Sculptures and ornaments add style to a garden

Take a stroll through any garden and you'll likely find that it isn't limited to flowers, shrubs, and trees. Somewhere in the landscape, whether it is prominently displayed or hiding amidst some foliage, you'll probably find a sculpture, bench, or other garden ornament.

These pieces can enhance the natural beauty of a garden and give it a central theme. When thinking about what artwork or ornaments you'll add around the home, however, it's important to plan out where they will go and how they will appear.

There's no shortage of items to choose from when it comes to garden ornaments. Options range from garden gnomes and simple light catchers to towering works of abstract art. Many homeowners have also experimented with everyday items, turning things such as bicycles or pianos into planters or garden features.

Choose a sculpture or ornament that appeals to you, but also look for something that will fit well with your garden's theme. Khara Dizmon, writing for Garden Design, says one example would be a Buddha statue to complement a Japanese garden. Jeff Stafford, writing for HGTV, says you should look for something that not only fits well with your garden's style, but also a piece that reflects the style of your home's interior.

Decide the best location for a sculpture or ornament to be located. Smaller pieces are usually hidden among floral features to provide a delightful surprise for garden visitors. Larger works, however, are meant to be used as focal points. Abstract sculptures can be particularly effective, as their appearance will differ when viewed from different angles.

Your preferred location may also allow you to see the sculpture from inside the home. John Brown, a British sculpture, says you may want to place the piece in an area where you'll be able to enjoy it from a certain room. For example, placing an ornament within view of the kitchen may allow you to see it while washing dishes.

Containers such as pots and urns will work well in a variety of locations. Kate Karam, writing for This Old House, says they can be mixed in with border plants, used with trailing plants on walls or in corners, or added to a pathway or alongside a home's entrance.

Decide how many sculptures or ornaments will be located in one area. Eve Thryrum, writing for Fine Gardening, says a simple design is usually best, with pieces placed singly. However, groups of sculptures can work well if there is a uniting factor such as a common color, design, or material.

While large items will become a permanent part of the garden design, you'll have more flexibility with smaller ones. There's no reason an easily portable ornament can't be moved from place to place, letting you change the look of your garden every now and then.

The size of a piece should be appropriate for your garden. An enormous sculpture can overwhelm a more diminutive space, while an undersized ornament probably won't have the desired effect of creating a focal point. Placing a pile of objects in your preferred location, or even having a friend mimic the appearance of a classical statue, can let you see how objects of a given size will appear.

The materials used in a sculpture or ornament will be an important long-term consideration. Aluminum or stainless steel are durable and better able to stand up to the rain and other natural elements. Stafford says other metals will remain visually interesting because they'll develop a patina over time.

Wooden materials are more likely to wear out quickly due to exposure. Brown says any stone sculptures should be suitable for outdoor display. Rainwater can penetrate some types of stone, causing damage when it freezes.

Make sure a piece will be stable and secure, especially if it is so heavy that it presents a potential safety hazard. Karam says adding a paving stone or crushed gravel underneath a pot or other ornament will prevent it from sinking into the ground or developing an uneven angle. Stafford says sculptures should be placed on level ground, and may need to be supported by a poured concrete base.

Decide if a piece needs any extra accentuation. Dizmon says you might consider outdoor lighting to illuminate a sculpture in the evening.

While sculptures and ornaments designed for outdoor use often require minimal maintenance, you may need to take some steps to keep them in good condition. Dennis Gaffney, writing for the PBS program Antiques Roadshow, says water should be removed from any outdoor features before the winter to prevent damage from occurring when freezing temperatures arrive.

If rust occurs on a metal sculpture, you can remove it with a wire brush and then add a coat of paint to conceal it. You can also add wax to the sculpture to preserve its appearance.

Mildew, moss, and other organic material can be scrubbed away using water and a mild detergent. Avoid using bleach on stonework, as the chemicals can damage the material.