How to Add Whimsy to Your Garden

Ok, so you have the plants picked out, the hardscape in place, and even some evening lighting, but you still feel something is missing from your garden. Chances are, it’s a little bit o’ character, and a smile! The garden is meant to be a soothing place, but we must never forget, it’s also about affirming life. And what is life without laughter and fun? Learn how to add whimsy to your garden to take away the boring blahs, and to make your garden a place people want to come back to. Keep in mind though, adding whimsy to your garden is like anything else in life… it’s all about balance. While we love a smirking smile on our garden visitors, we try to steer away from things that are over the top cutesy. But honestly, whimsy means different things to different people. It’s your garden! If you want ten pink flamingoes, well then… ahem… go for it!

Here is some inspiration for you to get you started making your outdoor space a place of whimsy. (No flamingoes on our list, though!)

Our feature photo above, is from ‘Interiorholic’. This “spilled” flower pot is the perfect touch of make believe, with the blue lobelia spilling out the idea of rushing water. Easy instructions on how to make this work in your garden!

From ‘Crafts by Amanda’, this watering can that pours out crystals is a really clever take on whimsy… This is simply old chandelier crystals attached with a piece of wire. Longer crystals could also create sounds in the wind, like chimes. Loving’ this!

So I love this idea from ‘Jennifer Rizzo‘… These are just vintage teacups hung from sisal twine in a tree. What about vintage flatware? I can just hear these clinking in a summer breeze, too!

From Kathy Hutchison at ‘Picasa’, this whimsical lawn shape doesn’t take any more than the desire to make it! Use a sharp garden knife to cut through the sod to make your shape, then peel away the sod on the outside. Keep well watered until roots on the edge of the sculpted sod take good root.

‘Earth Shapers‘ created this pebble mosaic for a walkway instead of just plain concrete… I would sure rather walk up this path!

‘Lin Wellford‘ is a rock painter who made these simple stepping stones into a charming point in the garden. You could do something simpler, or just make the occasional stone a painted one.

You can easily purchase whimsical garden art, like these beaded sting stakes from ‘Gardener’s Supply‘. Just remember here, it easy to get too cute, so make sure you want to be known around the neighborhood as “the lady with all the smiling frogs”, or “that family who loves gnomes” before you go crazy with it!

Another choice from ‘Gardeners’, this LED fairy dust ball is a cool way to add whimsy for your night time garden!

‘Judy Sturman‘ created this pink tricycle planter from an old trike, some spray paint, and wired on some old planter pots. This is so vintage whimsical!

Etsy is a great place to find whimsical garden art… ‘ToriArt’ made these abstract garden art stakes that would take no effort to install in your garden, but looks like “The Good Ship Lollipop” to me!

Last, these garden art plant sticks from ‘AllegraArt‘ can bring a little happy color and form to any corner of your outdoor space. So add some whimsy to your garden!

Image Credits: Interiorholic, Crafts by Amanda, Jennifer Rizzo, Kathy Hutchison / Picasa, Earth Shapers, Lin Wellford, Gardeners Supply, Gardeners Supply, Judy Sturman, ToriArt, AllegraArt

Original article and pictures take http://www.thegardenglove.com/how-to-add-whimsy-to-your-garden/ site