A few weeks ago, when we all entered into a heated, passionate debate over the use of faux flowers, I left out one important discussion point: preserved boxwood. Have you guys fallen in love with it like I have?
More importantly, if you have a black thumb like I do, has preserved boxwood fallen in love with you yet?
It’s 100% REAL boxwood, which has been soaked in a dye, then dried, and which will remain green and beautiful until the end of days. You don’t have to water it. You don’t have to nurture it. You don’t have to think about it, except to admire the perfect pop of real greenery it offers with no maintenance.
Once I heard these things, I knew preserved boxwood and I were meant to be. But it is not cheap. A double-ball topiary is usually $50 or 60. A set of potted boxwood balls can cost as much as $80.
At first I thought I’d just make my own, but then I read some tutorials and there are dyes and glycerins and whatnot involved, and I wasn’t feelin’ it. (Someone else do this and tell me it’s easy, then I’ll follow your lead.)
So when I saw these at TJ Maxx for about $20 each, I knew they weren’t the cheapest decoration ever, but I decided to bring them home just to see. I knew I could return them, but I just wanted to see. (Raise your hand if you’ve ever done this.)
Sidenote: Don’t let Andy tell you he gets forced into doing weird bloggy things for me. I was taking the photo above and THIS happened. That kid loves getting his pretty little mug on the blog.
I plopped those pots down on the bar in the kitchen and turned into a swoony mess. I LOVED them. I wanted more. MORE MORE MORE.
I moved them into other rooms and loved them in every place. I wanted to multiply them.
They are the perfect evergreen pop of life, beautiful year-round. They are real, but they don’t ask much of you.
And that’s how I know preserved boxwood loves me.
It understands me.
It doesn’t ask me to be something I’m not. (You know, the kind of person who ever remembers to water plants.)
It doesn’t punish me by dying when I forget about it. It only asks that I spray it with water about once a month, and when I can’t even remember to do that, ever? It forgives.
Preserved boxwood is patient. It is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not self-seeking, it is not easy angered, it keeps no record of wrongs…
Preserved boxwood always protects…
Has it fallen in love with you too?
P.S.: Check out my other “crushing on” posts: polyhedrons (what?!) and navy velvet.
Hi, I'm Kelly. Glad you're here! This little blog is where I chronicle our efforts to fix up our beaten-down home on a tiny budget. We're not there yet, but here's a peek at the view along the way...
Haha, yes boxwood is awesome! I have to admit to something here…I have fake boxwood 🙂 I guess I took if one step further. They are boxwood balls that I brought home from Germany and I love them all year around.
I love them, Kelly! What a great find! xo Kristin
i love it, too- it adds such a nice color and sense of freshness!
Umm…true story- I’ve been obsessed for the past month! My hubs and I went to an adorable B&B recently that had them everywhere. I spoke with the owner and she told me she orders them wholesale from a company here in GA! If you ever want to go in on an order together, let me know (because as much as I love the stuff I might get the side eye if I ordered $100+ of it on my own). Look at their catalog–it’s too cute. http://millsfloral.com/userfiles/Complete%20Boxwood%20Catalog%202013.pdf
I have the wreath in your first picture – bow and all. I found it at yard sale!
I have been eying the boxwood but the price has always scared me. I need to keep an eye out at the ol’ ‘Max!
It is all true. everything you say. I want one.
And the glycerin dying this is really easy. dump it in a bucket and give ’em a dip. You just need an undisturbed place to let them dry. That’s where having a barn comes in handy. I wouldn’t know, but I always bought dyed Sorrel stalks from the booth next to me at the farmer market. Loved it. super pretty for fall. They were died in burgundy, gold, emerald green and dark blue. I put the in mason jars and hoarded them till they got all dirty and then I threw them away only on the condition I would make my own, then never did.
I have none of this, but now I want a LOT of it!
