No one seems quite sure where to post questions about garden ornaments such as fountains, gazing balls, birdbaths, statuary, waterfalls, sundials, etc. I have found postings for these in at least 7 different forums (including this one): Sources, Ponds & Aquatic Plants, Landscape Design, Greenhouse & Garden Structures, Garden & Flower Crafts, Favorites, and Book Reviews. Questions have included such topics as where to find them, building your own, maintaining them, protecting them, how or where best to use them, selecting them, etc. The problem is, when the questions end up scattered across so many forums (none of which really fit), it's harder to find and connect with someone who can answer your question.

In an attempt to remedy this problem, I posted a message on the Suggestions & Comments forum, proposing a forum for discussion of all kinds of garden ornamentation, but no one there has responded yet, perhaps because not many people visit the site. If you would be interested in a forum for garden ornamentation, please take a moment to go to the Suggestions & Comments forum and post a follow-up to the thread called "Fountains & Statuary? Garden Ornaments?", so that Spike can guage the level of interest in this topic and decide whether creating a separate forum for it would be justified. Thanks!

Good idea. I'd check it out every now and again to see what's on it.

I would like to see it. I need to know how to maintain a fountain. Do I need to put something in it to keep the moss from growing? How will this effect the birds?

Gay

Add one more interested in a fountain area.

Thanks

Tom F

I would be interested in hearing what type of "non-plant" items people have placed in their gardens. The "water feature" in my garden is an antique iron kettle which belonged to my step-father's family. It is at least 80 yrs. old. I put a small pump in it, which is resting on stacked bricks, to bring it almost up to water level, so it just makes a short bubbling spurt in the middle of the pot. I plant blue agapanthus around the bottom of it with annuals in front of them, and bush honeysuckle behind it to help hide the cord. I recently purchased a nicely rusted metal butterfly which is mounted on a narrow stake. It has places cut-out in the wings so that light penetrates it. It is a wonderful addition to my garden and I have had many nice comments on it. I also bought at an antique auction for $50.00, a large rooster weather vane, the type made for roof tops. I plan to add it to the garden as soon as my hubby figures out a way to mount it to a fence set post. I would love to hear what type of things other gardeners "accessorize" their gardens with.

I too am interested in this topic. I recently purchased a farm/barn cast iron piece of hardware (not sure what the official name is). I am told that it is approx 120 years old and was used in the hayloft for hoisting the bales of hay. Quite an interesting piece. Stuck it in the earth in the middle of my perrenial bed. Should have some morning glories growing around it soon. I also have a neat piece of driftwood from P.E.I. in another section of the bed.

I'm very interested in statuary, and other concrete ornamentation. I've found very little help in this area, even at public libraries. I've begun experimenting with various concrete designs, but as yet haven't found a good source for templates/molds for interesting pieces. A discussiong group on this subject would be most helpful!!!

I'd check out this site too. Information on ponds should really be kept separate though. After all, it's pretty easy to put in and maintain a piece of statuary; putting in and maintaining a pond is a whole different level of commitment!

Yes, count me in!

I just purchased a great little fountain that is made of a beige sandstone-like material. I suppose some bleach??would keep mildew out of it? Any other ideas? Thanks a bunch of flowers.

Fountains, Statuary, Gaz. Balls ......all of the above! you bet Im in

Sounds good! I just spent the evening searching for wind and water bells. Count me in.

p.s. Nance a little bleach will keep the algae down; there are also algacides in the aquarium section of pet stores that you can use. If it is outside, be prepared for birds to drink and bathe in it.

The "moss" you speak of getting into your fountains, is more than likely algae. Algae is fed by the sun. The best, and probably only, way to at least curb it's growth is to have your fountain in the shade.

I don't think bleach is a good idea in the fountain, since you will have birds, butterflies, etc. drinking from it... Nothing in the water is really best.

If you could make use of plants in the fountain, (no soil), like water lettuce, mints, water hiacynth, etc, they will also feed on the nutrients in the water, keeping the algae at bay.

Linda

Oops, forgot, YES, I'd love a statuary, fountains, etc. section for information! I'm a ponder, and always on the lookout for that special item to include in the gardens surrounding it. I've wanted a weather vane for a long time!! Linda

I am looking for instructions on how to make what I would describe as a globe shaped grapevine decoration, about the size of a baasketball. I saw it in a very formal English garden. All the vines where in a global shape with christmas lights in them hanging from trees as a decoration. Does anyone know how to make these? I can't get any information on them.

I would like this forum too. I've been looking for ideas on benches. I purchased one on clearance last fall and am planning on placing it in my gardens this spring. I already know where it will go; in front of some Red Twig Dogwood bushes and about 8 to 10 ft. away from my birdbath garden. (I like hot weather- the bench will be in the sun most of the day and have late afternoon shade.) I am confident that it will blend in with it's surroundings. I am interested in what others have used around their benches (flowers, containers, trellises, etc.) and what materials to set the bench on (flagstones, just grass, etc.)

