Garden Ornaments - the personal touch

When you have a big garden you need more than great plants and design, especially if you want to make it interesting for visitors. In saying that, even in a small garden, it's the quirky things we place lovingly in odd nooks and crannies that personalise our gardens to us. Some people feel the need to pop frogs or gnomes all over the place, or more recently Buddhas in their Spiritual Balinese scapes.

I'm no different when it comes to whimsy and I confess - statues. Often it can be a fine line between careful artistic placement, and an obsession! I once went to a house that was covered in shells - over walls, pots, paths, even the fountain, urgh!! There is also a large property near me that I call the 'Watchers House' cause it's got wayyy tooo many life sized statues - It's down right creepy!

 Only a few years ago, everyone was obsessed with water features. Every garden had to have one, and when they cracked or leaked or went murky green, well, they generally got turned into mini gardens for succulents! And lets not forget those colourful glazed spheres with water gently cascading over the ball, drying out on a hot day and running the tiny pump motor dry. I'm all for a tasteful pond or fountain in the right setting, they add great appeal, it's just that, not EVERY garden needs one.

Like choosing plants and pavers and yes, water features, garden ornaments speak loudly of your own personal taste and style. Soooo, I'm going to show you some of mine. Just don't judge me too harshly.