 | Concrete can do more than just pave your driveway and sidewalks. Concrete has lots of potential for any style garden—and its look is more versatile than you might expect. Also, the price tag on many concrete garden ornaments is far less than what you would pay for marble or granite items. This versatile material is also durable and likely to withstand a wide range of garden and landscape conditions. The following article discusses the many practical and decorative uses for concrete ornaments in the garden.
Concrete is comprised of three components: water, cement and aggregate. Aggregates may be such items as river rock, perlite, masonry sand, pea gravel, etc…Or, consider highly decorative aggregates like mother of pearl or tumbled stained glass. This mixture may be made at home and fashioned into various creations or such objects may be purchased online or at local garden centers. Either way, concrete items make for lasting garden props that may be adapted to your garden’s individual style.
Concrete is quite popular for garden walks. This may be a paved path similar to a sidewalk in nature or it may be something a bit more creative. Since concrete can be shaped and molded into almost whatever you desire, consider a creative pathway marked out by large concrete leaf shapes painted green. Even simple shapes can be enlarged for stepping stones that represent garden snails, butterflies, toadstools, birds, etc…These may be painted or left natural.
Concrete is an excellent material for your garden’s water features. From concrete pond bases to simple basins, concrete is an ideal material to choose. Many of the water features that are purchased online or from local garden centers today are made of concrete. Because concrete is so popular for its durability, there is a wide variety of water feature items to choose from. Birdbaths come in nearly every design imaginable. Also, consider free-standing and wall fountains. Basins may be large or small in nature and adapted for various types of fish or other garden wildlife.
Concrete makes for great planters too and these also sport many shapes, sizes and designs. From reproduction Roman column planters to smiling heads that sprout ornamental grasses, you can find just about anything to satisfy your unique garden style. Mosaic patterns may also be employed on wet concrete so this is another avenue for your artistic endeavors. Still, simple square patterns for porch planters or long rectangular ones for a section of the patio are other examples popular with gardeners and the simplicity of these designs will not detract from the beauty of the flora.
Although concrete furniture is not in vogue for the patio where visitors sit for long periods, it is useful for the construction of garden benches that may be situated throughout the landscape where visitors are likely to stroll. Water features especially are known to see small gatherings of guest so consider a few benches strategically places in the area.
Concrete is also great for garden statues and statuettes. Your water feature will be greatly enhanced by a concrete mermaid spouting a fountain of water. A grouping of classical water nymphs is perfect for a formal water garden. For a cottage style garden, consider small concrete animals such as rabbits, raccoons, mice, frogs, piglets or ducks for a real country feel to the garden.
Concrete may also be employed to build elaborate gateways in any style—from totem poles to Oriental dragons, concrete may be adapted to nearly any object. Concrete is also a great imitator so its faux objects may give you the look you want at an incredibly affordable cost. A large boulder for the center of your garden pond may be made of concrete and look quite natural. Concrete may be mixed to resemble expensive rock or painted to reflect some other more expensive material.
There are many other types of garden ornaments that may be made from concrete. Consider any of the following for your garden: garden markers to mark different flowers or vegetables, pedestals and pillars to hold basins and planters, decorative edgings for flowerbeds, wall art, abstract garden sculpture, retaining walls, sundials, patio ledges and many more.
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