What are some of your favorite ways to decorate your bench areas? Thanks for your ideas. Louise in Iowa

I too would love to incorporate garden ornaments into my garden. I have an iron and a wicker headboard that I got real cheap at a thrift store and would love some ideas on what to do with them.

I've always thought it would be fun to create a
"flower bed" using a real headboard and planting
flowers to resemble the pillows and bed spread. It
could either be free standing in the middle of a
grassy area or up against a structure such as a
garage. If it was next to a wall you could use other
yard art to complete the bedroom scene. (wall
hangings, old end tables with vases/containers filled with flowers, ground covers for an 'area rug', etc.)
Just a few of my "dreamy" ideas. Have fun in whatever you choose to do. ~Louise in Iowa

I am certainly interested in these subjects. Count me in. Lisa, how about a bed of roses? We have a goldfish pond with an old millstone in the center as the fountain. This thing is gorgeous but you wouldn't believe how heavy to move! Finally had someone that places headstones set it for us. I love funky things scattered all around my garden and am always on the lookout for original art for outdoors. Any suggestions on where to look?

I am 100% for this . Next summer,I am making a 3 meters
waterfall with 3 or 4 levels/basins and I need ideas.

Louise, did you happen to get to the Chicago Flower Show last March? They had a bed, cannopied to boot, all done in flowers and natural things. It was something else. I took a picture of it...if I can find it, I'd be happy to scan it and email it to anyone interested in seeing it. Cora Lea ~ in Iowa, too! :-)

Debra - Just thought I would mention there already is a forum for what you are wanting. It is "hidden" under the fancy term - "Garden Accoutrements". "Accoutrements" was a term I was not familiar with to start with, either. This includes garden ornamentation, statuary, stepping stones, fountains, etc. Perhaps you have already discovered it?

I was reading this thread, and was just going to mention the forum called, "Accoutrements" ...but Cora Lea just beat me to it!! It's in the GardenWeb forums listing. I was also going to suggest to nancethat if your, fountain pool isn't a large one, tip it upside down overnight once or twice a week. It will dry out, and the algae will easily come off with a quick hosing down!

I've enjoyed this and would like to see more of it. Its hard to tell where a person lives but I saw some of those water chimes in a couple of stores in the Salt Lake City area One at Thanksgiving Point and I can't remember the other other than telling my husband I want that. It's still at the store.
Have a good one
Sheila

Absolutely agree. Have found these items under many headings. Also there are fountains (what I was looking for) under crafts that are not listed here under search. So there is a "search" problem. There are some obtuse items (Learning French?) so this should certainly be a category.

Count me in also. I would love a forum for this!

Just found this today and I think it is a great idea.
We just bought a 25 acre farm and I am having fun creating a
seascape of sorts in my yard. I have concrete seagulls, pelicans of all sizes and a mermaid birdbath, I am making an island to put my working light house on and on that island i want a waterfall (cascading into an old tub buried in my island) which will eventually cascade into a bigger pond dug into the yard. At the entrance of my "tropical escape" are 3 staggering posts on each side with pelicans and seagulls. For an arbor I have real tall poles hooked to the posts and I draped a fish net across them (tied on the poles with fishing line) and then i got some of my seashells with holes in them and hung them from the net (you walk under the net to get into my "tropical escape". It is all coming together nicely and can't wait til it is complete (gee will that ever happen? always coming up with something new to add! LOL). Surrounding the tropical escape I have planted a variety of tall cannas and bordering the outside of that i have small "pier" posts with a rope draped and wrapped between them. I also have a boardwalk coming up to the back door of the house (the door everyone uses). This is so fun even though some people think I am nuts for creating this seascape up here in South Dakota! Who says my yard as to look like a farm yard just cuz we live in farm country! hehe

Lynn

Yes, yes!! Go to Garden Accoutrements Make a point to look at "Garden Junk"!

Watch the use of bleach! I found the safest thing to clean my bird baths with is good ole' plentiful SAND! The grit will cut the algae,and will not harm your birds. Try it is's DIRT CHEAP too! Ha! :)

Count me in too!!!!!!! I spend most of my free time looking for the garden 'stuff' and forgetting where I was the night before. There have been other forums that have requested this same thing, and I say GREAT.....but then I forgot where they were! Hope I remember to come back here. What I have been searching for for months! is a black scrolled gazing ball stand...I saw one in a catalog last summer and should have bought it as I haven't found it SINCE!!!!!!!

I just returned from Italy and have been going nuts trying to find a stone or concrete pinecone that is a very old clasic design...actually looks like an upside down acorn...but I was told they are pine cones...and you usually find them on eithe side of a driveway or garden entrance.

Any leads you have would be appreciated

Please create a forum for the exchange of cement casting and fountains . It has been very difficult tracking down "how to" informaton

Here is a link that might be useful: alligator in my flowers