Garden Statues create focal points that help to develop your garden's personality. One of the things many gardeners skip over is developing a plan for their project but that is what makes so many public gardens look so polished. Along with the work that goes into them, they build on a plan so that this year's work becomes the base for next year's efforts. By not starting over each year, they are compounding the effect of what they are doing.
You can easily follow their lead. When you walk through your garden area, what feeling does it evoke? Is it just a place to grow some vegetables, or do you find it a relaxing place to destress after a long day? Some people actually create a space to meditate or relax. Others want a place to exercise or play with their family. Whatever your goal is, it becomes the basis for your garden plan.
Once you have figured out your basic goal for the spot, then you can dream about what would be nice to add to it. Don't think about how you are going to pay for anything, just think about what you would like to have in your garden. With those ideas in mind, think about the scale of your area. If you are working with a 10 by 20 foot area, you don't want to add a huge pool and swim house to your dream. Likewise, a huge garden statue would look grossly out of place. Such dreams are great as "wouldn't it be nice if..." but aren't going to help you develop a garden plan for your current space. Your mind will sabotage your effort to dream about the future of your planting area if you are too unrealistic.
Now, take that nebulous plan and turn it into something more concrete. Start a garden notebook or even a blog and describe what you would like your garden to look like when it is done. You can add sketches or use a grid and actually plan it out. I seem to do better simply describing it in words and adding pictures of things I like. Remember, this isn't what you are going to do this year. It's a basic plan that you will work on over time. It's not set in stone. You can change it as you find new things that you want to add. If your dream has a green hedge as a backdrop, start planting some young hedge plants in that spot. Over time they are going to grow into that marvelous hedge you envisioned. Was there a garden statue in your plan? If not, maybe it is something that you thought you couldn't afford so you discounted it.
Today's statues are made of many different materials and cover all price ranges. Adding one to your garden helps to establish the framework that started in your head. It gives you something touchable to build on. If you need one that's a little larger than you can afford, you can always install a smaller one on a pedestal or other base to give it substance. If you would like a water feature but don't want to get into plumbing, there are solar powered fountains that can be installed where it didn't use to be possible. With your garden overview in mind, it is fun to visit some garden sites to see what is available for today's garden. Watch for sales or let other's know what is on your wish list and you might be surprised how soon you can add a focal point to your favorite garden spot.
No comments:
Post a Comment