As well as helping you to care for your garden, grow bright blooms, and produce delicious vegetables and herbs, here at lovethegarden.com we also enjoy discussing garden design projects.
The garden is simultaneously a private and social spot that can burst aesthetically with colour and shape. As well as being visually stimulating, the garden can be a treat for all the senses - a place where you can take in sweet floral aromas, be surrounding by a vast variety of textures, taste freshly grown food, and witness the sounds of nature passing you by. Art stimulates the senses and adds character to your own outdoors space. If you can’t be creative in the garden where can you?
Our advice on getting started…
Art by definition is ‘the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.’ Therefore, art is both personal and expressive. Art is creative, passionate, and subjective and should resonate with its viewer. Art by nature is whatever you make of it. As with anything, to begin with you must first have an idea. Plan what you would like to achieve and how you best to implement you vision – even if just in your head.
Work with what you have, in terms of space, material, and location, and build up. Art can be created using most materials, have a peak around for any stone, wood, glass etc that you can use should inspiration hit. However, do remember to ensure the material is weather protected to ensure longevity. Also, remember to ensure than when installing your art you do so in a safe manner – especially when dealing with heavy materials such as stone.
Our pick of inspirational ideas
Water sculpture
A water sculpture beautifully combines the visual with the audible. This calming combination perfectly generates an element of Zen to any garden, perfect for those long summer days. If you choose to build or install a water feature you can choose a low-key design or an extravagant one depending on your vision, for example a few simply stone slabs can be installed above a pond area to create a waterfall feature.
Greenery
Why not add a twist to usual garden features? Garden sculptures can be made out of your garden greenery. If you are an artistic soul, why not carve shrubbery into a shape of your choice? Of course, this will require upkeep, however it does mean that the feature can be changed to your heart’s content due to the material being non-permanent. Or, perhaps grow your herb garden in a way that draws contrast between the colours to create a visually pleasing pattern. Both are an easy way to add creativity and a personal touch to a garden space in a resourceful way.
Statues
An obviously garden addition in a stone statue. Garden statues can be purchased from your local garden centre and can be a simple way to add art to your garden with very little work. Whether you choose a small; bird feed or go for a larger statement piece is up to you. Make sure to care properly for your additions, and consider coating painted statues in a suitable seal to protect against Mother Nature.
Fire pit using fire glass
We have spoken previously about the benefits of fire pits, and how they can create a social atmosphere within any garden landscape. Cosy and inviting, a fire pit can exist as a beautiful centrepiece in the simplest of gardens. Tip: Fire glass produced a greater level of heat than wood and is also more environmentally friendly, producing no smoke or ash, and remaining odourless.
Mosaic
A mosaic can add a beautiful morocco inspired element to your outdoor haven. Mosaic can be personalised to your own taste and can be as subtle or bold as you desire. Perfect for pathways, walls and garden steps, mosaic can add a burst of colour to your garden. Use whatever suitable material you can find -glass is perfect for creating a sense of space in a garden area, while reflecting light. Tip: Use a cake tin to create custom mosaic topped stones.
Whether you chose a statement art feature or a combination, remember you have lush greenery, glowing outdoor lighting, calming water features, and so much more to pick from in creating your own Backyard oasis.
