Think of your garden as you would a room in your home. After planning the shape, tilling the soil, choosing the right plants the last step is to add the personal touch. And just as is done indoors with accessories.
What type of accessories or accents you add will depend on what you like and what type of garden you have designed. For example, in a formal garden style you probably would not add whimsical birdhouses research or a royal statue in the search would find its place in a cottage style garden.
That said, nothing is set in stone as in the garden should reflect your personality. This simply means if you like something to use it.
The following are examples of some of the accents that can be used to dress up your garden.
Gates:
They are part of a system of existing fences or free standing right, a door will add an architectural detail. Wood, iron, plain or fancy leaves the door decorated to reflect your personality.
Gazing Globes:
From Victorian times gardeners have tucked these decorative spheres in their gardens. Available in a wide range of colors and sizes ranging from 10 to 14in, the only place on a pedestal and watch how quickly things start to look magical.
Decorative Planters:
Terra Cotta, stone, metal or resin – plain, colored, textured or a bit whimsical.
Placing decorative planters filled with beautiful flowers in your garden adds interest and a focal point. These can be moved or replanted in the garden later in the season with new plants.
There are so many types of planters to choose from, just have fun with them. Moreover, any container you happen to have if it is a watering can or an old rubber boot can be made in insulated container decorative as it has some type of drainage.
Statues:
Choose from Cherubs, religious, Lions, birds or frogs. They can be small or large made of marble, stone or resin. Adding one or more award interest and whimsy to any garden size.
Stone Bench:
Place a bench in a garden or nearby and it is said immediately, “sit back, relax and enjoy.”
Choose materials from cedar, pine Metal, buy something new or scrounge around your attic or an old piece not to be used.
Birdbath:
A functional and decorative focal point. Most commonly seen birdbaths are shallow simple basins that sit on a pedestal, usually made of cement, porcelain or plastic. Mini versions are becoming popular for placing on patios and walkways.
Fountains:
Water is a necessity in the garden, so having a fountain seems natural. They provide a soothing sound and become a beautiful accent. The most common styles include wall mounted, free standing, single and multi-basin levels.
Birdhouses:
Found in nurseries, home improvement, discount stores and flea markets, it is probably the easiest accessories to add. They can be simple square wooden boxes for richly detailed versions, you can even try your hand at making your own.
Climb or hang on a tree, place on top of a pole or just sit one on an old bench or chair. If you also hope for them to take on tenants, be sure to check the dimensions of different bird species prefer certain sizes.
Two trees that sat behind the house, we attached simple rectangular wooden houses with entrance holes to small forward. Each spring, we were rewarded with two families of bluebirds make a beautiful home in these houses. Watching mom and dad first preparing the interior and small heads and then sneak the first flight was wonderful.
Sundials:
Here’s an accent that may be common, but has been around since early civilization. Of course, at first, their only purpose was to measure time. You can still mark time with them, but what a unique decorative accent they do in your garden.
Stepping Stones:
Another fun way to accessorize your garden. Even if you do not use them to walk on one or two placed among your plants look beautiful. Plain or decorated with a picture, choose what suites your garden.
I used simple colored stones around the terra-cotta colored flowers, light colored cement ones with embedded stones and pieces of broken glass that sparkle around shrubs. Around shrubs and flowers that attract butterflies or hummingbirds find stones with an impression on them to match the theme of the plant.
Whether a water feature developed a simple resin turtle or something just for fun, keep in mind is like dressing a room in your home. After all the key elements are in place the final touch is to embellish and personalize with decorative accents.
