Garden Ornaments
There are a massive amount of garden ornaments to choose from nowadays; sundials, simple garden gnomes, fountains or ornamental statues to name a few. Some ornaments are coloured and really stand out, and some are plain, designed to give a more subtle, natural feel. When shopping for these attractive enhancements to your garden there are a few things you should remember.
Different Materials
When picking a garden ornament, consider that there are many different materials to choose from. You can get metal garden ornaments, stone, steel, wooden, cast stone, tin, concrete, cast iron and even glass. What will complement your existing garden? You may want conventional materials or you may prefer a more modern and architectural look. Remember that metal and stone garden ornaments are particularly durable and sometimes they can be affected by frost. Not that other garden ornaments aren't durable too, but you should give metal and stone special care and attention. If you're into all things green and saving the planet then why not used reclaimed materials for your garden ornaments? There are suppliers of recycled ornaments that can be found in any good gardening magazine or on the internet.
Themes
Garden ornaments can create a theme and perfectly enhance a disused area.
You could create an eye-catching Christmas scene, with cane reindeer, a wooden sledge used as a plant table, some light catching indoor baubles all lit up with a string of delicate outdoor fairy lights. So much more stylish than those awful plastic Santas so many people now put in their front gardens at Christmas.
Garden ornaments can also make wonderful gifts for keen gardeners “they will appreciate having something to keep year after year and they'll remember you!
Perhaps you'd like to bring a taste of the orient to your garden. If you have a Japanese sand garden you don't have to fill it with statues of samurai. It's more about what fits and works together in harmony. An exotic theme can easily be created with the use of buddahs, stone spheres, dragons and clean lined shapes. There are some fantastically simple glass spheres that catch the light and look absolutely stunning.
You could also consider a nature theme. Group a set of stone animals in a forgotten corner of the garden and it'll instantly bring it to life. Use a bird bath to complement this theme. Let your imagination go!
Or what about a mystical theme with fairy ornaments, trolls, witches and a gargoyle? This might also be a good spot for the garden gnomes, who have an element of mystery about them. We've even seen a tin man too!
Design
Some time spent planning your garden ornaments will ensure you have an elegant display that enhances your garden. Look at pictures of gardens in magazines to get ideas about which ornaments complement each other.
Don't put Grecian statues next to garden gnomes as these don't complement each other. Be careful with position; a sundial is attractive, but if put next to a large statue that blocks the light for half the day you won't get full benefit from it.
Another tip is not to put too many water features close together or you'll end up with the roar of a waterfall instead of a gentle relaxing trickle.
Location
Ornaments can liven up a garden or attract attention so don't hide them in a corner or group them all in a huddle. Space them out, arrange flowers around them and consider their location as a focal feature.
Ornaments can be used to enhance a patio, driveway, entrance or the main body of the garden. Don't make the perfect garden then dump an accessory in the middle because you liked it in the shop or it was on sale. Include ornaments in the basic design and planning of your garden as this is probably the best time to think about what will look best.
Unless ornaments are very heavy it's probably a good idea not to put them in a front garden in case they are stolen. It's a shame we have to consider this, but a sad fact of the world we live in. After you've thought about the points above go shopping at a garden centre and see what you can find that inspires you. We all have individual taste, and you can reflect your personality in your choice of garden ornaments. Some people love gnomes and others hate them. Some find simple and modern ornaments beautiful whilst others prefer little statues of animals. Whatever your preference, plan, purchase and enjoy!
Remember Have fun with your Garden Ornaments.