Sleeves formed of polymeric materials having a texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of paper

Abstract

A substantially flexible, shape-sustaining article having an appearance simulating paper made by forming a flexible, laminated material having a paper-like texture or appearance into a substantially flexible article for receiving an object. The substantially flexible article includes a base having a lower end, an open upper end with an object opening extending therethrough and a decorative border extending outwardly from the open upper end of the base. The lower end of the base of the article may be closed and may also contain a gusset.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A method for wrapping a floral grouping, comprising: 
 providing a floral grouping having an upper end and a stem portion;    providing a wrapper formed of a flexible, laminated polymeric material wherein the flexible, laminated polymeric material having at least a portion of one surface thereof textured or modified to assimilate the texture and appearance of paper so that at least a portion of the wrapper formed of the flexible, laminated polymeric material is provided with a paper-like appearance, the wrapper having an upper end, a lower end, an inner peripheral surface surrounding a retaining space, an outer peripheral surface, and a bonding material disposed upon a portion of at least one of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the wrapper for holding overlapping portions of the wrapper in a crimped position adjacent a stem portion of the floral grouping;    placing the floral grouping into the retaining space of the wrapper; and    binding the wrapper about the floral grouping by crimping portions of the wrapper together causing at least one portion of the wrapper to overlap another portion of the wrapper whereby the bonding material engages the overlapping portions of the wrapper together in a position surrounding and adjacent a portion of the floral grouping and thereby forms a crimped portion of the wrapper, at least a portion of the stem portion of the floral grouping being disposed within the crimped portion so that the wrapper is bound in a position about the floral grouping.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a wrapper formed of a flexible, laminated polymeric material wherein at least a portion of one surface thereof is textured or modified to assimilate the texture and appearance of paper so that at least a portion of the wrapper formed from the flexible, laminated polymeric material is provided with a paper-like appearance, the wrapper is further characterized as having detaching means for detaching a portion of the wrapper after the wrapper has been bound about the floral grouping.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein, in the step of providing a wrapper formed of a flexible, laminated polymeric material wherein at least a portion of one surface thereof is textured or modified to assimilate the texture and appearance of paper so that at least a portion of the wrapper formed from the flexible, laminated polymeric material is provided with a paper-like appearance, the flexible, laminated polymeric material has a thickness in the range of from about 1 mil to about 20 mils.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a wrapper formed of a flexible, laminated polymeric material wherein at least a portion of one surface thereof is textured or modified to assimilate the texture and appearance of paper so that at least a portion of the wrapper formed from the flexible, laminated polymeric material is provided with a paper-like appearance, each sheet of material forming the flexible laminated polymeric material has a thickness in the range of from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mil.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein, in the step of providing a wrapper formed of a flexible, laminated polymeric material wherein at least a portion of one surface thereof is textured or modified to assimilate the texture and appearance of paper so that at least a portion of the wrapper formed from the flexible, laminated polymeric material is provided with a paper-like appearance, the sheets of material of the flexible, laminated polymeric material are laminated with a colored adhesive.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein, in the step of providing a wrapper formed of a flexible, laminated polymeric material wherein at least a portion of one surface thereof is textured or modified to assimilate the texture and appearance of paper so that at least a portion of the wrapper formed from the flexible, laminated polymeric material is provided with a paper-like appearance, each sheet forming the flexible, laminated polymeric material has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils, and the flexible, laminated polymeric material has a thickness in the range of from about 1.2 mils to about 2.5 mils.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a wrapper formed of a flexible, laminated polymeric material wherein at least a portion of one surface thereof is textured or modified to assimilate the texture and appearance of paper so that at least a portion of the wrapper formed from the flexible, laminated polymeric material is provided with a paper-like appearance, the bonding material is disposed upon a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the wrapper.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a wrapper formed of a flexible, laminated polymeric material wherein at least a portion of one surface thereof is textured or modified to assimilate the texture and appearance of paper so that at least a portion of the wrapper formed from the flexible, laminated polymeric material is provided with a paper-like appearance, the bonding material is disposed upon a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the wrapper.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a wrapper formed of a flexible, laminated polymeric material wherein at least a portion of one surface thereof is textured or modified to assimilate the texture and appearance of paper so that at least a portion of the wrapper formed from the flexible, laminated polymeric material is provided with a paper-like appearance, the bonding material is disposed upon portions of both the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the wrapper.  
     
     
         10 . The method for wrapping a floral grouping of  claim 1  comprising the additional step of detaching a portion of the wrapper having a paper-like appearance after the wrapper has been bound about the floral grouping.  
     
     
         11 . The method for wrapping a floral grouping of  claim 10  wherein, in the step of detaching a portion of the wrapper having a paper-like appearance, the detached portion and the portion of the wrapper bound about the floral grouping each have a paper-like appearance.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein, in the step of providing a wrapper formed of a flexible, laminated polymeric material wherein at least a portion of one surface thereof is textured or modified to assimilate the texture and appearance of paper so that at least a portion of the wrapper formed from the flexible, laminated polymeric material is provided with a paper-like appearance, the flexible, laminated polymeric material is further provided with printed matter.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein, in the step of providing a wrapper formed of a flexible, laminated polymeric material wherein at least a portion of one surface thereof is textured or modified to assimilate the texture and appearance of paper so that at least a portion of the wrapper formed from the flexible, laminated polymeric material is provided with a paper-like appearance, the flexible, laminated polymeric material is further provided with an embossed pattern.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein, in the step of providing a wrapper formed of a flexible, laminated polymeric material wherein at least a portion of one surface thereof is textured or modified to assimilate the texture and appearance of paper so that at least a portion of the wrapper formed from the flexible, laminated polymeric material is provided with a paper-like appearance, at least a portion of the printed matter and the embossed pattern are in registry.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein, in the step of providing a wrapper formed of a flexible, laminated polymeric material wherein at least a portion of one surface thereof is textured or modified to assimilate the texture and appearance of paper so that at least a portion of the wrapper formed from the flexible, laminated polymeric material is provided with a paper-like appearance, at least a portion of the printed matter and the embossed pattern are in out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein, in the step of providing a wrapper formed of a flexible, laminated polymeric material wherein at least a portion of one surface thereof is textured or modified to assimilate the texture and appearance of paper so that at least a portion of the wrapper formed from the flexible, laminated polymeric material is provided with a paper-like appearance, the flexible, laminated polymeric material is further provided with an embossed design.  
     
