Alligator stepping stones and a mannequin in the flower bed—playful design ideas for your garden
Building a garden is also about play and self-expression. Yard decorations complete the design. Get creative!
1. A new life for a mannequin
Summer bleeding heart makes a charming backdrop for this mosaic maiden. The garden owner made the ornament using a mannequin found at a thrift store. If you make your own yard decorations, consider your choice of materials: do they need to withstand frost, or will you bring them indoors for winter?
2. A more ornamental trellis arch
Handcrafted birdhouses give this trellis arch a playful look. Even though the birdhouses are adorned with detailed decorations, they don’t stand out too much thanks to their neutral color scheme.
3. A safe watering spot
In this mini-garden, the plants have been chosen with pollinators and other insects in mind. The same idea applies to the water feature: from a bowl adorned with pretty stones, insects can drink safely without the risk of falling in.
4. Dare to step on this?
The most whimsical yard ornaments are the ones that feature an element of surprise. Here, an iron alligator is placed at the entry of the outbuilding. The owners originally purchased this piece in Sweden.
5. A space divider that jingles
The owners of this yard love to experiment with decorations. They have created a wall from rebar mesh to display their collection of small bells, all found at flea markets. There is a similar wall in the garden featuring heart ornaments.
6. An endearing combination
Garden ornaments look best when they somehow converse with the surrounding plants. The angel perched on a plum tree stump appears to be wrapped in the leaves of a climbing hydrangea.