I knew nothing about this! I think probably whenever I see something plant-like online I just scroll right past it because I know it wouldn’t last in my house. I have like $8 left on a TJ Maxx gift card, so if I went and got a whole bunch of these, it’d be pretty much like they were free, right? Because I have a gift card!
Thanks for the head’s up about the unkillable plant!
YES! And if you get it for like $20, you will have SAVED about $20, so at that point, you’re practically making money
YES! YES! YES! I did see topiaries on the bar behind you in the video! I can spot them a mile away. (I am a tad teensey bit bad to pay attention to what is in the background.) I love them. You are making me want to drive to the nearest TJ Maxx right now…..45 minutes away. lol! Seriously though…I do have a preserved boxwood wreath from Antique Farmhouse. It hangs on the mirror above our mantle and I love it. It was a tad pricey. I also checked into doing this myself. Same story with me. It looked a little more involved than what I was going for. Whew…sorry for such a long reply…but I am just so stinkin’ excited about this post. I’m kinda (okay alot) crazy about boxwood. 😉 p.s. May the boxwood fairies visit your home and multiply your goodies. Ha! k.
Totally loving it!
I neeeeeeeed it!
I love these! Low maintenance and beautiful! I would love some real ones on my kitchen garden window:)
I have two of those little guys hanging around my house too! I’ve never spritzed them with water (oops!) but they still look great!
NEED some … I have the blackest thumb ever! I’ve been perusing succulents because they like to be neglected, ha ha, but preserved boxwood is the best of both worlds!!
Today must be boxwood day! Just prior to reading your post, I picked up the daily steal at Decor Steals…..they have a set of 3 boxwood wreaths for $34.50! Score!! Love yours!
Leave to TJ Maxx to come through with preserved boxwoods for you. Love them!
OH, I’m not crushing… I’m smitten! How stunning…
Yes, it is totally in love me and my black thumb too! I didn’t even know a spritz of water was good every now again so thanks for the tip! I have about a dozen of them around my house – Home Goods has had tons lately 🙂
OMG I love it! Boxwood is so pretty, and real plants that require absolutely no care are so much better than fake plants!
I LOVE IT!! It totally understands you and your gorgeous casa! You got a heck of a deal too. 🙂
Love!!! Anything that doesn’t make me water it every single day is my friend!
I like the look of them, but the smell gets to me! That and I’d worry about my cat eating them, she eats everything!
Mine don’t smell at all… maybe they do when they’re brand new or something? I’ve never noticed any smell.
All the ones I’ve looked at in TJ Maxx/HomeGoods/Marshalls have. Maybe it goes away the longer they’ve been on the shelves? If you google “boxwood smell” you’ll see it’s pretty common for them to smell acrid.
Oh interesting! Now I’m worried because I just ordered a couple online! Hope I don’t get the stinky variety! 🙂
box it up…I will take 3 ! Thank you! Holy cute green– love em!
Just started following your blog a few weeks ago, and just wanted to let you know that I am loving it! You are too funny! 🙂
And I need some of this stuff because I too never water plants. I have enough trouble remembering to feed my dog, let alone a plant! Thanks so much for this idea 🙂
Ok, sadly I will always think of preserved boxwood while reading those verses. 🙂 I LOVE THEM. I’ll be keeping an eye out for sure!
Ummmm, this sounds amazing. I have never heard of it, but it sounds like a perfect match for me. I totally have a black thumb too. Black Thumbs Unite!….over preserved boxwood!
I AM in love with them … would love to bring some into our new house. Love anything that is forgiving of my inefficiencies!
Yep. Love em. A while ago I think it was West Elm maybe that had a square wreath…it was like Jerry Maguire…you had me at preserved boxwood.
Totally a black thumb here! This is a BEAUTIFUL fix!
ummm how have i never heard of this before?? I need one for the back of all of my toilets…and every room!
I love preserved boxwood and that wreath is GORGEOUS! Love.
I love these boxwoods! I have some in my house but they are plastic … shhh it’s a secret! And umm tell Andy he’s getting good at photo bombing!
