Courtesy of: Oh So Very…’s photostream at Flickr

Question:My house was built on a down-slope with a massive cinder block wall, that’s unfortunately my kitchen window view. Recently I went to Seville Spain and fell in love with those gorgeous white stucco walls, with red geraniums spilling from iron holders. I want to recreate this effect on my walls, but I know it’s way too shady for any flowering plant.

Dreaming of Sunny Spain

Answer: Hi Dreaming,

At the risk of being yanked off this site with one of those vaudeville canes, I’m going to say it anyway–fake flowers. There I said it. I’m not talking about those 1970’s plastic ones my brother used to pull the flowers off leaving a lovely bouquet of plastic green sticks right before company arrived.

Today’s silks are of an amazing quality and look beyond real. The great news: no watering, they’ll always be blooming, and I’ll eat one if anyone can tell the difference. In a shady area they should last for years in your part of the country. By the way, I have a great old family Sangria recipe I’ll share with you if you send me some pictures. Buena Suerte!

Courtesy of: ConanTheLibrarian’ s photostream at Flickr

Courtesy of: Ringo, have a banana!’s photostream at Flickr