Green Man, Dore Abbey

Green men are usually depicted in art and architecture as a face peering out of the leaves some time he sports a beard of leaves and hair of leaves as well.  He represents different things to different people but we know this is a very old myth.  There are statues like this that date back to Roman times so the design itself is very old.  Various meanings have been ascribed to it over the years and after the fact associations made.  I think it must be a fun image to carve because it is rather timeless and sculptor after sculptor seems to be drawn to it.

The green man represents the life, death and rebirth cycle represented by the progression of spring, summer, winter and fall.  I think he also represents our repressed wilder nature or the part of us that longs for nature.  He has been associated with Robin Hood and the wild men of the forest.  There is also a strong association with fairies in celtic tradition.  Fairies were often referred to as the green men.  And though modern sensibilities may ascribe that designation as ancient aliens I prefer the fairy interpretation.

I think as soon as we became, 'civilized' and tied to the land we started longing to be free to roam again.  The green man represents this longing.  During Beltane the god and the goddess consort and the green man represents our wilder drives set loose.  Who doesn't go to a green man festival and dream of stepping aside with a pretty lady and enjoying the privacy of the glen for an hour or two.

Green men were often worked into the architecture of grand cathedrals under the watchful eyes of the friars the wildness called even in and maybe especially in the church pew.  Green men have been with us a long time and are not fading into the distance any time soon.

Statue of a moose, but not the missing one!

A 600 pound bronze statue of a moose has disappeared from a garden in San Diego County, California, along with around 18 other bronze, wooden and concrete garden statues worth around $44,000.

Some of the other statues included a copper statue of three children, valued at $15,000, a Buddha, a 3-foot-tall statue of the Virgin Mary and a life-sized aluminum colt.

Detectives believe the artworks may have been stolen for recycling or resold in parts. Of course, any Dr Who fan who has seen the Weeping Angels might want to warn the residents of San Marcos and Ramona: Don't Blink...!

Find a bronze statue here, if you dare...

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Bronze garden statue of small horse about a metre high ( a pair is available )    £750.00

Bronze garden statue of small horse about a metre high ( a pair is available )    £750.00

Collectable Solid Cast BRONZE WOODLANDS BIRD SCULPTURE ~Verdigris Garden Statue    £39.99

BRONZE BABY JACK RABBIT BUNNY STATUE, INDOOR OUTDOOR GARDEN SCULPTURE FIGURINE    £49.98

CLASSIC BRONZED KNEELING LADY GARDEN ORNAMENT STATUE    £12.99

LARGE ANTIQUE BRONZE STYLE GARDEN STATUE GARDEN ORNAMENT INDOOR STATUE SCULPTURE    £93.00

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March 2011 sees the spring season rolling in and UK Water Features are wanting to celebrate the end of the cold drab winter weather by cutting prices on selected top selling products.

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Kibble Palace Mirror, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Scotland

A garden mirror can bring out a magical touch in any space. As long as you know how to use a mirror in the garden, you can expect only great results in the end. If you have no idea yet in terms of using this garden decoration, read on and find out how you can effectively use a mirror in your yard.

To extend the space you have in the garden, it is a good idea to replace windows with garden mirrors. For instance, if you have a shed at the end of the garden, you can change some of its windows to mirrors. The reflection of the garden on the mirrors will create an illusion of a larger space.

Also, you can bring in a more interesting view in your garden through the use of mirrors. If you have a trellis, it is ideal to place mirrors behind it. This location of the mirror will give you the view of the back side of the flowers and leaves, which people do not usually see. It can even give you a bonus of the reflection of the sky and the sun.

Another great way to use mirrors in the garden is to install them as a backdrop for the planters. You can install the mirrors on the fence and let flowers grow on the planters. When the flowers are in full bloom, you will see a magnificent reflection of the colorful flowers on the mirror. To finish this design, you can train vines to crawl up the edges of the mirrors on the fence. This will give the mirrors a more natural look on the fences.

The secret towards taking advantage of garden mirrors is to know how to use them properly. Take note that even if you have the most expensive and most stylish mirrors for the garden, you cannot guarantee to reap the most benefit out of them if you use them inefficiently.

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Photo by Candie_N via Flickr
License: CC Attribution

Colorful Pinwheel

A lot of homeowners who spend a great deal of their time taking care of their lawn and garden know full well that a great and colorful wind spinner can enhance the look and feel of your home like no other yard accessory.

This is because wind spinners – whether we're talking about the ones that you make on your own with your kids or the high value type that you buy at garden stores – blend color and movement. They are eye-catching and once they have caught your eye, it can be awfully hard to look elsewhere.

These garden wind ornaments have been around for a long time. In the fifties and earlier, children called them whirligigs. They were small, hand held twirlers that you could take to parades or while walking on the beach.

In recent years, those simple ornaments have become far more complex and diverse.

For one thing, the colors – which used to be basic silver, blue and red – have expanded to touch just about every part of the color spectrum imaginable. There are even black and white spinners! Most are bright primary colors, although some lean towards neon.

They also come in a variety of shapes and styles. Gone are the days when the only shape you could find was a gaudy sunflower. These days you can find a wind spinner in every shape imaginable – footballs, tractors, bluebirds, bunny rabbits. You name it and you can probably find it somewhere.

If you haven't yet had a chance to add a garden spinner to your home and lawn, then give it a try. Check out both online resources and your local garden supply store. Start with something simple. It's a sure bet that when the sun shines and the breeze starts blowing, you'll fall in love.

And next Spring and summer? You'll probably have half a dozen out there!

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