Lol! That is quite a love story, Kelly. 🙂
xo heidi
Okay Kelly you’ve convinced me. A while back when you wrote about faux plants, I was all like – faux?-nnnoooooo – but preserved? Kinda faux, kind real. Okay all real but not requiring much upkeep. I think you hit the jackpot!
These are THE best faux flowers! They make the room feel so alive and fresh!!
I love them, actually had one in my hand and (regretfully) put it back (huge regret)–Going back to get it. I love the pots you put them in, where did you find them–I have been looking for clay pots about that size so I can paint and decal them!
Let me know if you can!
Karen
I love the boxwoods I’ve got in the flower bed, but I’ve never thought of bringing them inside! I’m definitely going to have to look into this!
hmm ok. i am kind of swoony for these too now that you show me the beauty of fake-ish greenery!!
My thumb is as black as night, so this is RIGHT up my alley. I feel a little foolish, but I hadn’t even heard of boxwood until this Christmas, when my Mom used a garland of fake boxwood to decorate the spiral staircase. It was beautiful…and so are your preserved boxwood plants. One spritz of water a month IF I remember sounds great in my book. Finding the closest TJ Max on Google maps…now!
Thanks for sharing this, I have never even heard of this before.
Ooo, love it! Gorgeous. So much nicer than the fake plastic boxwood I picked up at Ikea, which I blamed on having toddlers who knocked over the live(ish) plant it replaced. But let’s be honest here, I was tired of needy plants. Did I mention toddlers? It’s all I can do the feed and water them. Plants that look gorgeous without me (despite me) fit the bill for this house.
I love the boxwoods. They are super expensive at most stores, especially if you want several to put around your house. So this preserving process, do you have specific directions and ingredients needed? Or a website that offers these directions? I would love to try to attempt it right away!!!
Thanks a bunch!!!
I found this post but I haven’t tried it. Good luck! http://craftingrebellion.blogspot.com/2012/08/preserving-boxwood.html
I love boxwood…one of my all time favorite things was my boxwood wreath at Christmas. Alas, it was not preserved, so did not last forever. I will be keeping my eyes opened at Marshall’s and TJ’s. Nice photobomb, Andy!
I am crushing on boxwood, too! Your boxwood looks amazing everywhere you put it! I want a wreath….but they are over-the-top expensive! Maybe my TJ Maxx will start selling wreaths!
Have a great day rock star!
karianne
A plant after my own black thumbed heart! Must rush to store and grab my very own!!!
😉 Linda
Oh, and Andy is worse than my 12 year old daughter!
Easy instructions… http://craftingrebellion.blogspot.com/2012/08/preserving-boxwood.html
Wow! Never heard of the stuff before! I will definitely be checking my local TJ Maxx and similar stores for deals on preserved boxwood! So pretty, and I can’t over or underwater it — terrific! 🙂
I think I’m in love! Thanks for the tip…gotta get to TJ MAXX!
I want some!!! I have a black thumb, oh yes! But, I do like the touch plants in the house add. And I love boxwoods. Will have to start saving my money! 🙂
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I love these! How have they held up for you? I may try to DIY….maybe…
Love these too… But another question!? Love the color on your walks in the kitchen- care to share!?
Thanks! It’s Benjamin Moore Brittany Blue.
I know this is an old post, but I did preserve boxwood. It’s not hard at all, and it turned out great! I wS afraid they would turn yellow, but I used lots of food coloring, and they got nice and green. Now to find a few cute pots, and turn them into topiaries.
Oh my goodness can I just tell you how much I love your blog!!!!!!!!! I know we are not supposed to covet but seriously you are debt free, your house is so perfect and cute, and your projects are amazing lol!!!! I think you’re my soul sister!!! I am soooooo inspired. I just want to hit up every garage sale in town and stain all my baskets, paint all my walls, and finish all my projects!! And that bookshelf!! swooon!!! And I am working on being debt free and you proved you can do all of that on a budget which just makes me even more excited!!