     
         17 . A tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping, the tubular sleeve having a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface surrounding an inner retaining space, the tubular sleeve formed of a flexible, laminated polymeric material having at least a portion of one surface thereof modified or textured to provide the flexible, laminated polymeric material with a appearance assimilating the appearance of paper so that at least a portion of tubular sleeve formed from the flexible, laminated polymeric material is provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper, the tubular sleeve comprising: 
 a decorative base portion having a closed lower end, an upper end and a retaining space for enclosing the pot, the base having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface wherein at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface is modified or textured to provide such surface with a paper-like appearance, the decorative base being tapered, sized and dimensioned to cover substantially the outer peripheral surface of the pot;    a skirt portion attached to the base portion and extending beyond the upper end of the base portion; and    a sleeve portion connected to the skirt portion and sized to substantially surround and encompass the floral grouping and extend a distance therefrom, the sleeve portion detachable from the skirt portion via a plurality of angularly oriented perforations whereby, upon detachment of the skirt portion from the sleeve portion, the skirt portion is provided with an angular upper edge positioned near the lower portion of the floral grouping and the decorative base portion remains in a position surrounding the pot.    
     
     
         18 . The tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping of  claim 17  wherein the portion of the flexible, laminated polymeric material forming the decorative base portion of the tubular sleeve is modified or textured so that the outer peripheral surface of the decorative base portion is provided with a paperlike appearance, and wherein the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve is characterized as having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface wherein at least one surface of the flexible, laminated polymeric material forming the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve is modified or textured so that at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve is modified or textured to provide such surface of the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         19 . The tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping of  claim 18  wherein the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve is characterized as having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface wherein at least a portion of the flexible, laminated polymeric material forming the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve is modified or textured so that at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve is modified or textured to provide such surface of the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         20 . A tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping, the tubular sleeve formed of a flexible, laminated polymeric material wherein the flexible, laminated material is formed by laminating a polymeric material to a metallized foil, the flexible, laminated material having at least a portion of one surf ace thereof modified or textured to provide the flexible, laminated material with an appearance or texture assimilating the appearance of paper, the tubular sleeve having a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surf ace, and an inner peripheral surface surrounding an inner retaining space, the tubular sleeve, comprising: 
 a decorative base portion having a closed lower end, an upper end and a retaining space for enclosing the pot, the base having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface wherein at least a portion of one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface has a modified or textured surface which provides the base portion with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper, the decorative base being tapered, sized and dimensioned to cover substantially the outer peripheral surface of the pot;    a skirt portion attached to the base portion and extending beyond the upper end of the base portion;    a sleeve portion connected to the skirt portion and sized to substantially surround and encompass the floral grouping and extend a distance therefrom, the sleeve portion detachable from the skirt portion via a plurality of angularly oriented perforations whereby, upon detachment of the skirt portion from the sleeve portion, the skirt portion is provided with an angular upper edge positioned near the lower portion of the floral grouping and the decorative base portion remains in a position surrounding the pot; and    expansion means integral to at least one of the skirt portion and the base portion for enhancing the extension of at least a portion of the skirt portion away from the base portion.    
     
     
         21 . The tubular sleeve of  claim 20  wherein the flexible, laminated polymeric material having at least a portion of one surface thereof modified or textured to provide the flexible, laminated material with an appearance or texture assimilating the appearance of paper from which the tubular sleeve is made has a thickness in a range of from about 1 mil to about 20 mils.  
     
     
         22 . The tubular sleeve of  claim 20  wherein the polymeric material and the metallized foil are laminated with a colored bonding material.  
     
     
         23 . The tubular sleeve of  claim 20  wherein the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve is further provided with an extended portion for serving as a handle or support element.  
     
     
         24 . A plant package produced from a laminated material wherein at least a portion of one surface of the plant package is modified or textured to provide at least a portion of the plant package with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper, the plant package comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve formed of a laminated material wherein the laminated material is formed by laminating at least one sheet of polymeric material to at least one sheet of polymeric material or a sheet of metallized foil, the laminated material having at least a portion of one surface thereof textured or modified so as to provide the laminated material with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper, the tubular sleeve having a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface surrounding an inner retaining space wherein at least a portion of at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the tubular sleeve is textured or modified to provide at least a portion of such surface with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper, and wherein the tubular sleeve further comprises: 
 a base portion having a closed lower end and an upper end and a retaining space for enclosing a pot;  
 a skirt portion extending beyond the upper end of the base portion and having an upper peripheral edge; and  
 a sleeve portion connected to the skirt portion and detachable from the skirt portion via a plurality of angularly oriented perforations; and  
   a pot having a floral grouping disposed within the retaining space of the base portion of the tubular sleeve such that the pot is substantially surrounded and encompassed by the base portion of the tubular sleeve and the floral grouping is substantially surrounded and encompassed by the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve prior to detaching the sleeve portion from the skirt portion, whereby, upon detachment of the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve from the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve, the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve is provided with an angular upper edge positioned near the lower portion of the floral grouping and the decorative base portion of the tubular sleeve remains in a position surrounding the pot.    
     
