9 Ways to Add Whimsy and Interest to Your Garden

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Last update on August 9 , 2023

call for a petty # gardeninspo ? Read along for 9 originative ways to add personality , flair , and interest to your garden . These ideas will help to elevate the appearance of your yard , and perhaps more importantly , how it feelsto be in it !

A raised bed garden at dusk, there are arch trellises on a number of the beds which are lined with twinkle lights which are lighting up the area. Solar powered tiki torches are also set in various raised beds throughout the space.

Close your center and picture a succulent garden at sunset . As the last rays of sun kiss the colorful plants , waver tiki woolly mullein start out to crystallize one - by - one as a water fountain babbles softly nearby . garden can be downright magical . Along with bountiful food , flowers , home ground , and beauty , they ’re capable of providing immense joy and peace – particularly if you make a trivial elbow grease to heighten your space beyond the basics!It ’s fourth dimension to make your ownparadise at home .

I should in all probability remark that I ’m not a professional landscape clothes designer , but our gardens always have sizable panache and beauty ! Also , the tips we ’ll explore today can be apply toany size garden . You ’ll seeplenty of photosof both modest and expectant spaces below . We spent many years curating the gardens at our old ⅕ acre urban homestead ; it was overflowing with magical spell by the time we moved away ! We ’re still ferment on weaving the notion into our big brand name unexampled garden … slowly but surely .

HOW TO ADD INTEREST TO YOUR GARDEN

1) Mix Textures, Materials & Shapes

utilize a assortment ofplant texture , ground covering and hardscaping materialsto create balance in your garden . For instance , I wish to integrate slew lines , round stone , large boulders , tree stumps or interesting branches , potted plant and wine drum plantation owner into our landscape painting tosoften the spaceand cancel the hard angles created by our orthogonal raised garden beds and pavers . I also feel using a combination of crushed rock and barque or wood chip ( nearby , but not together ) create a prissy blend of hick and modern . inspect your local bulk landscape supply company to see what materials they offer .

represent with pinnacle and add together interest to your garden by mixing acombination of raised beds and in - ground planting domain . You could even arrange your garden beds in an interesting pattern , such as a uranium - configuration or herringbone pattern layout . get up planting quad do n’t have to be traditionalwood garden bedseither ! We ’ve created terraces and big noble-minded repeated planter beds using stone block ( render below ) . Galvanized steel raised bed also add a unique flair . Seethis articlefor more melodic theme about option raised garden bed materials .

In perennial landscapes , mix plant with various heights , leafage size or social organisation , and peak fourth dimension . sum up flowy plants like native decorative grasses or fern to equilibrise the more structured one . On the snotty-nosed side , we like to incorporate stately cacti and agave to complement all of our other softer plantings . Trees create the most majestic vibraharp of them all . ultimately , don’t be afraid to try out ! you could always switch industrial plant later .

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2) Play with Color

In addition to flora and flowers , there are plenty ofother way to append pops of colorto your garden . contain colorful ceramic pots , yard art , out-of-door pillowsandpatio furniture , shade umbrellas , or an outdoor carpet . Heck , you could even paint your fence or arbors ! black-market fences and arbors have been peculiarly trendy recently .

Hardscapingmaterials like flag or gravel can make a coloration statement too . In our sometime garden , we used stunning pastel - colored cobblestones that depend gorgeous against the puritanic - green gravel . Yet the material in our unexampled garden are a bit more countrified and rude . I love both for dissimilar reasons !

Decide if you want to stick with a exceptional limitedcolor strategy , or mix and oppose many coloration for an extra playful space . For example , we grow annual flower in every semblance of the rainbow , but I unremarkably choose regal , pink and yellow-bellied flowers in our perennial landscape painting . I also tend to be take out to naughty , gullible or purple wad , pillows and other accents .

3) Light it Up

Solar lightsare one of my best-loved ways to bestow pastime to the garden ! derive evening clock time , our out-of-door spaces feel downright magical . We use a combination ofsolar pathway lightsand awesome flickeringsolar tiki torches(they bet like real flames ! ) that have held up superbly over the geezerhood . Our arched treillage are grace withsolar poove string lights , which we ’ve also thread along fences and around garden bed over the year . Overheadbistro lightsare always fun , and add even more operative bright light for entertain .

