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Artificial,
yet capturing the essence of the natural
These imitations of landscapes are all set
to create a flurry among gardening enthusiasts in Coimbatore, says
ANASUYA MENON |
 A
MAPLE tree with crimson leaves stands in a corner with a cluster
of green bushes around. A few smooth round pebbles lie scattered
about. One needn't be in Australia to see maple trees around.
They could well be spotted in a middle class home in Coimbatore.
Welcome to the world of artificial landscaping wherein one can
do up interiors with synthetic trees and flowers.
One can have an entire ecosystem indoors with rocks, plants and
even tiny birds that look enticingly real.
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Not entirely
new
 The
concept of artificial landscaping is not entirely new to the city.
But, it has caught the fancy of Coimbatoreans only recently.
Though they always adorned offices of corporate companies and commercial
establishments, they have now slowly started moving into homes too,
says P. Nandha Kumar, Tree Point, manufacturers of artificial plants.
Anything from glossy green leaves to those with a matte finish or
dried pansies and orchids form integral parts in the art of artificial
landscaping.
Also, various concepts can be tried out such as the green house,
bamboo or Ikebana (Japanese art of flower arrangement). While the
bark is made of real wood, the leaves and the flowers are made of
synthetic material. Artificial bonsais are available too.
The market for artificial landscaping is expanding in Tamil Nadu
with a lot of orders pouring in from Tirupur and Erode, Mr. Nandha
Kumar says. Also, it is not just the high-end customers who place
these orders. "People have woken up to the concept and don't
mind spending on these plants." Landscaping does not merely
end with the arrangement of plants and pebbles in a corner of the
room. Tiny bulbs could be attached to them, making them a delight
to look at.
"Artificial gardens are a viable option these days taking into
consideration labour costs especially for working people. Once the
garden is made, nothing needs to be done regarding its maintenance,"
he says.
Landscaping could be done in any given area depending on personal
preferences. A thermcol sheet of four to five inch thickness reinforced
with silica gel and plaster of Paris forms the base. White marble
chips or tiny pebbles should be strewn over it.
The flowers and trees (of a maximum height of five feet) are carefully
pasted on to this base.
This arrangement lasts for more than three years and can even be
shifted from one room to another. Some of these artificial gardens
have wheels attached to the base.
They can be wheeled around from one room to another. The arrangement
can last for more than ten years if it is an air-conditioned room
and two to three years in an ordinary room.
But, the cost for this could range from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 30,000
depending on the area, and the quality of materials used. A five
by six sq.ft space will cost only Rs. 4,000.
Innovative concepts are also catching on. For instance, you could
have the mysteries of the water world right inside your living room.
With coral reefs, oysters, rocks smeared with seaweed and even tiny
fish to complete the picture, hanging creepers, climbers that wind
in through the window grills. |
No need for water
 Maintenance
is the prime advantage of having an artificial garden, as there
is no need to water it. The pots needn't be changed and there
is no worry of adaptability to the soil.
The only maintenance that is required is occasional dusting. "If
the windows are left open, dust may get deposited on them, making
them appear dull," Mr. Nandha Kumar says. Also, these plants
can be changed according to the desired ambience.
The maples are a hot favourite among customers.
So is the purple and yellow-flowered Wisteria. Seven to eight
short trees wouldn't be too much of a crowd, says Mr. Nandha Kumar.
If it is flowers you are looking for, there is
a captivating variety with bougainvilleas, gerberas, wisterias,
wild pansies, sunflowers and orchids.
While orchids would be best for the bedroom, gerberas
would be ideal to adorn the top of a TV stand or a bookshelf.
Even bathrooms can do with a few dried flowers propped in a vase.
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