     
         25 . The plant package of  claim 24  wherein the outer peripheral surface of the base portion of the tubular sleeve is provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper, and wherein the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve is characterized as having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface wherein at least a portion of at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve is provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         26 . The plant package of  claim 25  wherein the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve is characterized as having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface and wherein at least a portion of at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve is provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         27 . The plant package of  claim 24  wherein the base portion and the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve are constructed from the laminated material and the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve is constructed from a second material different than the laminated material.  
     
     
         28 . The plant package of  claim 24  wherein the laminated material from which the tubular sleeve is made is characterized as having a thickness in a range of from about 1 mil to about 20 mils.  
     
     
         29 . The plant package of  claim 28  wherein the laminated material from which the tubular sleeve is further provided with printed material thereon.  
     
     
         30 . The plant package of  claim 29  wherein the laminated material from which the tubular sleeve is made is further provided with an embossed design or material.  
     
     
         31 . The plant package of  claim 30  wherein the printed material and the embossed design or material on the laminated material from which the tubular sleeve is made are in register with one another.  
     
     
         32 . The plant package of  claim 30  wherein the printed material and the embossed design or material on the laminated material from which the tubular sleeve is made are out of register with one another.  
     
     
         33 . The plant package of  claim 24  wherein the tubular sleeve further comprises: 
 expansion means integral to at least one of the skirt portion and the base portion of the tubular sleeve for enhancing the extension of at least a portion of the skirt portion away from the base portion.  
 
     
     
         34 . A plant package, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve formed of a flexible, laminated polymeric material, the tubular sleeve having a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface surrounding an inner retaining space wherein at least a portion of at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the tubular sleeve is modified or textured to provide the tubular sleeve with an appearance or texture assimilating the appearance or texture of paper, and wherein the tubular sleeve further comprises: 
 a base portion having a closed lower end having a gusset, an upper end and a retaining space for enclosing a pot;  
 a skirt portion extending beyond the upper end of the base portion and having an upper peripheral edge; and  
 a sleeve portion connected to the skirt portion and detachable from the skirt portion via a plurality of angularly oriented perforations; and  
   a pot having a floral grouping, the pot disposed within the retaining space of the base portion of the tubular sleeve such that the pot is substantially surrounded and encompassed by the base portion of the tubular sleeve and the floral grouping is substantially surrounded and encompassed by the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve prior to detaching the sleeve portion from the skirt portion, whereby, upon detachment of the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve from the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve, the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve is provided with an angular upper edge positioned near the lower portion of the floral grouping and the base portion of the tubular sleeve remains in a position surrounding the pot.    
     
     
         35 . A tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping, the tubular sleeve formed of a flexible, laminated material wherein at least a portion of one surface of the laminated material is textured or modified to provide the laminated material with a paper-like appearance and wherein the laminated material is formed by laminating at least one first sheet of a polymeric material to at least one second sheet of material wherein the second sheet of material is a polymeric material or a metallized foil, the tubular sleeve having a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface surrounding an inner retaining space, the tubular sleeve comprising: 
 a decorative base portion having a closed lower end containing a gusset, an upper end and a retaining space for enclosing the pot, the decorative base portion having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface wherein at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the decorative base portion is modified or textured to provide such surface with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper, the decorative base portion being tapered, sized and dimensioned to cover the outer peripheral surface of the pot;    a skirt portion attached to the decorative base portion and extending beyond the upper end of the decorative base portion; and    a sleeve portion connected to the skirt portion and sized to substantially surround and encompass the floral grouping and extend a distance therefrom, the sleeve portion detachable from the skirt portion via a plurality of angularly oriented perforations whereby, upon detachment of the skirt portion from the sleeve portion, the skirt portion is provided with an angular upper edge positioned near the lower portion of the floral grouping and the decorative base portion remains in a position surrounding the pot.    
     
     
         36 . The tubular sleeve of  claim 35  wherein the outer peripheral surface of the decorative base portion of the tubular sleeve is modified or textured to provide the outer peripheral surface of the decorative base portion with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper, and wherein the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve is characterized as having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface wherein at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve is modified or textured to provide such surface of the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         37 . The tubular sleeve of  claim 36  wherein the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve is characterized as having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface wherein at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve is modified or textured to provide such surface of the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         38 . The tubular sleeve of  claim 35  wherein the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve is characterized as having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface wherein at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve is modified or textured to provide such surface of the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         39 . A decorative sleeve positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping, the decorative sleeve formed of a flexible polymeric material having at least a portion of one surface thereof modified to provide at least a portion of the By decorative sleeve with an appearance assimilating paper, the flexible polymeric material from which the decorative sleeve is formed comprising: 
 a sheet of flexible polymeric material formed of an expanded core polymeric film having a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 to about 10 mils, the sheet of flexible polymeric material having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet of flexible polymeric material is embossed, printed or embossed and printed to provide such surface with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.    
     
     
         40 . A decorative sleeve positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping, the decorative sleeve formed of flexible laminated polymeric material having at least a portion of one surface thereof modified to provide at least a portion of the flexible laminated polymeric material and at least a portion of the decorative sleeve formed therefrom with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper, the flexible laminated polymeric material from which the decorative sleeve is formed comprising: 
 an expanded core polymeric film having an upper surface, a lower surface and a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils; and    a substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film, the substantially water impervious polymeric film having an upper surface, a lower surface and a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils,    wherein at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces of the expanded core polymeric film and the substantially water impervious polymeric film is modified or textured to provide the flexible laminated polymeric material with a surface assimilating in appearance paper.    
     
     
         41 . The decorative sleeve positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 40  wherein the expanded core polymeric film and the substantially water impervious polymeric film are laminated with a colored adhesive.  
     
     
         42 . The decorative sleeve positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 41  wherein the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils and the substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils.  
     
     
         43 . The decorative sleeve positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 40  wherein the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about  0 . 6  mil to about 1.25 mils, and wherein the substantially water impervious polymeric film laminated to the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.6 mil to about 1.25 mils.  
     
