Garden statues are a wonderful way to add dimension and detail to a garden of any size. Traditional for thousands of years, sculptures and statues create a touch of elegance, whimsy, or personal style to an already flora-filled wonderland. Whether setting the tone for a new garden or serving as the finishing touch on a masterpiece, garden statues may soon become as much a part of the scenery as any growing thing.
Some people choose garden statues that have a religious or spiritual meaning. Statues of saints, mythological figures, or deities can help create a restful and reflective garden space. Like most garden statues, it is easy to find resin or cement versions of statues at gardening or home supply stores. Some people may choose to seek more authentic versions by contacting traditional craftsmen to create spiritually-inspired statues in order to ensure that the spiritual beliefs surrounding the representation are respectful and correct. While traditionally created versions may be more expensive than replica ones, people often find great emotional and spiritual value in having garden statues that truly represent a belief system and history.
Many garden statues are designed to bring an aura of fantasy and whimsy to a garden space. Gnomes, oversized mushrooms, fairies, and even reflecting balls are all popular figures for this type of garden decorating. Throughout history, many European cultures believed that spirits and fairies visited their gardens and yards, causing mischief or offering gifts; much of the whimsical statuary today descends from those beliefs. Gnomes are often seen as guardian statues, keeping out mischief-makers by letting them know that the garden already has a gnome.
Garden statues can be used to attract living creatures to visit a garden or yard. Many water features, such as wall fountains and bird baths, can be a draw to visiting birds. Seeing a charming little sparrow fluff its feathers and spray water about is a great reward for those who choose to invest in a bird bath. Bird feeders can also attract neighborhood critters to stop by for a bite; be warned, these can also attract squirrels and rodents to snack as well.
Representations of animals are popular forms of garden statues. Nearly every type of animal imaginable can be found in one form of statuary or another. While many enjoy stone or wood carvings of small woodland creatures like bunnies and foxes, others may turn their gardens into virtual menageries, complete with soaring metal giraffes and drinking elephants. Animal representations are very important to many Native American cultures, as clans or families often featured totem animals that represented the qualities of the family and serve as guardians.
Garden statues can easily be found at home supply stores, craft fairs, nurseries, or even online. Common materials for statues include stone and cement, so be careful when ordering as shipping prices can be extremely high. A garden statue can stand as a centerpiece, an accent, or even a tucked-away secret surprise for adventurous garden wanderers. Even investing in inexpensive resin statues can add beauty, personality, and possibly a little mythical protection to even the most humble garden.
