I am like every other garden designer – When it comes to other people’s gardens, I am really quite nosey!
One thing I like to do is nosey into people’s front gardens when I am on foot. I may peer through a hedge on a country lane and admire someone’s huge front garden and parking for 4 cars, or peek over a wall and look at what people squeeze into a Victorian front garden in the city.
Sometimes I experience some interesting, unique, quirky or amusing features and I thought I would write about them in a series of blogs.
Today I am highlighting gardens that many may raise an eyebrow at, but I admire greatly: ‘The ones with garden ornament’. I personally think, if someone goes to effort of placing garden ornament into their front garden it is because they either have a good sense of humour, love things quirky, are stalwarts to the tradition of garden ornament, or who just love people stopping and staring into their garden. As such I feel I need to spread the word about these gardens.
The following are a few gardens in my village. Not my personal style, but the owners love them! And as such I love them too.
Children everywhere love this garden. The animals are all set up in their groups, and there are gnomes galore! A real menagerie! And Christmas is a real treat here. Their house, garage and the front garden are covered in christmas lights throughout the festive season! Again, one to come and admire- and the children think it is the best. And I think it is the best too!
You can just make out my little daughter’s head at the bottom of the photo. She was mesmerised.
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We refer to this as Cat Pot. Cat Pot is mostly a sad affair. Either with weed, or empty. I have been tempted on many occasion to Guerrilla Garden this pot and add a plant! Maybe one day I will…..watch this space. Cat Pot may get a makeover!
This is one of the most vibrant front gardens in the village. It is always a kaleidoscope of colour and really cheers you up as you wander by. It is also full to the brim with various ornament. May not be to everyone’s style, but I love its quirkiness. And children love hunting out the various creatures.
This final one is my personal favourite. Im not sure what it is about this garden that I am drawn to. Is it the wild unkempt look to the front garden? Is it that the donkey actually looks really at home there. I mean, it really is a well placed piece of garden ornament. I don’t know. All I know is, I cross the road to walk past this house!
You may love a bit of garden ornament. We at Alitura are happy to incorporate your objets into your garden design. I currently have three old chimneys to place with a garden build that is currently taking place. It may be an ornament that is crying out to be a focal point; it may be a cheeky something that peeps out from behind some planting; it may hugely quirky and need a designers touch to allow it to perform, or it may be quiet and subtle and require sensitive placement. Whatever it is, we are sympathetic to the requirements of garden ornament within our designs. Just mention it when we meet you and we will ensure it is part of the garden design brief.
Coming soon in this series of blogs…more garden features.