     
         44 . A decorative sleeve positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping, the decorative sleeve formed of a flexible polymeric material having at least a portion of one surface thereof modified to provide at least a portion of the decorative sleeve with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper, the flexible polymeric material from which the decorative sleeve is formed, comprising: 
 an expanded core polymeric film having an upper surface, a lower surface and a thickness in the range of about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils wherein at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the expanded core polymeric film is modified or textured to provide the flexible material with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.    
     
     
         45 . The decorative sleeve positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 44  wherein the expanded core polymeric film further contains printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         46 . The decorative sleeve positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 45  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are in registry with one another.  
     
     
         47 . The decorative sleeve positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 45  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         48 . The decorative sleeve positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 45  wherein at least a portion of the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         49 . A decorative sleeve positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping, the decorative sleeve formed of an expanded core polymeric material having at least a portion of one surface thereof modified to provide at least a portion of the decorative sleeve formed from the expanded core polymeric material with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         50 . The decorative sleeve positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 49  wherein the expanded core polymeric film is provided with an upper surface, a lower surface and a thickness of from about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils and wherein the expanded core polymeric film is further provided with printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof on at least one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof.  
     
     
         51 . The decorative sleeve positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 50  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are in registry with one another.  
     
     
         52 . The decorative sleeve positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 50  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         53 . The decorative sleeve positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 50  wherein a portion of the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are in registry with one another and wherein a portion of the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         54 . The decorative sleeve positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping of  claim 49  wherein the paper-appearing textured or matt finish of the expanded core polymeric film is produced by printing, embossing, or printing and embossing at least a portion of the expanded core polymeric film.  
     
     
         55 . A method for wrapping a floral grouping with a polymeric wrapper wherein at least one surface thereof has been modified to provide the polymeric wrapper with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper, comprising: 
 providing a floral grouping having an upper end and a stem portion;    providing a polymeric wrapper formed of an expanded core polymeric film having a thickness of from about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils, the expanded core polymeric film having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces of the expanded core polymeric film is textured or modified to provide such surface with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper so that at least a portion of the polymeric wrapper formed from the expanded core polymeric film is also provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper, the polymeric wrapper having an upper end, a lower end, an inner peripheral surface defining a retaining space, an outer peripheral surface, and a bonding material disposed upon a portion of at least one of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the polymeric wrapper for holding overlapping portions of the polymeric wrapper in a crimped position adjacent a stem portion of the floral grouping;    placing the floral grouping into the retaining space of the polymeric wrapper; and    binding the polymeric wrapper about the floral grouping by crimping portions of the polymeric wrapper together causing at least one portion of the polymeric wrapper to overlap another portion of the polymeric wrapper, the bonding material engaging the overlapping portions of the polymeric wrapper together in a position surrounding and adjacent a portion of the floral grouping forming a crimped portion of the polymeric wrapper and wherein at least a portion of the stem portion is disposed within the crimped portion thereby binding the polymeric wrapper in a position about the floral grouping.    
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55  wherein, in the step of providing the polymeric wrapper, the polymeric wrapper is further characterized as having detaching means for detaching a portion of the polymeric wrapper after the polymeric wrapper has been bound about the floral grouping.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 55  wherein, in the step of providing the polymeric wrapper, the bonding material is disposed on a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the polymeric wrapper and wherein the expanded core polymeric film from which the polymeric wrapper is formed is further provided with an embossed design, printed material and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 55  wherein, in the step of providing the polymeric wrapper, the bonding material is disposed on a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the polymeric wrapper.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 55  wherein, in the step of providing the polymeric wrapper, the bonding material is disposed on portions of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the polymeric wrapper.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 55  wherein, in the step of providing the polymeric wrapper, the polymeric wrapper is further characterized as having detaching means for detaching a portion of the polymeric wrapper and wherein the method further comprises detaching a portion of the polymeric wrapper via the detaching means after the polymeric wrapper has been bound about the floral grouping.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60  wherein, in the step of providing the polymeric wrapper, the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the polymeric wrapper detached and the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the polymeric wrapper bound about the floral grouping are each provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 55  wherein, in the step of providing the polymeric wrapper, the polymeric wrapper is further provided with printed material, designs and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62  wherein, in the step of providing the polymeric wrapper, the polymeric wrapper is further provided with an embossed pattern thereon.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63  wherein, in the step of providing the polymeric wrapper, at least a portion of the printed material, designs and combinations thereof and the embossed pattern are in registry.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63  wherein, in the step of providing the polymeric wrapper, at least a portion of the printed material, designs and combinations thereof and the embossed pattern are out of register with one another.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 55  wherein, in the step of providing the wrapper, the wrapper is further provided with an embossed pattern thereon.  
     
