layer of sophistication and beauty that can elevate the overall decor. We create focal points that draw the eye and captivate clients from the moment they step inside.”

Each of GreenRoseUk’s installations are bespoke and tailored to the salon brand, as Caroline xxx says: “For a modern, minimalist salon, sleek arrangements with monochromatic flowers can underscore sophistication and elegance. A salon with a bohemian or eclectic vibe might opt for lush, colourful installations that scream creativity and flair. By aligning the floral design with the salon’s brand, we aim to reinforce brand identity and appeal to their target clientele.”

Installations can be refreshed for the seasons too: “Spring might bring an abundance of pastel blooms, while autumn (a particular favourite of Caroline’s) could introduce rich, warm tones. Not to mention transforming your space into a winter wonderland for GreenRose’s busiest time of year, Christmas. This constant evolution keeps the salon’s atmosphere fresh and appealing, fostering loyalty and justifying a higher price point.”

image3-1Aside from the client experience, an eye-catching floral display can create an ideal social media marketing opportunity. “Our installations are highly Instagrammable and can encourage clients to share their salon experiences online. This user-generated content increases the salon’s visibility and has the potential to attract new clients and followers. Moreover, a unique and aesthetically pleasing salon environment can inspire positive reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations, further boosting your salon’s reputation.”

Go faux

Most of GreenRose UK’s installations are designed and made using artificial flowers, as they’re much hardier than fresh blooms, and “much easier to manipulate and work with”. 

“Aside from their environmental advantages, faux flowers are also the most cost-effective solution for our clients,” says Danielle. “While the initial investment might seem higher, their long lifespan and reusability mean that they’re cheaper in the long run compared to constantly purchasing fresh flowers.

“Over the years we’ve noticed that, thankfully, faux flowers have come a long way. These days they are a far cry from the artificial plastic petals and gaudy unnatural colours that were once associated with them.

image3“Now we see realistic, natural looking blooms that often lead us to question if they’re real or not. Sometimes even touching them doesn’t help to confirm one way or the other, such is their realism now. The timing of this evolution of faux flowers could not have been better, as sustainability becomes ever more important.

“Often overlooked in the sustainability conversation, faux flowers offer several environmental benefits that make them a superior choice for eco-conscious consumers too.”

Sustainability

Whether it’s water conservation, transportation or a reduction in the use of environmentally-damaging chemicals, faux flowers tick a lot of boxes.

First up water, which as we know is a precious resource, and its conservation is critical in the fight against climate change. Fresh flowers require significant amounts of water to grow and maintain their freshness from farm to vase. This is especially concerning in regions experiencing water shortages. Faux flowers, on the other hand, do not need water at all.

“The journey of fresh flowers from farm to market is also a carbon-intensive process,” adds Danielle. “These flowers are often grown in distant regions, requiring transportation via planes, trucks, and other vehicles, all of which emit greenhouse gases. Faux flowers, once produced, do not require regular transportation, drastically reducing their carbon footprint.”

image2Another encouraging element is the cultivation of fresh flowers typically involves the use of pesticides and fertilisers to ensure they grow healthily and attractively, which faux flowers do not need. These chemicals can have detrimental effects on the environment, including soil degradation and water pollution.

Probably one of the most significant advantages of faux flowers is their durability. While fresh flowers wilt and die within a week or two – especially in a salon environment which can often be hot and humid – faux flowers can last for years. This longevity means that faux flowers do not need to be replaced frequently, reducing the demand for continuous production and transportation. Furthermore, faux flowers can be reused for multiple occasions, cutting down on not only costs but waste and resource consumption.

The longevity of the product is also significant when it comes to waste. While faux flowers will contribute to landfill waste at the end of their life, fresh flowers do too, even though that waster is organic, and the burden is much higher with fresh flowers as their lifespan is so short.

“The bigger picture shows us that large-scale flower farming often leads to habitat destruction and the loss of biodiversity. This is something our clients often haven’t considered until we bring it to their attention. Forests and natural habitats are sometimes cleared to make way for flower farms, disrupting local ecosystems. By reducing the demand for fresh flowers, faux flowers help mitigate these negative impacts. This supports the conservation of biodiversity and the protection of natural habitats.”

What’s more, the energy required to grow fresh flowers, particularly in greenhouses, is considerable. This includes heating, lighting, and maintaining optimal growing conditions, especially in colder climates.

In contrast, advances in manufacturing have made it possible to produce high-quality faux flowers from biodegradable or recyclable components. By selecting these eco-friendly options, our clients can enhance the sustainability benefits of faux flowers.

image1Practicality

So sustainability is ticked, but artificial flowers are also the lowest maintenance for busy salon owners. “Part of our job when designing an installation for a salon, is to consider practical aspects such as maintenance, durability, and space constraints. Faux flowers, which require minimal upkeep and maintain their beauty over time are an excellent choice for busy salon environments.

“By enhancing aesthetics, setting the right mood, reflecting brand identity, and boosting social media presence, our installations can significantly impact a salon’s success.”