There is nothing quite as picturesque in the garden as a well-sited urn teeming with flowers and trailing vines or a weathered, moss-covered statue triumphantly posed on a pedestal holding court along a path. More than just a decorative element, garden ornaments such as these serve many important purposes. They work as a sort of punctuation mark or focal point amidst the wildness of their natural surroundings. Whether placed at the end of an allée of trees or dotting a majestic garden path, ornaments create an emphasis and accent by drawing the eye up from the ground and in a particular direction. They tell you where to look in the garden and also how to move through it—there’s something about a hint of a statue or a cleverly-placed bench in the distance that beckons one closer and invites exploring.
From an aged stone basin centered in a parterre to a charming turtle statue peeking out from under woodland plant growth, ornaments bring a note of surprise to the garden. Imagine wandering down a meandering meadow path and happening upon a stately statue or an idyllic garden seat under a portico—there’s a magic to the unexpectedness and a sense of discovery that they bring. They can also lend a sense of architecture, height and scale to the garden that will last throughout the seasons.
But it’s not all just decoration. Garden ornaments can have specific functions, too, that range from training flowering vines to grow (obelisks and tuteurs), to telling the time (sundials), to providing a place for repose and contemplation (garden benches). Urns, pots, and planters—great homes for flowers, herbs, even vegetables—also have vital uses as garden containers as they allow for plantings to be easily moved around, such as indoors for the winter or to just change up the look of your garden, for example.
Whether on the hunt for a beautiful outdoor fountain to situate within boxwood hedges or for a simple birdhouse to accent a copse of trees, read on to discover 50 of the most charming garden ornaments that are sure to enhance any outdoor space.
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Pennoyer Newman’s Lion’s Head fixture can be employed as a decorative wall mount or as a water spout over a fountain or trough.
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Swiss Chalet Birdhouse
$129.00
A stylish home for everything from wrens to nuthatches, the Swiss Chalet birdhouse from Viva Terra features a mango hardwood frame and a verdigris copper shingled roof.
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RH’s cast-stone Whippet statuary is a majestic figure to grace a terrace or rest atop a balustrade.
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24.5 in. Pagoda
$108.63
Whether along a tranquil garden path or near a bench overlooking a pond, this petite pagoda from the Home Depot is a traditional accent for any Zen-inspired garden.
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Designed by Mario Nievera for Seibert & Rice, these whimsical terra-cotta planters recall the French tradition of faux bois garden furniture and ornament.
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When laden with climbing vines, the Jardin Rose arch from Gardener’s Supply creates a grand entrance to a vegetable or flower garden.
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Garden Terrace Cast Stone Planter
$53.00
The Garden Terrace planter from Campania International is a versatile planter made from cast-stone, perfect for both city or countryside outdoor spaces.
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Goolsby Birdhouse
$204.90
Any bird would be lucky to take up residence at this post-mounted Goolsby birdhouse from Wayfair, complete with a decorative copper roof and white-painted finish.
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Holden Fountain
$1219.00
Frontgate’s Holden fountain, with two cast-stone basins and a bubbler on top, is an idyllic centerpiece for an outdoor courtyard.
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Hare Seated Ears Up Statue
$105.00
When peeking out from underneath a row of hostas, this sweet statue of a hare from Campania International will enliven any stepping stone path.
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Ganley Galvanized Planter Box
$116.90
This trough-like galvanized steel planter box from Wayfair is a stylish way to elevate your herb or vegetable garden.
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Brimming with three-tiers of flowering plants, the Cascade planter from Kingsman Company is made of welded steel and will dress up any terrace or patio.
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Versailles Green Planter Boxes
$1800.00
Take a cue from the celebrated gardens at Versailles by planting citrus trees or topiaries in these iron planter boxes that are full of Gallic flair.
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This solid brass sundial from Garden Artisans is embellished with charming garden tools and words from a poem, ‘God’s Garden,’ by Dorothy Frances Gurney.
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