     
         67 . A method for packaging a plant comprising the steps of: 
 providing a pot containing a floral grouping;    providing a flexible polymeric sleeve formed of an expanded core polymeric film wherein at least a portion of one surface of the expanded core polymeric film has been textured or modified so that at least a portion of the flexible polymeric sleeve is provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper, the flexible polymeric sleeve having perforations at preselected areas and a bonding material, the flexible polymeric sleeve being positionable about the pot such that a lower portion of the flexible polymeric sleeve closely surrounds and encompasses the pot, an upper portion of the flexible polymeric sleeve extending upwardly from the pot, the upper portion of the flexible polymeric sleeve removable from the lower portion of the flexible polymeric sleeve along the perforations; and    disposing the pot within the flexible polymeric sleeve such that the lower portion of the flexible polymeric sleeve is positioned adjacent the pot and at least a portion of the lower portion of the flexible polymeric sleeve is bondingly connected to the pot via the bonding material whereby the upper portion of the flexible polymeric sleeve extends upwardly from the pot and substantially surrounds and encompasses the floral grouping within the pot so that when the upper portion of the flexible polymeric sleeve is detached from the lower portion of the flexible polymeric sleeve along the perforations, the lower portion of the flexible polymeric sleeve remains disposed about the pot and forms a decorative plant cover having an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper which substantially surrounds and encompasses the pot.    
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper and perforations at preselected areas, the flexible polymeric sleeve is further defined as having a first end and a second end, the flexible polymeric sleeve having an opening which intersects both the first and second end forming an inner peripheral surface which defines a cavity for receiving the pot containing a floral grouping.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 67  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper and perforations at preselected areas, the flexible polymeric sleeve is further defined as having a first end, a closed second end and an opening which intersects the first end.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 69  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper and perforations at preselected areas, the perforations in the flexible polymeric sleeve include vertical perforations and circumferential perforations.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper and perforations at preselected areas, the expanded core polymeric film from which the flexible polymeric sleeve is formed has a thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper and perforations at preselected areas, the flexible polymeric sleeve further comprises two or more layers of material wherein at least one of the layers of material is textured or modified to provide such layer of material with a surface assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 67  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper and perforations at preselected areas, the perforations in the flexible polymeric sleeve are vertical perforations and circumferential perforations.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 73  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper and perforations at preselected areas, the expanded core polymeric film from which the flexible polymeric sleeve is formed has a thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 73  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper and perforations at preselected areas, the flexible polymeric sleeve is further provided with printed material, designs and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 75  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having an appearance assimilating paper and perforations at preselected areas, the flexible polymeric sleeve is further provided with an embossed pattern thereon.  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper and perforations at preselected areas, at least a portion of the printed material, designs and combinations thereof and the embossed pattern on the flexible polymeric sleeve are in registry.  
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 76  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper and perforations at preselected areas, at least a portion of the printed material, designs and combinations thereof and the embossed pattern are out of register with one another.  
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 73  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper and perforations at preselected areas, the flexible polymeric sleeve is further provided with an embossed pattern thereon.  
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 73  comprising the additional step of removing the upper portion of the flexible polymeric sleeve by tearing the upper portion away from the lower portion along the perforations.  
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 73  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper and perforations at preselected areas, at least the lower portion of the flexible polymeric sleeve is provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 73  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper and perforations at preselected areas, at least the upper portion of the flexible polymeric sleeve is provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 67  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve having an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper and perforations at preselected areas, at least a portion of the upper and lower portions of the flexible polymeric sleeve are provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         84 . A method for providing a decorative polymeric cover for a flower pot wherein at least a portion of the decorative cover is provided with a texture or appearance assimilating the texture or appearance of paper, comprising: 
 providing a sleeve formed of an expanded core polymeric film, the sleeve having at least one surface thereof textured or modified so that the sleeve has a texture or appearance assimilating the appearance of paper, the sleeve having an upper end, a lower end and an opening extending therethrough intersecting the upper end thereof;    providing the flower pot; and    disposing the flower pot in the opening in the sleeve whereby the sleeve encompasses a substantial portion of the flower pot and provides the decorative polymeric cover for the flower pot which is provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.    
     
     
         85 . A tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping, the tubular sleeve formed of an expanded core polymeric film having at least one surface thereof modified or textured to provide the tubular sleeve formed from the expanded core polymeric film with a textured or matt finish assimilating the appearance of paper, the tubular sleeve having a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface surrounding an inner retaining space and the floral grouping having a lower portion and an upper portion, the tubular sleeve, comprising: 
 a decorative base portion having a closed lower end, an upper end and a retaining space for enclosing the pot, the base having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface wherein at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface is provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper, the decorative base being tapered, sized and dimensioned to cover substantially the outer peripheral surface of the pot;    a skirt portion attached to the base portion and extending beyond the upper end of the base portion; and    a sleeve portion connected to the skirt portion and sized to substantially surround and encompass the floral grouping and extend a distance therefrom, the sleeve portion detachable from the skirt portion via a plurality of angularly oriented perforations whereby, upon detachment of the skirt portion from the sleeve portion, the skirt portion is provided with an angular upper edge positioned near the lower portion of the floral grouping and the decorative base portion remains in a position surrounding the pot.    
     
     
         86 . The tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping of  claim 85  wherein the outer peripheral surface of the decorative base portion of the tubular sleeve is provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper, and wherein the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve is characterized as having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface wherein at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve is provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         87 . The tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping of  claim 85  wherein the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve is characterized as having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface wherein at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve is provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         88 . The tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping of  claim 85  wherein the expanded core polymeric film has a thickness of from about 0.6 mil to about 10 mils and wherein the expanded core polymeric film is further provided with printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof on at least one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof.  
     
     
         89 . The tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping of  claim 88  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are in registry with one another.  
     
     
         90 . The tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping of  claim 88  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         91 . The tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping of  claim 88  wherein a portion of the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are in registry with one another and a portion of the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the expanded core polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         92 . The tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping of  claim 85  wherein the textured or matt finish of the expanded core polymeric film is produced by printing, embossing, or printing and embossing the expanded core polymeric film.  
     
     
         93 . A tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping, the tubular sleeve formed of a flexible polymeric material having at least a portion of one surface thereof modified or textured to provide the flexible polymeric material with an appearance or texture assimilating the appearance of paper, the tubular sleeve having a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface surrounding an inner retaining space and the floral grouping having a lower portion and an upper portion, the tubular sleeve, comprising: 
 a decorative base portion having a closed lower end, an upper end and a retaining space for enclosing the pot, the base having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface wherein at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface is modified or textured to provide such surface with a paper-like appearance, the decorative base being tapered, sized and dimensioned to cover substantially the outer peripheral surface of the pot;    a skirt portion attached to the base portion and extending beyond the upper end of the base portion;    a sleeve portion connected to the skirt portion and sized to substantially surround and encompass the floral grouping and extend a distance therefrom, the sleeve portion detachable from the skirt portion via a plurality of angularly oriented perforations whereby, upon detachment of the skirt portion from the sleeve portion, the skirt portion is provided with an angular upper edge positioned near the lower portion of the floral grouping and the decorative base portion remains in a position surrounding the pot; and    expansion means integral to at least one of the skirt portion and the base portion for enhancing the extension of at least a portion of the skirt portion away from the base portion.    
     
