Choosing and placing a feature in your garden

In recent years I’ve found myself becoming more and more connected to and interested in garden art. I can only assume that as you age, you grow in confidence about the styles and mediums you favour and become fascinated by the process and artists who created them. It’s for this reason that I now understand why many people invest in something that speaks to them (not literally!).

There are those who have collections of art in their gardens of all various sizes and styles. This isn’t something I would recommend. A giant stone squirrel rubbing shoulders with a dwarf heron just doesn’t add anything but chaos to a garden. If you’re guilty of being a garden features hoarder, then can I suggest a cull? I can see how an eclectic collection might occur – some will have been gifts, others impulse purchases and some hand-me downs. If you were to add up the cost of the items collectively, you’d probably be surprised at their value. Spending a good amount of money, if budget allows, is something I would recommend. Finding your soul mate that will grace your garden for decades takes time. The best way to find your perfect match is to visit sculpture exhibitions and artists studios. The character of the artist is almost as important as the character of the piece. Remember that you’ll be sharing the story of how this purchase came about for years to come, so look for a good tale to tell.

In an ideal world you should have in mind where you want to place your feature before you go in search of it. Are you hoping to find something that adds humour, something that you want people to touch or sit on or in, or are you looking for an item that will add height and draw the eye down the garden? I personally love a feature that shocks and is spotted in an unexpected place in the garden.

Placing a feature in winter or spring is the ideal as you’ll be able to judge its effect in the naked seasons. Standing alone in a sleeping border your chosen piece might not work for you. Moving an item from season to season isn’t something I’d recommend! Before agreeing on its final resting place view from the house – upstairs and downstairs. You now need to set your piece. By this I mean, are you placing it on a plinth? Maintenance of the garden is a consideration. If a feature is placed on the lawn will it be awkward to mow around? Or if it’s placed up against a hedge how easy will it be to clip the hedging? When it comes to scale, go big. I offer this advice to those with large or small gardens. One giant, ornate pot makes a small plot seem bigger but if this is out of reach then grouping all your pots together can offer the same impressive impact. The pots in my garden come from Whichford Pottery in Warwickshire. They’re a pretty price but worth every penny. Even when empty they add a decorative touch to the garden. Guaranteed frost proof they can happily stay outside all year and once you’ve been to see the pots being thrown, you’ll have a strong connection with the values of the pot. I’m hoping that these pots will be passed down to the next generation in my family.

For longevity the type of material your feature is made from must be considered. Wood offers warmth and a close link to nature, but you’ll have to accept that it will change as it weathers. However, you might like this ever-evolving asset of your feature. Metal is a favourite of mine. As it ages and changes in colour it seems to grow into the garden and become in tune with the space. Those with children will need to consider how appropriate a feature might be for a family garden. Sharp feature and those that tempt children to climb on them might not be a wise move.

In 2017, I visited a sculpture exhibition in Herefordshire at Newport House. It was here that I discovered the endless possibilities that art offers to a garden. It was fascinating to see how fellow visitors reacted to the art. Some were horrified by features and the words ‘that’s not art’ were heard floating across the garden in waves. For me, the varied reactions were all part of the fun. Make sure what you choose provokes discussion and remember, you’ll never find anything that everyone will like – after all that would be very dull.

Features

Image I:

Features can be functional as well as fascinating. Richard Harris’ Birch hideaway offers an experience as well as a focal point.

Image II:

Walking Bulls by David Goff Eveleigh cleverly don’t disturb the view through the garden.

Image III:

If your budget won’t stretch to a piece of art, then invest in pots that add style to the plot. This is a collection from Whichford Pottery.

Image IIII:

Rising Form by Dominic Welch. The bronze is made to touch.

Image V:

Andrew Roache’s Lunar (owl) made of iron that will weather naturally.