Garden art and decor

Adding the element of art and design to a garden can give it personality. All too often gardens are designed by the current layout. Taking control and creating a new design refreshes the space and adds new life and may even attract new creatures to visit.

First make a sketch or design layout of the area. Make sure the design works well with the intended plants, allowing sun where needed and cool shade for the shade-dwelling plants. Also decide on the functions of the garden. If produce is one of the goals set aside an area for herbs and vegetables to grow.

Extra hearty flowers that bloom continuously, with varying grow cycles are a great way to have instant bouquet flowers at hand for gifts and special occasion. What spouse wouldn’t love a bouquet of fresh flowers grown straight from the backyard with love? Wildflowers and native plants grow with little maintenance needed. Set aside an area to let them grow unbridled in their wild beauty.

Support structures like gazebos, benches, and walls define areas. Place benches in shaded areas that beg to be enjoyed, under a shady willow for example. Place garden accessories and art along pathways and at entrances. Animal statues should be placed as naturally as possible. A stone squirrel at the base of a tree or a ceramic bunny among the strawberry patch are good examples.

Use hearty ground cover to fill in blank spots and to cover hard-to-grow areas. This will give the garden a lush appearance without having to maintain as many sensitive plants. Another great idea is a “touch” garden. Touch gardens are designed for the tactile experience. Plants that are safe to come in contact with and have varying textures encourage children and adults alike to experience plants and flowers in a whole new way. Look for soft plants like deer’s ear or textured ferns to stroke.

Wind chimes are another way to introduce more senses to the garden experience. Place wind chimes with different sounds in correlating areas. Try and match the sound with a visual cue. Tall grasses and reeds accented by the sound of a bamboo wind chime or a soft tinkling chime among the tiny delicate flowers of Queen Anne’s lace and baby’s breath will create an all around sensory experience.

Water features not only add beauty and the soothing sound of running water but cool an area by a couple degrees. Add fountains, ponds, and streams to create an oasis of beauty. Water also provides a whole new growing medium for water plants like lily pads.

Zen gardens can also add an area of interest. Zen gardens are usually sand or gravel with a few choice rocks placed strategically. The setup is to represent islands in the sea and will evoke a sense of calm. Plus the creator can spend hours just meditating while raking or “combing” the sand in peaceful wave patterns.

Lighting in a garden adds drama at night and allows prized plants to be accented. The garden can even designed to take on a whole new appearance at night with the help of lighting. There is nothing like enjoying a garden at night with crickets chirping soothingly. Most garden lighting is solar and spends the day charging in the sun for low-cost use at night.

Garden accessories are a great way to add personality to any garden. Decide on a theme for the garden such as a color scheme, a butterfly garden, or a motif for the art. Art festivals are great place to find creative pieces for the garden. Be sure the décor will withstand the weather. Some items cannot take prolonged exposure to the sun or will deteriorate in the winter months. Items that hold water like bird baths should be drained and covered in the winter months to prevent cracking. Some items may even need to be stored inside for the winter because of rust or other issues.

Gardening is a rewarding hobby that will provide hours of tranquil time in the outdoors. Designing a garden that reflects personal taste shows the world who created the garden. The art of design and décor sparks creativity and stimulates the spirit, a joy to all who experience it. Happy Gardening!

 

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