Garden accents

My garden is a fickle friend. In turns intensely giving, as now when I can see my rhododendrons in full purple glory, and then intensely selfish come November when it closes in on itself, depriving me of the beauty I've grown accustomed to. But as steady as a mother's love, garden accents lend a sense of permanence to fleeting green and floral landscapes. A well-placed fountain, birdbath, or classic statue has the ability to transform an ordinary garden into an outdoor living room. And, the best part is, these elements lend their beauty and grace to the landscape all year long; never wavering in their devotion.

Selecting garden accents

Choosing appropriate garden accents is very much like choosing the right accessories for interiors. With an unlimited number of options - bird houses, bird baths, iron ornament, sculpture, gate, trellis, obelisks, Victorian gazing balls, mirror, and urns just to name a few - the task can be daunting. Fortunately, many of the same design principals that apply to indoor decorating apply to outdoor decorating; making the process more manageable.

First of all, an accessory by definition should act to support and strengthen the design of a space. In the garden, that means highlighting or complimenting plantings rather than upstaging them. Widow's walk might be used to edge a curvaceous bed of ground cover for instance, or a pair of formal busts will flank the entrance to a grand pathway. In addition, the selection depends heavily on the overall mood and style of the garden. Traditional gardens benefit from symmetrical pairings such as matching stone urns planted with tapered evergreens, while more casual, country gardens are suited to mismatched terracotta pots, overflowing with colour. Garden statues depicting heroes of Greek and Roman culture and mythology work wonderfully well in formal gardens. On a smaller scale a sculpture of a favourite animal such as a fish, frog, or squirrel (if you have tulips this is not your favourite animal!) are more casual and relaxing. There are many excellent books on garden design that can help the do-it-yourselfer define and create the right mood.

Along with selection, of course, it's important to establish the location of various accessories. Remember their role is to highlight or complement plantings. Spend some quiet time in the garden, sitting in prime locations. From the patio, for example, you'll want to enjoy a pleasing vista. Placing an arch in the distance draws the eye deep into the garden. Do you have a view of the garden from the kitchen window? If so, you may want a bird bath or hummingbird feeder in sight so you can enjoy nature's activities. Views from the living room or dining room are important in the summer and the winter. These are prime locations for statues, sculptures, and urns. A large piece of statuary creates a strong focal point - a small piece can be partially hidden under some branches or discreetly tucked into a niche as a whimsical surprise. A garden statue can be raised on a plinth or set in a fountain for a more dramatic effect.

Look for accessories that serve more than one function as well. An intricate wrought iron gate might act as a divider between distinct areas of the garden (herb garden and cutting garden) but it also offers sculptural impact during winter months when the garden is dormant.

Used judiciously, the right garden accent can be intensely practical as well. An ugly air conditioning unit all but disappears behind a screen of trellis planted with flowering vines. A sculpture creates interest in a shade portion of the garden where other plants won't grow.

Here are a couple of books I find helpful when designing with garden accessories.

• Garden Accessories, Designing with collectibles, planters, fountains, & more. By Teri Dunn. Friedman/Fairfax Publishers.
• Garden Details, Accents, ornaments, and finishing touches for the garden. By Warren Schultz and Carol Spier. Metro Books Publishers.