I’m not a huge fan of garden ornaments. If overdone or not in harmony with a space, I
feel they can overwhelm a garden and detract from its natural beauty.
feel they can overwhelm a garden and detract from its natural beauty.
Recently, I took a trip to my hometown in central Illinois. During
daily walks through the nearby neighbors, I observed many garden
ornaments. While most of them were not
appealing to me, I decided rather than judge what someone else had done, I
would try to observe and derive a lesson from each one. Let me know how you think I did and whether
or not you would have drawn the same conclusion!
daily walks through the nearby neighbors, I observed many garden
ornaments. While most of them were not
appealing to me, I decided rather than judge what someone else had done, I
would try to observe and derive a lesson from each one. Let me know how you think I did and whether
or not you would have drawn the same conclusion!
Lesson 1 – Make your garden
sparkle
sparkle
A little bling never hurt anyone, right? In this garden the golden lion made a
statement and caught my attention. In
the same way a gazing ball reflects the garden around it, this garden ornament
shone in the sun as it protected its homeowner from harm.
statement and caught my attention. In
the same way a gazing ball reflects the garden around it, this garden ornament
shone in the sun as it protected its homeowner from harm.
Lesson 2 – Reflect
your hobbies in the garden
your hobbies in the garden
Like to fish and garden? No problem. Simply find a statue of
a fisherman and use the line as a vine support.
Problem solved.
a fisherman and use the line as a vine support.
Problem solved.
Lesson 3 – Make the
best of a bad situation
best of a bad situation
Had to take a tree down but don’t have the money or desire
to grind the stump? Why not make it into
a landing pad for a toad sculpture instead?
to grind the stump? Why not make it into
a landing pad for a toad sculpture instead?
Lesson 4 – Frame beautiful
views as a focal point
In this garden the homeowner literally framed a view. I found this ‘see through’ sculpture to be an
interesting concept.
interesting concept.
Lesson 5 – Tie the
inside of your house into the garden space
inside of your house into the garden space
I believe in connecting the inside of your home to the
outside space and feel the best landscape designers consider the view from
inside the house. That
said, I think it’s equally important to notice what you see inside the house from
the garden. In this photo, I was drawn to the row of old coke bottles on the
windowsill.
outside space and feel the best landscape designers consider the view from
inside the house. That
said, I think it’s equally important to notice what you see inside the house from
the garden. In this photo, I was drawn to the row of old coke bottles on the
windowsill.
Lesson 6 – Know your
audience
audience
Many of us strive to spend as much time outdoors as
possible, so design and furnish your space for the function you intend it to serve. In this case a children’s garden sported some
red chairs that complemented the crabby sandbox.
possible, so design and furnish your space for the function you intend it to serve. In this case a children’s garden sported some
red chairs that complemented the crabby sandbox.
Lesson 7 – Enjoy
& Observe
& Observe
Love the space you are in. Whether you are taking a walk
through your neighborhood, relaxing on the patio, or maintaining your garden –
take time to enjoy. Savor the moment and
observe. You might see something that
brings a smile to your face and causes you to ponder some important life
lessons.
through your neighborhood, relaxing on the patio, or maintaining your garden –
take time to enjoy. Savor the moment and
observe. You might see something that
brings a smile to your face and causes you to ponder some important life
lessons.
Certainly agree that too many ornaments can detract (and likely somewhat guilty of that myself!), but the contrast of man-made art with Mother Nature's can really enhance the garden viewing experience. In my yard, gnomes, gazing balls, and the like often "migrate" from season to season and I like to challenge the neighborhood kids, "Can you find the 5 gnomes this year?" and "Where's the green gazing ball now?" because I think the kids often don't look into the garden as a place to absorb, and this gets their eyes focussed on the beauty that's available to see…
Great observation – totally agree and hope you weren't offended by my post. I appreciate any ways garden owners draw others into their space!