     
         94 . The tubular sleeve of  claim 93  wherein the closed lower end of the base portion of the tubular sleeve is provided with a gusset.  
     
     
         95 . The tubular sleeve of  claim 94  wherein the flexible polymeric material from which the tubular sleeve is made has a thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.  
     
     
         96 . The tubular sleeve of  claim 95  wherein the flexible polymeric material from which the tubular sleeve is made has a thickness of from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mils.  
     
     
         97 . The tubular sleeve of  claim 93  wherein the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve is further provided with an extended portion for serving as a handle or support element.  
     
     
         98 . A plant package, comprising: 
 a tubular sleeve formed of an expanded core polymeric material, the tubular sleeve having a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface surrounding an inner retaining space wherein at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface is modified or textured to provide the tubular sleeve with an appearance or texture assimilating the appearance or texture of paper, and wherein the tubular sleeve further comprises: 
 a base portion having a closed lower end, an upper end, a retaining space for enclosing a pot, and an outer peripheral surface, the outer peripheral surface of the base portion of the tubular sleeve having an appearance assimilating the appearance or texture of paper;  
 a skirt portion extending beyond the upper end of the base portion and having an upper peripheral edge; and  
 a sleeve portion connected to the skirt portion and detachable from the skirt portion via a plurality of angularly oriented perforations;  
   a pot having a floral grouping disposed within the retaining space of the base portion of the tubular sleeve such that the pot is substantially surrounded and encompassed by the base portion of the tubular sleeve and the floral grouping is substantially surrounded and encompassed by the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve prior to detaching the sleeve portion from the skirt portion, whereby, upon detachment of the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve from the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve, the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve is provided with an angular upper edge positioned near the lower portion of the floral grouping and the decorative base portion of the tubular sleeve remains in a position surrounding the pot.    
     
     
         99 . The plant package of  claim 98  wherein the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve is characterized as having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface and wherein at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve has an appearance assimilating the appearance or texture of paper.  
     
     
         100 . The plant package of  claim 99  wherein the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve is characterized as having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface wherein at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve has an appearance assimilating the appearance or texture of paper.  
     
     
         101 . The plant package of  claim 100  wherein the expanded core polymeric material has a thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils.  
     
     
         102 . The plant package of  claim 101  wherein the expanded core polymeric material has a thickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mils.  
     
     
         103 . The plant package of  claim 102  further comprising a second material laminated to the expanded core polymeric material.  
     
     
         104 . The plant package of  claim 100  wherein the closed lower end of the base portion of the tubular sleeve is provided with a with a gusset.  
     
     
         105 . The plant package of  claim 104  wherein the tubular sleeve further comprises: 
 expansion means integral to at least one of the skirt portion and the base portion of the tubular sleeve for enhancing the extension of at least a portion of the skirt portion away from the base portion.  
 
     
     
         106 . The plant package of  claim 98  wherein the tubular sleeve further comprises: 
 expansion means integral to at least one of the skirt portion and the base portion of the tubular sleeve for enhancing the extension of at least a portion of the skirt portion away from the base portion.  
 
     
     
         107 . A decorative tubular sleeve formed of a polymeric material capable of being formed into a decorative sleeve and having a thickness in the range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils, the decorative tubular sleeve having a texture or appearance assimilating paper and positionable about at least a portion of a flower pot or a floral grouping, the decorative tubular sleeve comprising: 
 a base portion having a lower end, an upper end, a retaining space for enclosing a pot and an outer peripheral surface, the outer peripheral surface of the base portion of the tubular sleeve having embossed, printed or embossed and printed designs to provide such surface with an appearance assimilating the appearance or texture of paper;    a skirt portion extending beyond the upper end of the base portion and having an upper peripheral edge; and    a sleeve portion connected to the skirt portion and detachable from the skirt portion via a plurality of angularly oriented perforations.    
     
     
         108 . The decorative tubular sleeve of  claim 107  wherein the sheet of flexible polymeric material capable of being formed into a decorative sleeve has a thickness of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils.  
     
     
         109 . A method for wrapping a floral grouping with a polymeric wrapper having at least a portion of one surface thereof textured or modified so as to provide such portion of the polymeric wrapper with an appearance assimilating paper, comprising: 
 providing a floral grouping having an upper end and a stem portion;    providing a wrapper formed of a flexible polymeric material having a thickness in the range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils, the flexible polymeric material having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein at least a portion of one of the upper and lower surfaces of the flexible polymeric material is textured or modified to provide such surface with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper such that at least a portion of the wrapper form from the flexible polymeric material is also provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper, the wrapper having an upper end, a lower end, an inner peripheral surface defining a retaining space, an outer peripheral surface, and a bonding material disposed upon a portion of at least one of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the wrapper for holding overlapping portions of the wrapper in a crimped position adjacent a stem portion of the floral grouping;    placing the floral grouping into the retaining space of the wrapper; and    binding the wrapper about the floral grouping by crimping portions of the wrapper together causing at least one portion of the wrapper to overlap another portion of the wrapper, the bonding material engaging the overlapping portions of the wrapper together in a position surrounding and adjacent a portion of the floral grouping forming a crimped portion of the wrapper and wherein at least a portion of the stem portion is disposed within the crimped portion thereby binding the wrapper in a position about the floral grouping.    
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 109  wherein, in the step of providing the wrapper, the wrapper is further characterized as having detaching means for detaching a portion of the wrapper after the wrapper has been bound about the floral grouping.  
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 109  wherein, in the step of providing the wrapper, the bonding material is disposed on a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the wrapper and wherein the flexible polymeric material is further provided with an embossed design, printed material and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 109  wherein, in the step of providing the wrapper, the bonding material is disposed on a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the wrapper.  
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 109  wherein, in the step of providing the wrapper, the bonding material is disposed on portions of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the wrapper.  
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 109  wherein, in the step of providing the wrapper, the wrapper is further characterized as having detaching means for detaching a portion of the wrapper and wherein the method further comprises detaching a portion of the wrapper via the detaching means after the wrapper has been bound about the floral grouping.  
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 114  wherein, in the step of providing the wrapper, the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the wrapper detached and the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the wrapper bound about the floral grouping are each modified to provided the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the wrapper detached and the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the wrapper bound about the floral grouping wrapper with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 109  wherein, in the step of providing the wrapper, the wrapper is further provided with printed material, designs and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         117 . The method of  claim 116  wherein, in the step of providing the wrapper, the wrapper is further provided with an embossed pattern thereon.  
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 117  wherein, in the step of providing the wrapper, at least a portion of the printed material, designs and combinations thereof and the embossed pattern are in registry.  
     
