Our volunteers had a lively discussion this season over the term “natural.” Customers are given three basic choices when ordering fully decorated wreaths: all natural, designer’s choice, or glamorous glitz. The glamorous glitz designation is obvious, and the all natural designation has meant, in the past, absolutely no paint, glitter, or artificial elements of any kind. Often we despair when people choose all natural because a tiny bit of gold or a small painted white tipped pine cone can enliven the design and make it show up better, rather than being a sea of brown. However, this year more designers used elements which were manufactured to look natural but actually were not, and we hesitated to send them out to an “all natural” customer. Take the gorgeous wreath below as an example. Nothing shiny here. Yet the poinsettia nestled in the bow is clearly not real, and the red berried branches are man made. Does this qualify as “all natural?” We would send this order out if the order form said designer’s choice, but just where is the line? Opinions always welcome at info@gardenclubbackbay.org, or respond on Facebook.
