Special to Road Trips for Gardeners
From Jackson and Perkins

Outdoor décor can turn a standard garden into a beautiful oasis that reflects your unique personality.

Many people think only of plants when they hear the word “garden,” but a garden can include so much more. With the right décor, it can become a space that’s private and relaxing, allowing an individual to escape into the beauty and peace of nature; a fun, exciting area ideal for entertaining friends and family; or anything in between.

Arbors, trellises, and obelisks are a beautifully elegant way to display vines and climbing plants, and depending on how and where they’re placed, can be great for creating a bit of privacy in a particular area. And when you’re deciding how best to exhibit your plants, there is an almost infinite number of planters from which to choose: a large variety of sizes; indoor or outdoor; self-watering; those of classic, artistic design or modern styles with clean, simple lines; any number of materials, from wood to copper to ceramic and more.

Water fountains create a soothing atmosphere anywhere they’re placed, the gentle sound of running water acting as relaxing background music that blends perfectly with bird song, the rustling of leaves in the wind, and all the other sounds of nature. Of course, wind chimes are another wonderful addition, bringing visual appeal as well as an array of lovely musical notes to the garden with each visiting breeze.

Fire pits and fire bowls are becoming increasingly popular, as more and more people are seeing them as the ideal focal point when designing a relaxing outdoor-entertaining area. There’s nothing like gently flickering flames to generate a sense of warmth, welcome, and camaraderie. On cold nights, they’re perfect for holding the chill at bay, and during warmer months, fire pits and bowls are great for creating natural, soothing light that brings everyone together.

Bird baths, houses, and feeders allow you to attract more wildlife to your garden, outdoor furniture is ideal for blending the comforts of your home with the beauty of the garden, and of course, lighting brings everything together and adds that wonderful finishing touch.

Happy gardening!

(Photo courtesy of Jackson and Perkins)