     
         119 . The method of  claim 117  wherein, in the step of providing the wrapper, at least a portion of the printed material, designs and combinations thereof and the embossed pattern are out of register with one another.  
     
     
         120 . The method of  claim 109  wherein, in the step of providing the wrapper, the wrapper is further provided with an embossed pattern thereon.  
     
     
         121 . A method for packaging a plant comprising the steps of: 
 providing a pot containing a floral grouping;    providing a flexible sleeve having a paper-like appearance which is formed of a polymeric material having at least a portion of one surface thereof textured or modified to provide the polymeric material with the paper-like appearance, the flexible sleeve having perforations at preselected areas and a bonding material disposed on a portion thereof, the flexible sleeve being positionable about the pot such that a lower portion of the flexible sleeve closely surrounds and encompasses the pot, an upper portion of the flexible sleeve extending upwardly from the pot, the upper portion of the flexible sleeve removable from the lower portion of the flexible sleeve along the perforations; and    disposing the pot within the flexible sleeve such that the lower portion of the flexible sleeve is positioned adjacent the pot and at least a portion of the lower portion of the flexible sleeve is bondingly connected to the pot via the bonding material whereby the upper portion of the flexible sleeve extends upwardly from the pot and substantially surrounds and encompasses the floral grouping within the pot so that when the upper portion of the flexible sleeve is detached from the lower portion of the flexible sleeve along the perforations, the lower portion of the flexible sleeve remains disposed about the pot and forms a decorative plant cover having an appearance assimilating paper in appearance which substantially surrounds and encompasses the pot.    
     
     
         122 . The method of  claim 121  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve having a paper-like appearance and perforations at preselected areas, the flexible sleeve is further defined as having a first end, a second end and an opening which intersects both the first and second end and forms an inner peripheral surface which defines a cavity for receiving the pot containing a floral grouping.  
     
     
         123 . The method of  claim 121  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having a paper-like appearance and perforations at preselected areas, the flexible sleeve is further defined as having a first end, a closed second end and an opening which intersects the first end.  
     
     
         124 . The method of  claim 123  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having a paper-like appearance and perforations at preselected areas, the closed second end of the flexible sleeve is provided with a gusset.  
     
     
         125 . The method of  claim 124  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having a paper-like appearance and perforations at preselected areas, the perforations in the flexible sleeve in preselected areas includes vertical perforations and circumferential perforations.  
     
     
         126 . The method of  claim 125  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having a paper-like appearance and perforations at preselected areas, the flexible sleeve is provided with a thickness of from about 0.1 mil and about 30 mils.  
     
     
         127 . The method of  claim 126  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having a paper-like appearance and perforations at preselected areas, the flexible sleeve comprises two or more layers of polymeric material wherein at least one of the layers of polymeric material is textured or modified to provide such layer of polymeric material with a surface assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         128 . The method of  claim 121  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having a paper-like appearance and perforations at preselected areas, the perforations in the flexible sleeve in preselected areas are vertical perforations and circumferential perforations.  
     
     
         129 . The method of  claim 128  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having a paper-like appearance and perforations at preselected areas, the flexible sleeve is provided with a thickness of from about 0.1 mil and about 30 mils.  
     
     
         130 . The method of  claim 129  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having a paper-like appearance and perforations at preselected areas, the flexible sleeve is further provided with printed material, designs and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         131 . The method of  claim 130  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having a paper-like appearance and perforations at preselected areas, the flexible sleeve is further provided with an embossed pattern thereon.  
     
     
         132 . The method of  claim 131  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having a paper-like appearance and perforations at preselected areas, at least a portion of the printed material, designs and combinations thereof and the embossed pattern are in registry.  
     
     
         133 . The method of  claim 131  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having a paper-like appearance and perforations at preselected areas, at least a portion of the printed material, designs and combinations thereof and the embossed pattern are out of registry.  
     
     
         134 . The method of  claim 129  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having a paper-like appearance and perforations at preselected areas, the flexible sleeve is further provided with an embossed pattern thereon.  
     
     
         135 . The method of  claim 131  comprising the additional step of removing the upper portion of the flexible sleeve by tearing the upper portion away from the lower portion along the perforations.  
     
     
         136 . The method of  claim 121  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible polymeric sleeve having a paper-like appearance and perforations at preselected areas, the flexible sleeve is characterized as having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface and at least a portion of one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the flexible sleeve is textured or modified so that at least the lower portion of the flexible sleeve is provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         137 . The method of  claim 121  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve having a paper-like appearance and perforations at preselected areas, the flexible sleeve is characterized as having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface and at least a portion of one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the flexible sleeve is textured or modified so that at least a portion of one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the flexible sleeve is textured or modified whereby at least a portion of the lower and the upper portion of the flexible sleeve is provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         138 . The method of  claim 121  wherein, in the step of providing a flexible sleeve having a paper-like appearance and perforations at preselected areas, at least a portion of the upper and lower portions of the flexible sleeve are modified or textured so that at least a portion of the upper and lower portions of the flexible sleeve is provided with an appearance assimilating the appearance of paper.  
     
