May, 2002
Source: Pioneer Press
Intrigue In The Garden
Spring is here! Before you put the trowel to the dirt, before you plan to use your usual annuals for those planting beds, consider creating something new, something intriguing in your garden. Here are three ways to create a new bit of interest.
Use the Garden
In your garden consider creating a small seating area with two bistro or cafe chairs and a table. This can be done just off a walk, or right in a planting bed. The seating area need take up no more than 4 x 5 feet and can be set in among low plantings to give the area a mature, purposeful look. Place a small pot of flowers on the table and there is an inviting little vignette in your garden. If the existing plantings won’t accommodate this, a single well placed chair or bench with a sizable pot for flowering plants beside it would also be a lovely addition.
Other beautiful focal points for you garden can be created with an antique urn, a birdbath or a small fountain. These can be easily nestled between taller flora and lower plants so that the view is yours to see from the window of your choice or your favorite outdoor seat.
Use A Wall
If there is a wall adjacent to your yard or garden like a wall of your house or garage, use it to your advantage. The options for a trellis are numerous and the styles range from Victorian to Arts & Crafts and Contemporary to Antique. A trellis itself can be so pretty that whether you can actually get a vine to grow on it is almost irrelevant. If the trellis idea is intimidating, there are a number of other options. Iron or steel stands provide height like a trellis but have holders for several small to medium size potted plants. Balustrade planters hang from a wall and will accommodate several potted flowers on a shelf or two, or there are many interesting wall hangers for hanging baskets to choose from, each of which would be a nice surprise each time you came upon it.
Use a Window
Is there anything more charming than a window box of cascading blossoms to greet the garden viewer? The brackets and the box itself are important to get right. Take your time selecting the brackets for the window box, the style, the material and, above all, the strength. Window boxes themselves come in a huge variety: ceramic, clay, copper, wood and plastic. Select a material that is appropriate for your home and will charm you all summer long.
Resources
If you want to get the selection process out of the way quickly, look through mail order catalogues such as Gardeners Eden and Smith & Hawkin. These catalogues have an abundance of beautiful, decorative garden products. Hunting for just the right piece can be a great deal of fun. Look for an architectural salvage dealer in your area or look at the quaint garden shop you’ve noticed but had no excuse to visit.
When you’ve finished, you will have added a bit of intrigue to your garden and enhanced the beauty of your home. Then sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy the view!