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On Living: Add some eye candy to
the greenery with statues, sculptures and
more
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| Garden Sculpture by Barbara Sanderson |
Carole
Beers
For most gardeners,
plants are the show -- and, this time of year, the
showstoppers.
Yet garden art, whether whimsical figures, abstract
sculptures or colorful containers, can add drama that enchants the
eye.
Tasteful ornamentation is what author Debra Prinzing (``The
Abundant Garden'') calls a hallmark of horticultural
magic.
``Plants should play a leading role,'' she says, ``(but)
with ornamentation ... as the supporting cast.''
Think of a
translucent, aqua-glass birdbath in a rusted-steel frame against
honey-toned feather grass.
Of a pale driftwood bench against gold
Japanese-maples.
Of a stained-glass window hanging from a tree
limb and reflecting the blues, whites and violets of a chapel-like
glade.
It's effective to place garden art along or at the end of
a ``natural'' sight line. When you look from your deck, or come
around a corner of the house, where does your eye look first? That
opposite, diagonal corner is a good place for the art, or any focal
point.
Try it here and there, see what works best. Just avoid a
cluttered look.
Once placed, art can be highlighted with lights
at night. This is especially pleasant if the piece(s) can be viewed
from inside the house, expanding apparent space and style.
For
ideas, visit a garden center. Bassetti's is having a plant and
garden art sale this weekend. And Molbak's in Woodinville, Windmill
Gardens in Sumner and Swanson's Nursery in north Seattle carry
original as well as unusual manufactured art.
Or take a summer
garden tour -- there are several this weekend (check the Home &
Garden Calendar on Page 14).
A touch of garden art, thoughtfully
placed, can lift a merely pretty bed or border above the
ordinary.
11TH ANNUAL GARDEN ART SHOW AND PLANT SALE
* Open 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
* Bassetti's Crooked Arbor
Gardens, 18512 N.E. 165th St., Woodinville
* 425-788-6767
*
Admission is free
Last modified: June 23. 2005
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