Decorating with Garden Statues and Sculptures

My last blog on memorial gardens reminded me that I wanted to discuss garden "art".  I used quotes around art as there may be some difference of opinion about what constitutes tasteful lawn ornamentation.  I actually have very few items in the yard that are not plant related.  I have a brass sundial that I inherited from my parents, a couple of homemade stepping stones, birdbath, a catlike gargoyle, and a small angel head with wings.  I had purchased a small statute of St. Francis after one of my cats died unexpectedly and I was just overwhelmed with sudden grief.  But the bottom of the statue appears to be felted so I do not dare place him outside, so, instead, he protects the animals from the inside of the sun porch.

Please note, this is Not from my yard.

While I might have been tempted to pick up a pink flamingo at a yard sale and brazenly flaunt it in my front yard, I wouldn't really do it.  Same with the backside of the lady made out of wood that appears in county gardens along winding roads. I've inserted an image here as an example, but I've seen this "lady" in many different dresses and socks, and often without the gray haired bun. There are other items that are readily available from nurseries and gardening websites, ceramic frogs, ducks, gnomes, sleeping cats, etc.  And some are actually quite nice.  I think the key is to pick one or two tasteful items and strategically place them in your yard so that they stand out as items of interest and not trash talk from your neighbors (as in, how long before they throw that trash out?)


The St. Francis statute was not the only sentimental buy.  The catlike gargoyle came home with us when I became angry at the neighbors over a fence dispute (their fence, our land).  I purposely placed the gargoyle facing their house as an attempt to ward off their bad spirits.  Also, I like cats (obviously) and this was a rather cool looking gargoyle who adds a nice touch on the steps for Halloween, and with a neck wreath and bow is a perfect Christmas accent.  The birdbath comes inside in the winter as it may crack (not quite concrete, more like resin) in the cold, wet weather.  It is also important to bring in any ceramic pots in winter as they, too, might fill with water, freeze, and crack.