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Creating Whimsy in Your Garden

March 11, 2019

Once the perennials have emerged, you’ve planted some annuals here and there, and all your flowers are looking great, it time to have some fun by Creating Whimsy In Your Garden.

I truly love every task that gardening involves, but my favorite thing to do is kick my creative side into high gear and add some personality and whimsical touches to my gardens. Okay, let’s have some fun and get creative. Come along and let me give you some ideas and tips to bring out your artistic side.

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Low Budget Ways to Add Whimsical Decor To Your Garden

First take a walk around your own yard and see what you can find. Keep an eye out for interesting limbs, old logs, rocks or boulders, old fencing, broken flower pots, etc. If you have littles, get them involved. My five year old grandson now looks for big rocks for his Nana’s garden. Be creative!

Rocks and boulders make awesome borders around your gardens. Or even just a small pile of field stones with flowers growing around and through them looks super cute.

Logs look great in the garden with flowers as a backdrop. They also look cool hollowed out and used as planters. Birch logs especially look amazing in gardens. Use them to add height in a flower pot.

Logs can be used to make very whimsical statement pieces. We had several trees cut down and I’m always foraging through the wood pile for an interesting log or limb. In this example, the piece of wood was rotten in the middle, so it worked well to plant marigolds in the hollowed out middle.

I think whimsical garden art really makes a backyard flower bed.  I love these 20 diy ideas that are either recylcled, upcylcled, or from junk that nobody wants.  I need to do some of these in my outdoor space--Solar lights are so easy. #gardenart #whimsical #flowergarden #landscapingideas
Photo courtesy of Gingham Gardens

I also use logs like tables or stands to add height to planters. Create little scenes, or vignettes, with garden art pieces you have on hand.  If you’d like to see how my husband made the branch ladder in this picture, check out Easy DIY Garden Decor Using Tree Branches when you’ve finished up here.

I think whimsical garden art really makes a backyard flower bed.  I love these 20 diy ideas that are either recylcled, upcylcled, or from junk that nobody wants.  I need to do some of these in my outdoor space--I love the ladder out of sticks. #gardenart #whimsical #flowergarden #landscapingideas
Photo courtesy of Gingham Gardens

Not sure which annual flowers are best for your garden? Here are my picks for sun and shade.

Don’t toss out broken pots or containers. You can use a broken clay pot as a tipped or spilled planter feature like this. Because the pot is broken on the side that is buried, it doesn’t even matter that it’s broken. Really just about any planter looks whimsical tipped on its side with flowers spilling out.

I think whimsical garden art really makes a backyard flower bed.  I love these 20 diy ideas that are either recylcled, upcylcled, or from junk that nobody wants.  I need to do some of these in my outdoor space--what a neat way to use a broken pot. #gardenart #whimsical #flowergarden #landscapingideas
Photo courtesy of Gingham Gardens

Other Ways to Add Whimsy to Your Garden

Doing something as simple as adding landscape lighting can go a long way to add a whimsical touch to your garden space. These solar lights look super cute both in the daylight and nighttime. And, the twinkling of landscape lights adds tons of whimsy and ambience to your gardens at night.

I think whimsical garden art really makes a backyard flower bed.  I love these 20 diy ideas that are either recylcled, upcylcled, or from junk that nobody wants.  I need to do some of these in my outdoor space--I could get this shepherds hook for cheap at the dollar store. #gardenart #whimsical #flowergarden #landscapingideas
Photo courtesy of Gingham Gardens

Dig an old short shepherd’s hook out of your stash and hang a galvanized pot of annuals on it. Instant whimsy, right?

I think whimsical garden art really makes a backyard flower bed.  I love these 20 diy ideas that are either recylcled, upcylcled, or from junk that nobody wants.  I need to do some of these in my outdoor space--I could get this shepherds hook for cheap at the dollar store. #gardenart #whimsical #flowergarden #landscapingideas
Photo courtesy of Gingham Gardens

A container filled with flowers is a great way to fill up empty spaces and works really well to add personality and charm. Years ago, I had this tipsy tower of clay pots in my garden and it was always a conversation piece for visitors.

I think whimsical garden art really makes a backyard flower bed.  I love these 20 diy ideas that are either recylcled, upcylcled, or from junk that nobody wants.  I need to do some of these in my outdoor space--these tipsy garden pots are just the cutest! #gardenart #whimsical #flowergarden #landscapingideas
Photo courtesy of Gingham Gardens

Do you have a fence, add décor or planters to the fence. At our former home we added framed heavy duty lattice panels to hide our neighbor’s chain link fence and it was always fun to add some yard art pieces to the fences.

I think whimsical garden art really makes a backyard flower bed.  I love these 20 diy ideas that are either recylcled, upcylcled, or from junk that nobody wants.  I need to do some of these in my outdoor space. #gardenart #whimsical #flowergarden #landscapingideas
Photo courtesy of Gingham Gardens

Need Perennial Flower Planting Ideas? Here’s 53 of my favourites, 28 you should probably avoid, and 17 for those shady spots in the garden.

Garden stakes look cute nestled in with the flowers in your gardens. Craft fairs and boutiques are great places to find garden art and that’s where I found these adorable birdhouse stakes. Many years ago, I read to create groupings of odd numbered pieces in a garden vignette and it totally looks so much better that even numbers. Give it a try and I think you’ll agree.

I think whimsical garden art really makes a backyard flower bed.  I love these 20 diy ideas that are either recylcled, upcylcled, or from junk that nobody wants.  I need to do some of these in my outdoor space--especially these birdhouses. #gardenart #whimsical #flowergarden #landscapingideas
Photo courtesy of Gingham Gardens

Upcycling vintage items, like this old chair, is a very creative way to add character to your gardens, and I would like to think this is my speciality. Flea markets, estate sales and garage sales are the best places find pieces like vintage milk cans, ladders, bicycles, old chair, wheelbarrows and whatever else you can see in your garden. Personally, I draw the line at bathroom pieces and car parts, but to each their own. If you’re interested in taking a little garden tour to see my Upcycled Vintage Garden Decor, pop over when we’ve finished up here.

