There is a fine line between garden art and garden litter. I can’t really quantify the difference because it is different for everyone. I can’t say 25 pieces of art are too many or too few. It depends on the type of art, the size of the garden, and - of course - the gardener. Not everyone likes to have art in their garden and not everyone’s definition of art will be the same. I happen to like the shape of circles, globes and orbs, so I have tried to limit my garden art to glass floats, ceramic balls, and even pool balls. It gives some continuity in the garden. But I also love hedgehogs (also a “globe” shape), so I have a collection of them scattered throughout the yard. Some are cement, some are resin, and some are ceramic. But they make me smile whenever I see them as I stroll my garden paths.
I do look for garden art ideas in other gardens but I really started thinking outside the box when I visited the Oregon Garden in June. Have you been there this summer? The garden is holding "Art in the Garden," a summer-long display of garden art in place until September 4th. They have installed works of art along the paths as you go through the garden, most of which is for sale.
I came home from that weekend at the Oregon Garden with a mosaic garden orb - in blue of course - as a souvenir. But I also have been thinking of other ways I could enhance my own yard.
Not having any sort of colorful yarn at home, I turned instead to my craft box where I found strings of colorful shoestring-like cords that are used to string beads. And with a bag of multicolored beads that was in the bottom of the box, I strung a dozen cords with the beads. These were tied onto branches of the rhododendron next to the patio. It is an old one and the lower branches have been cut off in years past allowing perfect places to hang some color. Kind of "tree bling!"
Several years ago, the Tillamook Forest Center had their own garden art display and I was taken with a large frame that had been set on the diagonal to form a diamond between two trees. Having a very skilled husband, I was able to talk him into crafting me a smaller version to fit in my garden. The Forest Center’s frame was probably seven feet on a side. Mine is a much smaller four feet, still large enough to be pretty dramatic in the garden, especially since I stained it the same cobalt blue that is the color of several features in my yard: chairs, resin balls, obelisks, and pillows. Now I have a giant blue frame, too. And we have it placed in such a way that it can be viewed from both sides, framing different parts of the garden.
Garden art is not considered hardscape like paths or walls, but it can add a new dimension to your garden. Pick a theme that you like and start collecting things that fit that theme. Antique shops and thrift shops are good places to start as are yard and garage sales. Try to stick to the theme and not go too far afield or the garden art will turn to garden litter. A fun aspect of garden art is when it is small enough to move around the yard. About this time every summer I start to get bored with the way the garden looks. But by moving a few pots and some of the art, I give it a new look. The grandchildren love to go on a “hunt” when they come out to see where Gram has moved their favorite hedgehog or orb.
I do move all the garden art inside for the winter. Most of the materials would be okay outside, but I don’t want to take a chance of an alder branch snapping off and breaking something. It is just easier to clean everything and wrap it in newspaper to store out of the cold and rain. But that would depend on how heavy the art is and what materials it is made from.
Think about what you can do in your garden that can create a new, fresh look.
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