Calhoun County, AL – In the landscape designs of many gardeners, garden art is selected to serve as a focal point. Whether the style is rustic or modern, casual or conservative, the right pieces can add personality, color and interest to an outdoor space.
My preference is country cottage rustic. I enjoy relaxed, colorful choices in garden art that feel as though they naturally belong among the plants and flowers.
One example is colorful marbles placed inside a decorative concrete watering pedestal. In addition to adding color, the marbles provide a place for bees to safely sip water without drowning. A metal enameled weather vane spinning on a windy day can draw the eye upward toward the trees, while an orange-painted ice cream table can become the perfect spot to display a favorite potted outdoor plant.
Even simple items can become part of the landscape. A horseshoe nailed to a barn door adds rustic charm. Red ceramic mushrooms placed on green moss bring a whimsical touch to a shade garden. Glowing painted angels tucked inside hydrangeas can create an unexpected pop of color in an otherwise quiet, shaded space.
The choices for garden art are nearly endless, and some of the most enjoyable pieces are those visitors do not expect. There is something special about walking along a garden pathway, turning a corner and discovering a carefully placed garden art surprise.
Strategically placed art can elevate a visitor’s experience of the entire landscape. Garden art can be much more than traditional arbors, stepping stones, trellises, benches and gazebos. It can be colorful, whimsical, practical or simply something that makes the gardener smile.
My suggestion is to choose a theme and carry it throughout the landscape with small artistic surprises. Placing colorful pieces among the more muted, natural tones of a garden can increase visual interest and encourage visitors to stop and take a closer look.
When it comes to garden art, the ideas and possibilities truly are endless.
Betty Clark is a contributing writer. She has been an organic gardener since 1998. The signature flower she grows is Dahlias. She has a straw bale garden, a raised bed garden, and an in-ground garden. Both her surnames are from agricultural farming families (8 generations). Her hobbies include ancestry research, antiques, continued education classes, and workshops. She also has a background in marketing & promotions, including expos. To contact Betty Clark with gardening questions: bettyclark2151959@gmail.com