And of class , do n’t forget afire pit ! In addition to light , fire pits provide warmth and snug atmosphere . We absolutely loveour small - visibility round gas fire pit , thoroughgoing for kicking your foot up to warm by the fervency . Other ways to add mood lighting in the garden include tabletop lanterns , citronella candles , or landscape painting spotlights under trees . I absolutely hump the way they illume up our oak canopy ! See more detail below .

Tip : Did you lie with that you could change the battery in many solar lights ? If the lights part to look weak or stop work , simply swop out the battery with newrechargeable solar battery . Also , you may turn them on and off to husband shelling life – rather than leaving them on all night long .

4) Adorn with Art

append personality , flair , and interest to your garden with outdoor art . Adorn the space with metallic element sculpture , statues , a cute sign , garden flag , murals , or otherartistic accents that suit your style . popping in an old wagon bike , a few little mushrooms or gnomes if that tickles your fancy ! Get crafty and make your own prowess , or look around your local garden center . I’ve also visit some creative flower bed made from older clawfoot bathtubs or wheelbarrows .

Gardener’sSupply Cohas some really cuteyard and garden decoroptions – including metallic element sculptures , weathervane , flatus thread maker , statues and more . Don’t draw a blank to add a prettyhummingbird feederfor our little friends!Learn how to make homemade hummingbird intellectual nourishment here .

We have a smorgasbord of decorative metal flowers , birds , leaf , suns , and romance throughout our garden space , along with a few fun windmill and this adorablerustic steel hummingbird . Our old homestead was dubbed “ the beach jungalow ” , so I created a sun wall painting out of moxie dollars . I also chance a fun “ garden ” signal at our local nursery , and then customise it with small copper tubing to create the shape of a rising sun . We also made a rad dirt ball hotel ( which is honestly serving more as an art piece than usable hemipteran hotel at this power point . Lol . )

5) Define Borders & Pathways

Define your infinite byaccenting bordersor changeover field with edging , decorative rock-and-roll , pavers , logs , attractive fences , arbors , arch , dispirited - growing bush , or other cloth . This could include the edges of a pathway , around an in - earth flower bed , a central terrace region , the perimeter of the intact garden , or a statement at the entrance to the space . Adding a fewstepping stonesbetween garden bed make the quad look far more interesting and arrant . It ’s amazing what a big conflict a few details can make !

6) Grow Vertical

One awesome path to add interest group to your garden is to get UP . Use verticaltrellises , arches , or arborsto create property – and increase your usable growing space ! In the veggie garden , thing likepole beans , peas , vining squash and cucumbers all love to rise . Passionfruitand Chinese gooseberry are two vining perennial fruits . Other beautiful cosmetic plants well - fit for climbing include jasmine , wisteria , bower vines , cornet vines , black eyed susan , or trailing roses .

There are also some really awing verticalgarden towers(not just for shack plants ) that are complete for small or urban spaces . lastly , do n’t block abouthanging baskets – especially around your porch or terrace garden !

Need sometrellis inspo ? checker out ourstep - by - step tutorialon how to make an cheap DIY ( flat ) trellis . As far as arciform treillage go , we establish ours at a local nursery – but I bed many folks make standardised ones out of cattle or hog instrument panel too ! Or , check outthese beautiful arches and arborsfrom Gardener ’s Supply . I specially have it off their rounded “ moon gate ” or advanced Gracie I .

7) Water Features

No yard or garden space is complete without a water supply feature article , IMHO . Water features can put up flow movement , solace audio , and also volunteer an importantlifeline to wildlifeand pollinators ! A weewee feature can be as simple as a birdbath , as stately as a jet , or as elaborate as a pond and falls . In deeper spring or bird Bath , add a few large stones for bees , small birds , or lizards to safely alight on .

We ’ve found all of our piss feature at local nurseries , though I do love the look of this highly - ratedceramic chick bathand thisbeautiful cascading lotus fountain . you’re able to also get crafty and create your own pocket-sized pond in a wine barrelful , galvanized metal bath / trough , or a pot that does n’t have a drainage hole . Add abasic pumpand turn it into a natural spring !

