I bought the color changing version. It comes on automatically when you plug it in, and goes through the color cycle. The remote is just there for fine adjustment if you would prefer other colors, speeds, etc.
The flowers feel like they are decently made, but the 'branch' sections look much cheaper, looking like they are wrapped in electrical tape style material. The item comes folded up, and you have to arrange the flowers yourself. However, there seems like enough flowers that it wouldn't see...