Glamorous Gardens

5  Found Objects
Driftwood collected from the banks of a lake or river is a terrific garden accessory. Placed under trees, alongside pathways, or wherever you please, it becomes a unique, natural sculpture. Small driftwood pieces also belong on the deck and patio, used in table arrangements or clustered on the ground with other objects to create a sculptural collection. One of the best of these I’ve seen involved a lovely piece of driftwood, a small clay bowl of coleus, a gourd, a sparkly flat rock, and an old blue bowling ball, artfully arranged together.

Antiques and garage sale finds can make great garden accents, ranging from elegant to quirky. Paging through garden magazines, it won’t take long before you’ll see a picture of the classic garden “bed” made from an old metal headboard and baseboard stuck into the ground with flowers growing between them. It may be old hat today, but it’s the right way to think. Never dismiss an item you spy at the dump, antiques shop, or garage sale before asking yourself, “How would that look hanging from my fence?”

6  Fountains
The quest for water in the garden has led to a great expansion of the sizes and styles of self-contained fountains available. The reason to include a fountain in your garden is to provide sound and sight, in that order, so remember to buy something that makes a nice splash. Formal tiered fountains, statuary fountains, and other traditional styles have been joined by slate and marble sheet fountains, drilled boulder fountains, and copper sculpture fountains. You’re buying art, so pick a fountain you like, and place it where the soothing sound it creates can be heard from your favorite outdoor seating area (or through the open bedroom window).

And as with interior design, every now and then it’s good to rearrange the furniture. Try your bench in a new spot with a different view. Or shift the birdbath to the front yard. You can’t move your trees, so have some fun with your garden accessories.

Reach Don Engebretson through his website renegadegardener.com.