How to Landscape Artificial Shrubs Outside

Choose artificial plants that will look natural in your designated outdoor space when landscaping shrubs. Plants that grow naturally in your geographic area that will blend in with the surrounding environment. Topiary plants like boxwoods and juniper grow in many places. Trees may require a more discriminating selection process for you to choose between palm, ficus, maple, cedar, cypress and other varieties.

Pick a shape for your landscaping shrubs. Because artificial plants do not require any pruning or upkeep, when you choose a shape such as a spiral, cone or ball topiary, you will have to keep that shape for many years until you replace the artificial shrubs.

Choose artificial plants that have UV inhibitors for use outdoors. Most commercial-grade artificial plants have been wind-tested and waterproofed for use in outdoor spaces year-round, but check the product features and information for a warranty on fading and weather resistance before you buy. You should be able to find warranty information online from commercial manufacturers or on the product label if the plant was purchased from a retailer.

Install unpotted plants in the ground by digging a hole wider than the trunk of the plant. Wrap the trunk with as much heavy wire as you need to cover the portion of the plant that will be underground, with a few inches of wire protruding from the ends. Mix enough concrete in a bucket to fill the hole and pour the concrete into the hole. Place the stem of the plant into the hole to dry. You can also install potted plants in the ground by digging a hole for the pot, then covering it with dirt.

Cover the base of planted artificial shrubs with dirt, mulch or moss to blend into the natural surroundings. You can also use decorative stones or grasses to landscape the area around your shrubs.

Install plants above ground using a weighted decorative planter to hold the shrubs upright under windy conditions. You can add dirt and gravel inside the decorative planter to secure the planting pot, and then place mulch or moss around the base of the planter if you are installing the planter in a flower bed.

Use boxwood or ivy mats to cover a fence or wall when landscaping. You can also hang potted artificial ferns or other plants from the top of a wall or fence to soften the area.

Use artificial plants in conjunction with live plants to help them blend in. Keeping live flowers or grasses around your artificial shrubs helps your outdoor artificial plants appear more natural, and the artificial plants continue to provide greenery when your live plants are out of season.