I’m not cheap but I can be had. For many years, I have collected “garden art.” I love bargains so I try to shop for items on sale, interesting trellises, arches, old pieces of wrought iron fence, garden stakes, and statues, especially cherubs.
This wrought iron obelisk was given to me as a Christmas present probably 25 years ago by my sister Angela. I’ve moved it around a few times. It used to live in one of my backyard flower beds and featured a beautiful Sunset clematis. I eventually moved the clematis to a large urn on one of my side patios where I could admire it every day.
This past spring, I decided to feature it in a large container and selected 
a beautiful white Mandevilla and just the right spot to plant. Transferring the Mandevilla from its plastic pot and small wooden trellis was not easy. I was careful to unravel the winding stems and then had to determine the best way to wind the stems around and through their new home. The Mandevilla wasn’t happy for a couple of weeks but not only did it survive, as you can see it is thriving!
Few flowers are made for an interesting trellis more so than the Queen of the Garden, Clematis. The only rule of thumb to remember for a climber, whether climbing roses or any other flowering vines, is their average height. Check the variety before selecting your trellis. She will need something to cling to!
Garden stakes are another favorite of mine. I like to blend the color of the stake with plants that best compliment the color of the flowers. For example, I have a beautiful weathered, rusty stake which I use with a container of orange Asiatic lilies, a bi-colored red and orange daylily and Red spread Lantana.
One of my favorite stakes features a blue glass insert near the top. 
I pair this one with one of my most treasured flowering plants, a Brazilian Princess flower or Tibouchina. I love how the blue compliments with the brilliant purple of these unique flowers.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my cherub statues. I have collected many over the years and love each one. I feel they act as guardian angels throughout my flower beds and containers. If you decide to feature a statue in an urn or other planter, I advise putting some stakes around the base to act as an anchor. I space out around three 8″ to 10″ dowel pins plunged into the soil surrounding the base of the statue, leaving them about two inches above the soil line. Once your flowers fill in, the tops of the stakes will be covered.
Tip: I save the dowel pins from orchids that I buy. When the orchids have come and gone, the dowel pins attached are the perfect cost-effective anchors.
Your neighbors will be staring (in a good way) when you add unique garden art and other collectibles to your landscaping. You are only limited by your imagination.
Please share your garden art treasures and inspire us! Send to [email protected] or share on facebook.com/nowhabersham.
