Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Art In The Garden

I know I wrote a post on this about a year ago, but I feel it is important to revisit this area of gardening once again. 


I said I would never put a gazing ball in my garden, but when I saw this one at Home Goods, I thought this color was perfect for a subtle effect.


I have metal artwork all along the north side of my home.  It is narrow but interesting!

Plantings are a work of art and may be enough for you, but I view my garden as an extension of my home and try to enhance it as I would a room that is indoors.  My lot is small but I have approximately four outdoor rooms.


A rusted iron bench sits in the back garden.  I actually have sat here and contemplated what I am going to do next.


This is a cedar bench on that hot south side of my home, tropical plantings and raised bed.  I do not sit here too often because of the heat.

As you can see, this is not a bench for me, the children have taken this over with my Irish pots in the background.

Seating can be merely whimsical, does not actually have to be used to create an atmosphere.

I have to constantly remind myself not to overdo all of the decor in the garden, some seating, some obelisks. trellises, fence hangings, statuary and those things we don't know how to categorize.

Like a toad house!  I receive many garden gifts from my family and I just have to find a place for them in the garden.

An obelisk can just be a work of art, does not have to support a vine.

This obelisk is in the middle of a very full garden, has a smaller clematis growing on it.

This is an old metal indoor plant stand that I bought at an antique sale, does just fine outdoors with Betty Corning clematis.

Many of us purchase trellises to hold our vines but how often do we think of the fact that the trellis will not even show once the vine has become full grown.  Sometimes you can avert this problem by purchasing a much taller trellis or a trellis that has fancy work protruding out of the sides.

This is a very tall trellis and the top is never fully covered to that pretty scroll work shows all season.

A smaller iron trellis where the scroll work peeks out on the sides


Along the fence I like trellises that blend into the background, wired two narrow ones together to form a large enough support for Duchess Of Albany.

Of course nothing would be more inviting than having some decor on the patio!




I may get rid of those daisies, don't really go with my look!

My front garden is much more formal, decor absent except for this weathered concrete birdbath.

19 comments:

Jennifer@threedogsinagarden said...

Hi Eileen, I like your gazing ball and also have a weakness for anything metal, especially hanging planters and trellis supports. ( I have my eye on a curved metal window box at the local garden center. It is a bit pricy, but maybe if it goes on sale...) I particularly like your rusted iron bench.

GRACE PETERSON said...

I think garden art is a lot of fun. I love your goodies--great eye candy.

Rainy Day Gardener said...

I really like the obelisk that you use for your clematis, I need to keep my eye out for something like that! You have some fun and pretty pieces in your yard Eileen!

Darla said...

Your have some very cool items tucked around and in your gardens. Adds character, don't you agree?

Dave@TheHomeGarden said...

Garden art is definitely an area my garden is deficient in. I spend more time thinking about the plants. Your art look very nice!

Cher' Shots said...

I love your gardens! I also add little touches of decor in mine. I'll be sharing some pics soon.
'hugs from afar'

Becca's Dirt said...

Love your selection of yard art. I would love to sit a spell with a glass of wine and take in the beauty.

Lona said...

Your garden decor it just enough to make it look beautiful. I like garden decor pieces of course and like enough to accent the flowers in my beds. Your Toad house is so pretty!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Jennifer,

I found the rusted iron bench at a local nursery. They always have great pieces and are not inexpensive but within reason.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Grace,

You are the queen of garden art! My sister-in-law is a collector like you and sees garden art in everything. I am still learning to spot a find.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Jenni,

The oblesiks I pick up whenever I see a bargain. I guess you can't have too many of these.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Darla

I do agree it personalizes the garden just like it does inside when we decorate.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Dave,

I didn't have art in my garden for years. Your day will come when your children get old enough to honor your garden. They will begin to buy you things and then you will have garden art.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Cher,

It is nice to have something other than my shed to look at. I found I even had to add hayracks to that.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Becca,

It is relaxing to sit out there and look at all the plants coming up around the art.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Lona,

My toad house was a gift from my daughter and I don't know if a toad has ever crossed the opening. I have it in a more secluded spot now so maybe!

Eileen

Alison said...

You have some really lovely and interesting pieces of garden art. I love the stuff you have hanging from chains in your patio area. I was thinking of doing something like that on my back porch, but we get some high winds here. How do yours handle the wind?

Sissy said...

You have done such an awesome job creating garden rooms...I love your round owl on the bench!

Beth said...

Eileen, You have great garden art and I enjoyed viewing your garden rooms. Like your gazing ball, too!
Beth