     
         139 . A method for providing a decorative cover having a paper-like appearance wherein the decorative cover extends about at least a portion of a flower pot comprising: 
 providing a sleeve formed of a flexible polymeric material, the sleeve having an outer peripheral surface which is textured, printed, embossed and combinations thereof to provide the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve with a textured or modified appearance assimilating the texture or appearance of paper, the sleeve having an upper end, a lower end and an opening extending therethrough intersecting the upper end thereof;    providing the flower pot; and disposing the flower pot in the opening in the sleeve whereby the sleeve encompasses a substantial portion of the flower pot and provides the decorative cover having a paper-like appearance for the flower pot.    
     
     
         140 . The method for providing a decorative cover having a paperlike appearance of  claim 139  wherein the lower end of the sleeve is closed and wherein the sleeve further comprises a gusset formed in the closed lower end.  
     
     
         141 . A tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping, the tubular sleeve formed of a flexible polymeric material having at least one surface thereof modified or textured to provide the tubular sleeve with an appearance or texture assimilating the texture or appearance of paper, the tubular sleeve having a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface surrounding an inner retaining space, the tubular sleeve, comprising: 
 a decorative base portion having a closed lower end, an upper end and a retaining space for enclosing the pot, the base having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface wherein at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface is modified or textured to provide such surface with a paper-like appearance, the decorative base being tapered, sized and dimensioned to cover substantially the outer peripheral surface of the pot;    a skirt portion attached to the base portion and extending beyond the upper end of the base portion; and    a sleeve portion connected to the skirt portion and sized to substantially surround and encompass the floral grouping and extend a distance therefrom, the sleeve portion detachable from the skirt portion via a plurality of angularly oriented perforations whereby, upon detachment of the skirt portion from the sleeve portion, the skirt portion is provided with an angular upper edge positioned near the lower portion of the floral grouping and the decorative base portion remains in a position surrounding the pot.    
     
     
         142 . The tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping of  claim 141  wherein the outer peripheral surface of the decorative base portion of the tubular sleeve is modified or textured to provide the outer peripheral surface of the decorative base portion with a paper-like appearance, and wherein the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve is characterized as having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface wherein at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve is modified or textured to provide such surface of the skirt portion of the tubular sleeve with a paper-like appearance.  
     
     
         143 . The tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping of  claim 142  wherein the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve is characterized as having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface wherein at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve is modified or textured to provide such surface of the sleeve portion of the tubular sleeve with a paper-like appearance.  
     
     
         144 . The tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping of  claim 143  wherein the flexible polymeric material is provided with a thickness in the range of from about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mils and wherein the flexible polymeric material is further provided with printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof on at least one of the upper and lower surfaces thereof.  
     
     
         145 . The tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping of  claim 144  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the flexible polymeric material are in registry with one another.  
     
     
         146 . The tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping of  claim 144  wherein the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the flexible polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         147 . The tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping of  claim 144  wherein a portion of the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the flexible polymeric material are in registry with one another and wherein a portion of the printed and embossed materials, designs and combinations thereof provided on the flexible polymeric material are out of registry with one another.  
     
     
         148 . The tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping of  claim 141  wherein the paper-appearing surface of the flexible polymeric material is produced by printing, embossing, or printing and embossing the flexible polymeric material.  
     
     
         149 . A tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping, the tubular sleeve formed of a surface textured or modified flexible polymeric material having a paper-like texture or appearance such that the tubular sleeve produced from the surface textured of modified flexible polymeric material is also provided with a paper-like appearance, the tubular sleeve having a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface surrounding an inner retaining space, the tubular sleeve comprising: 
 a decorative base portion having a closed lower end, an upper end and a retaining space for enclosing the pot, the decorative base tapered, sized and dimensioned to cover substantially an outer peripheral surface of the pot;    a skirt portion attached to the base portion and extending beyond the upper end of the base portion;    a sleeve portion connected to the skirt portion and sized to substantially surround and encompass the floral grouping and extend a distance therefrom, the sleeve portion detachable from the skirt portion via a plurality of angularly oriented perforations whereby, upon detachment of the skirt portion from the sleeve portion, the skirt portion is provided with an angular upper edge positioned near the lower portion of the floral grouping and the decorative base portion remains in a position surrounding the pot; and    expansion means integral to at least one of the skirt portion and the base portion for enhancing the extension of at least a portion of the skirt portion away from the base portion.    
     
     
         150 . A tubular sleeve for containing a pot having a floral grouping, the tubular sleeve formed of a surface textured or modified flexible polymeric material having a paper-like texture or appearance such that the tubular sleeve produced from the surface textured of modified flexible polymeric material is also provided with a paper-like appearance, the tubular sleeve having a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface surrounding an inner retaining space, the tubular sleeve comprising: 
 a decorative base portion having a closed lower end, an upper end and a retaining space for enclosing the pot, the decorative base tapered, sized and dimensioned to cover substantially an outer peripheral surface of the pot;    a skirt portion attached to the base portion and extending beyond the upper end of the base portion; and    a sleeve portion connected to the skirt portion and sized to substantially surround and encompass the floral grouping and extend a distance therefrom, the sleeve portion detachable from the skirt portion via a plurality of angularly oriented perforations whereby, upon detachment of the skirt portion from the sleeve portion, the skirt portion is provided with an angular upper edge positioned near the lower portion of the floral grouping and the decorative base portion remains in a position surrounding the pot.