If you ’re interested aboutmosquitoes , keep in mind that they need standing water to breed in – and 10 to 14 days to complete their life wheel . So , a head for the hills jet is not a vexation ! Refresh your bird bath body of water at least once a week to avoid long - stand stagnant weewee . In larger ponds , consider adding a handful of mosquito fish to keep them forth .

Gravel pathways with pavers and cobble stone lined planting areas lead to a few wooden garden beds with vegetables growing in them. Add interest to garden by using various hardscaping along with different sized pots.

8) Music to My Ears

Sometimes the sounds of birdie chirping and leaves lift in the snap is all you need . Yet other noises can add joy and interest to your garden too ! ( Especially if you live near a fussy road or highway like we do . ) We ’ve already covered a popular selection in the urine feature section above ; the sound oftrickling waterfrom a fountain is oh - so - calming!I also love the sounds of cryptic melodicwind chimesandrain chains .

steer : If your fountain is too noisy , taste reducing the water system flow with one of thesehandy tube clamps . It made our new fountain sound so much more peaceful .

More often than not , we alsoplay musicwhile we ’re out in the garden ! We simply grab our favorite wireless“Move ” Sonos speakerto bring out to the patio with us , plus launch the back windows . The Move is all synced up with ourhome Sonos speakersystem via WiFi , but is also bluetooth compatible . ThisBose bluetooth speakeris also extremely portable and well - rated by fellow audiophiles . If you ’re take care for some raw tunes , be certain to check out our euphony playlistshere . We love reggae , blue , folks , indie , alternative , and everything in between !

9) Places to Relax

Last but not least , bestow personality and interest group to your garden withseating areas – perhaps enough to toy with ! Arrangelounge chairsaround afire pit , or set up an outdoordining spacewith table and chairs . Even the most tiny gardens demand abenchorsmall bistro set ! In increase to providing function and comfort , seating areas can tote up a lot of way to your garden too .

Elevateseating areas with pavers or flag , bistro lights , or even apergolaoverhead ! Decorate withoutdoor pillows , table lanterns , citronella taper , nuance umbrella , or other emphasis to match your vibe . After you ’ve gone through all these lengths to create such a beautiful space , it ’s time to seat back , relax , and soak it all in .

And that is how you add interest to your garden!

You may also have it off :

A winding brick pathway goes through the middle of a smaller garden area that contains various hydrangea bushes, agave, tall ferns, and various other plants. Solar powered lights flank the pathway all the way to light up the space and cast rays of light throughout the walkway. Add interest to garden by using various forms of lighting to enrich the space.

The sun is just setting below the horizon, solar lights are lining a gravel pathway while a few well lights light up the canopy of oak trees. Beyond lies a garden with arches that are lined with solar string lights as well as various solar powered lights that are spaced throughout. Add interest to garden by using solar powered lights to light up the area once the sun goes down.

Two tall metal flower stakes sit between a grove of oak trees. A chicken coop/shed lies beyond and the side is adorned with a metal sun sculpture. Add interest to garden by adding metal art.

An insect hotel is next to a fence, there are various logs with different sized holes drilled into them. Pinecones, eucalyptus nuts and various other items fill out the wooden structure. Add interest to garden with items that are functional and pretty to look at.

A newly planted avocado tree has a ring of cobblestone rocks placed around it. It has been mulched with magenta colored leaves. There is bark mulch around the tree area while nearby the garden used gravel hardscaping and pavers. Add interest to garden by using a variety of mulches and hardscaping.

Garden beds and half wine barrels make are set amongst gravel hardscape. Beyond lies a two tiered wooden terrace that spans the back of the yard. A short fence is the backdrop while five tall trellises add interest to garden and will soon be covered in foliage to double as a privacy screen.

A two tier fountain is flanked by two large green ceramic pots with bay laurel planted inside of them. Two metal copper colored monstera leaves are hanging at an angle from the side of the house that is the backdrop. Add interest to garden by using different sized pots or water features.

A bird bath is tucked away between lavender and yarrow plants creating a place for birds and wildlife to access fresh water. Add interest to garden by creating variety in your space.