Does anyone know how to make dollar store flowers look realistic?

I think your best bet would be to buy ones that look more real. Dollar store artificial flowers can be real hit or miss and usually they are a miss, but I have been pleasantly surprised. But I don't think you can really make them look more real, however from a ways away they will give color and you maybe won't notice they are fake.

Hi, I find that it "pays" to get some less vibrant colors. And, shop around...lots of great buys at Goodwill! Good luck!

Can I suggest something else? Use garden decorations instead of flowers for that pop of color. There are literally hundreds of ideas out there- glass globes, metal objects, wooden stuff. Google "garden decorations" on Pinterest, and be prepared to spend hours looking. The only limit is your own imagination. Have fun! I too agree that fake plants will always only look fake in a flower bed.

I agree that adding garden decor instead of fake flowers will help with the aesthetics in your garden. Here's some ideas to help you get started! http://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/garden/garden-decor-and-fun-in-the-garden-184584

don't purchase 'glaring' or artificially 'bright/unnatural' colors'; if they are fabric you might try dipping briefly - just 'in/out' in a very dilute solution of bleach -- experiment with one and see what happens -- you wouldn't have 'lost' anything-

I have a neighbor who plants real flowers and fake ones together. Sometimes she will put the dollar tree ones in a pot on her porch with tall natural grasses. From a distance you would never know. Up close...well not so much. I agree with the person above that says to get the less vibrant colors. Noting in nature is QUITE that bright.

Have fun with it!

Thank you

I am a gardener of many years and love to create raised planters around the property....Last year I busted my shoulder..so it was not an option..could not handle the constant watering, pruning, etc..but wanted "the look"...so off to the dollar store..up north where I am, I find if you get the manufactured flowers as soon as their new stock comes in..there are pleasant surprises..I mixed dry flowers in with real flowers...of the same species..i.e. roses with roses..it is not the flowers that appear unnatural I found, but the leaves, so off with the leaves..and simply flesh out what you have that is real...Lilies are another one where the novice fear to tread..I love the colours and size of day lilies. and there normal residence is at the back of a garden bed....since lilies produce more leaves than flowers, again, I just insert a flower stem..and stick pretty closed to the colour of the original plant....this way, for me anyway, a day lily is perhaps a couple of weeks..worth the cost and the effort...another plus about artificial flowers is you know in advance what colour will help pop out a dull corner in the garden...this year I noticed a lot of coloured leaves...the artistry is really lovely...these work as well...I had strangers walk up to my flower plants and touch the flowers...doubles are great...as are the ones they make on a vine..anyway...messed up shoulder be darned..I had my colours, it did not matter they were not real...they were pleasing to the eye..and hey, isn't that what it is all about....this year I may even buy some artificial miniature ever green bushes..no water..no bugs, and wow, have you seen them..even I was surprised...and they can stay out all winter as well...advice?? if you go that route, put your lights about in the nice weather..but don't turn them on...then when fall comes and garden clean up becomes necessary...and the sun sets are earlier...pull the switch and enjoy...

Sorry about your shoulder ,thanks so much for the great advice .I 'd definitely want to try the part about taking off the leaves from the artificial flower that makes a lot of sense didn't think about that.

C'mon you paid a dollar. One always gets what one pays. What could you expect.

I always take my stems apart and usually remove most of the leaves-I have found some with nice leaves and I save them and hot glue where needed or buy "bushes" of real looking leaves to fill in. Artificial ivy is a great look too

I remove the stems as they usually look the most fake, and mix them with real flowers. I use them as fillers and everyone always compliments, and when I tell them the secret they are floored!