It’s July. Firecrackers are popping, annuals are
blooming, perennials are planted and mulch is laid. Now is the time to do some regular
weeding and enjoy the lovely landscape you have created. Ahh, but wait!!! What about
ornamenting your garden? Nature is a wonderful thing, but surely a little manmade addition
would help create the mood you are looking for in your outdoor room.
Lawn ornaments- you either love them or hate them. They are now so
popular, that you have probably received one as a gift. Are they classy or tacky? Well,
that depends on your perception of art, as well as your sense of humor. Pink flamingos
have been around for over 50 years now. I remember them in the front lawns of newer houses
in our town. We lived in an old house, and my mother said they did not live in the yards
of old houses in the Midwest. They lived at race tracks in Florida. My daughter has always
loved them and has had one in her yard ever since she went to college. They even migrated
into her bathroom 5 years ago, and follow her to whatever state she is living in.
Saints are very popular. St. Francis, of course, seems to be in the
garden of many of my friends. He is the patron saint of animals. These friends are the
same people who complain about rabbits, ground hogs, and the chipmunks. This statue is
inviting the animals in, but my friend stands with shot gun at the ready. Makes no sense
to me.
St Fiacre, the patron saint of gardeners, is now easier to find.
According to legend, St Fiacre raised gardens where other mortals could not. His is the
statue I have in my garden. I admit to needing any help I can get. Another popular
religious statue is the Virgin Mary. Sometimes she can be found standing alone, but
usually is seen standing in a grotto.
Then come the animals. I want no real hedgehog in my flower bed, but
the cement one does just fine. There seem to be a lot of deer standing proud looking out
over the landscape in many larger gardens. These are the good deer. They don’t eat
everything in your garden. The other animals are the animated ones. I find these extremely
amusing. Little cartoon mice and ducks come to mind. The faster the wind blows, the faster
their little feet run. They don’t get anywhere; but some days, I don’t either.
What I am trying to convey is that you have created a place in your world that you want
to enjoy. If you want to ornament it with something to make you giggle or guffaw — do
it. If you prefer a quiet spot at the end of your busy day, a more serene piece of
statuary can accomplish that as well. It is your garden. Enjoy it.