Do you think a renter should be able paint their walls?

No,you shouldn't paint unless you lease specifically says you can or you have your landlord's permission. You may think the flowers will look great, but the next tenant may not. It may be your intention to paint over them when you leave, but what happens if your circumstances change? What if you don't have time, or the money or are physically unable to do so. I had every intention of cleaning my last apartment and leaving it in move in condition. Until my daughter tripped in the parking lot on the last day of our move and broke her foot. We spent the time we had intended to spend cleaning, at the emergency room getting her foot xrayed and casted. As a result, I got a bill for 900.00 from the manager. More importantly, if you lease says you cannot paint and you do, you are in violation of your lease and can be asked to move. If you cannot get permission to paint, there are alternatives. Buy some easy to remove wall paper (not the kind you paste, there are products designed to be used long term then peel off), buy some ceramic tiles and paint your flowers on them, then frame them in a wooden frame and place them on your counter as accents, or if you are really handy, cut and paint a section of drywall and hang it temporarily on the wall.

I did that, once! I painted my walls how I wanted, and then before I moved out I painted it back to plain white. I don't think it's exactly legal, but I hate plain walls. I guess it depends on how strict your landlord is. I knew mine wouldn't care, he was really lenient. But if it's a strict landlord....