 | Planning your garden can be a simple affair of colorful blooms and ornamental grasses but why stop there when you can create a theme to make it as unique as you are? Since the explosion of garden accents and products, themed gardens have been gaining in popularity amongst novice and seasoned gardeners.
Think Theme
If you're contemplating a theme for your gardening, take some time to determine what your theme will be? Most themed gardens are a collection of accents and plants that strike a chord with the gardener who view their green space as a reflection and extension of themselves.
Some of the more popular themes include butterflies, dragonflies, gargoyles, and elves. Themes could also include color-coordinated plants, specific flower groupings, décor accents, or a combination of all. The key to making a theme work is to have the right balance of contrast and texture to give the garden character and harmony.
Deciding on a theme doesn't have to be a mind-boggling exercise. Visit your local nursery for ideas of what kind of accents, plants, and foliage you prefer. Visit your library and look through gardening books and magazines or take a garden tour if possible to get some ideas.
Your favorite gardening store should have a variety of gardening accents to choose from. Stepping stones and wall plaques are great accents for any theme. Position stepping stones to guide visitors through your garden or situate stepping stones within your flowerbeds. Wall plaques are useful for pulling a theme from one area of the garden to another. They can be hung on the walls of your house, deck, or fence. Consider buying more than one and arranging them in a group setting for maximum effect.
The Whimsical Theme
Gardens adorned with statues of fairies, angels, and cherubs are a popular choice if you are going for the whimsical feel. Select continuous blooming flowers that will grow to at least 6-12 inches tall and big leafy foliage like hostas. Select statues and accents of varying heights and nestle them amongst the blooms. Another idea is to designate a specific area for your themed related pieces. Make use of rocks and logs to spotlight your favorites and give the garden some depth.
Your Favorite Insect
Butterflies and Dragonflies make great accents for themed gardens. Insect inspired pieces are available in stepping stones, wall plaques, wall hangings and decorated container pieces. For the greatest effect, stick to a single insect theme and use it in a variety of mediums included hand-painted rocks and containers.
Decorating with Metals and Textures
Garden accents in the form of unique pots, planters and containers are available in tin, copper, ceramic, wooden, pewter, resin and wrought iron. The combination of these metals adds a striking contrast to a garden rich in leafy plants, ornamental grasses, and showy, colorful blooms.
Start by selecting a variety of containers in different metals and different sizes. Pick an area of your garden and decide whether you want the containers to occupy space with bedded blooms and foliage or have a corner strictly for themed pieces. Stagger the height of the containers by using rocks, logs, and risers if necessary. Create a focal point with a large container overflowing with cascading blooms and ivy. Place small containers around your focal point. If possible, incorporate a collection of river rocks to give your garden an earthy, natural feel.
A themed garden can be compromised of more than one theme. A butterfly theme can easily be incorporated into a garden adorned with metals and textures if the butterfly accents are limited to one type such as stepping stones. A color or plant theme can add dimension and variety to any theme; choose one color or select a few to enhance your existing theme.
Next time you are thinking up ways to spruce up your garden, consider adding a theme to your existing gardening efforts. Adding a theme to your garden is an effective way to showcase your personal style in your outdoor space.
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