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50 Best Garden Ornaments for a Whimsical and Lively Garden
From planters to statuary, these eye-catching accents are just as functional as they are beautiful.
By Dayle Wood
There is nothing quite as picturesque in the garden as a well-sited urn teeming with flowers and trailing vines or a weathered, moss-covered statue triumphantly posed on a pedestal holding court along a path. More than just a decorative element, garden ornaments such as these serve many important purposes. They work as a sort of punctuation mark or focal point amid the wildness of their natural surroundings. Whether placed at the end of an allée of trees or dotting a majestic garden path, ornaments create an emphasis and accent by drawing the eye up from the ground and in a particular direction. They tell you where to look in the garden and also how to move through it (there’s something about a hint of a statue or a cleverly placed bench in the distance that beckons one closer and invites exploring).
From an aged stone basin centered in a parterre to a charming turtle statue peeking out from under woodland plant growth, ornaments bring a note of surprise to the garden. Imagine wandering down a meandering meadow path and happening upon a stately statue or an idyllic garden seat under a portico—there’s a magic to the unexpectedness and a sense of discovery that they bring. They can also lend a sense of architecture, height, and scale to the garden that will last throughout the seasons.
But it's not all just decoration. Garden ornaments can have specific functions, too, that range from training flowering vines to grow (obelisks and tuteurs) to telling the time (sundials) and providing a place for repose and contemplation (garden benches). Urns, pots, and planters—great homes for flowers, herbs, even vegetables—also have vital uses as garden containers as they allow for plantings to be easily moved around, such as indoors for the winter or to just change up the look of your garden, for example.
Whether on the hunt for a beautiful outdoor fountain to situate within boxwood hedges or for a simple birdhouse to accent a copse of trees, read on to discover 50 of the most charming garden ornaments that are sure to enhance any outdoor space.
Inspired by his own fascination with astronomy, David Harber's armillary sphere use engineered hoops of brass, bronze, and steel to trace the ancient celestial longitudes and latitudes.
Negarden's Italian Carrera marble panels depicting carved grapes and wheat sheaths would look stunning framing a water fountain.
Welcome flying friends into your verdant escape with an intricately carved French pagoda thought to be from the 1800s.
Feel free to unplug and enjoy your lush outdoor space with the help of a handy outdoor clock to help you keep track of time.
Chairish English Garden Stone Mushroom
Lean into the charms of cottagecore with a quirky mushroom ornament from 20th-century England.
Campo de Fiori Small Bird Topiary Trellis
Designed to be situated in a pot or planter, Campo de Fiori's Small Bird topiary trellis adds height to a container garden.
Pennoyer Newman Classic Urn
Whether planted with boxwood or agave, the simple, refined shape of Pennoyer Newman's Classic Urn complements any garden.
Haddonstone Baluster Sundial Plinth
Haddonstone's distinctive Baluster sundial plinth makes for an attractive centerpiece in a parterre garden or when situated on a garden path.
Seibert & Rice Rolled Rim Vase with Rosette
Handcrafted in Impruneta, Italy, the terra-cotta Rolled Rim vase by Seibert & Rice brings a laid-back Tuscan style to the garden.
Pennoyer Newman's statement-making Obelisk was modeled on a 20th-century iron original.
Campo de Fiori Aged Small Turtle
The delightful Aged Small Turtle statue from Campo de Fiori is a treasure to happen upon on a woodland garden path or nestled among ferns.
The Willow garden obelisk from Terrain, crafted of rustic willow branches, is ideal for supporting climbing plants and vines in a country garden.
Pennoyer Newman Pineapple Finial
Position a pair of Pennoyer Newman's Pineapple finials on a staircase or flanking a doorway as a welcoming sign for guests.
Haddonstone's Rhubarb forcer, meant to improve rhubarb cultivation, is a charming addition to any potager.
Plow & Hearth Steel Garden Obelisks and Basket Planter
The steel garden obelisks from Plow & Hearth lends visual interest and structure within a colorful border garden.
With its classic lines and shape made out of fiberclay, the Faux Lead planter from Mecox is lightweight and easy to move around the garden.
Pennoyer Newman Lion's Head with Spout
Pennoyer Newman's Lion's Head fixture can be employed as a decorative wall mount or as a water spout over a fountain or trough.
Viva Terra Swiss Chalet Birdhouse
A stylish home for everything from wrens to nuthatches, the Swiss Chalet birdhouse from Viva Terra features a mango hardwood frame and a verdigris copper shingled roof.
Haddonstone The Gardener Statue
Based on an 18th-century English piece, Haddonstone's handsome Gardener statue will age and weather beautifully over time.
Campania International Concrete Jensen Fountain
The tiered Concrete Jensen fountain by Campania International adds the soothing sound of trickling water to a shade garden or city terrace.
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