I think whimsical garden art really makes a backyard flower bed.  I love these 20 diy ideas that are either recylcled, upcylcled, or from junk that nobody wants.  I need to do some of these in my outdoor space--this old chair project would be so easy. #gardenart #whimsical #flowergarden #landscapingideas
Photo courtesy of Gingham Gardens

Adding a simple little water feature goes a long way to add whimsy. The sound of trickling water just adds to the atmosphere of peace and serenity in the garden, especially when placed by a seating area.

Photo courtesy of Gingham Gardens

Ideas for DIY Whimsical Garden Decorations

Of course, there are tons and tons of ideas on Pinterest for making DIY Garden Decor, but here are a few (well, okay, several)  ideas I have on my DIY to do list:

  • Dragonflies made with old silverware
  • Flower stakes made from dishes
  • Bird cages made into planters
  • Rocks painted to look like bugs or worms
  • Painted garden rock markers
  • Tin Can and flower pot people
  • Glass totems
  • Bird feeders made from old cups and saucers
  • Mosaic from broken dishes
  • Simple hand painted sign

See how fun and easy creating whimsy in your garden can be? Just keep in mind that adding garden decor or yard art is just another means to add to the beauty and personality of your gardens, and is not meant to compete with it.

Again, have fun and be creative! When I’m not sure how something looks in the garden, I take a picture. Sometimes looking at a picture helps to solidify the design or makes it easy to see if something needs to be changed. If you decide later that your little vignette looks more dorky or junky than whimsical, you can always rearrange it.

Do you add whimsical touches to your gardens? Leave a comment and let me know. Or, of course, if you have questions, you can always ask.

I think whimsical garden art really makes a backyard flower bed.  I love these 20 diy ideas that are either recylcled, upcylcled, or from junk that nobody wants.  I need to do some of these in my outdoor space. #gardenart #whimsical #flowergarden #landscapingideas
I think whimsical garden art really makes a backyard flower bed.  I love these 20 diy ideas that are either recylcled, upcylcled, or from junk that nobody wants.  I need to do some of these in my outdoor space. #gardenart #whimsical #flowergarden #landscapingideas
Joanna Von Bergen

Hi there, I’m Joanna from Gingham Gardens. I’ve been a fan of Kristen’s blog for many years and long before I became a blogger myself, so I’m honored that she would allow me a chance to guest post at Shifting Roots. Gardening has been a passion of mine for a very long time. And, although I’m mostly into flower gardening, I do vegetable gardening too. Come visit me when you have some time to take a virtual stroll through Gingham Gardens.

ginghamgardens.com/

11 Comments
Filed Under: Flowers, Gardening, Inspired, Landscaping, Projects Tagged: Backyard, flower garden, Garden art, whimsy

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Welcome!

Hi, I'm Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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Growing eucalyptus for the first time this year? Growing eucalyptus for the first time this year?  A new post is on the blog to walk you through it.  While in theory eucalyptus is easy to grow, it's challenging in my zone 3 garden for three reasons: ⁠
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➡️It needs a long time to mature⁠
➡️I have a short growing season⁠
➡️I live in a cool climate, and eucalyptus grows better when its warm.⁠
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That said, you can see by this picture that it can be done!!⁠
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Are you growing eucalyptus this year?
Oh friends, if any of my nice, curated photos sums Oh friends, if any of my nice, curated photos sums up how this last week went, I think it's this one.  Babies crying, trying to stay calm, outwardly looking like it's all under control, but feeling very overwhelmed.⁠
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This post isn't gardening related, so feel free to scroll by if you're here only for the gardening content.⁠
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Thankfully it's January, and I keep reminding myself that the Internet will not break if I don't keep to my self-imposed posting schedule.  But it doesn't make a week full of teething-and-not-sleeping baby any easier. ⁠
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Felicity slept through the night for the first time ever last Monday, then proceeded to punish us with frequent wakings and terrible sleep until Saturday.  And as tough as this is in regular times, in Covid times its extra frustrating because I don't have my village.⁠
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I can't just call up another Mama friend and go for coffee at her house.  I can't take my son out for a Mommy-and-Dominic date because everything he'd want to do isn't really much of an option.  There's no playgroup or play place to just drop in on.  And forget just taking everybody out to get groceries just for a change of scenery.⁠
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I know people have way more serious problems than this, and I hope I don't sound whiny and entitled, it's not my intention.  Please know that I'm very grateful for my family and job and that so far we've been healthy. ⁠
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A lot of you who follow me do so in part because you are also juggling life with very little people through this strange time.  I hope that in occasionally sharing my struggles, it makes you feel better about your struggles. (You're struggling too sometimes. . . right?)
Do you tend to plan out your garden to the nth deg Do you tend to plan out your garden to the nth degree, do you just wing it, or are you somewhere in-between?⁠
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I tend to plan it all out, and then when I actually get out in the field, so to speak, the plan changes a little bit. ⁠
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If you need a garden planner that's both pretty & practical, my garden planner is available in the ebooks section.  It's only $9 and has lots of upgrades from the previous planner.  Use code CANADA if you're Canadian to account for the exchange.⁠
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P.S. You can see exactly what you're getting in the video--no surprises. ⁠
P.P.S  I get my planner bound and printed at a printing place.  Lots of people just print their own and put the sheets in a binder.
Are you gardening in containers this year? When y Are you gardening in containers this year?  When you're shopping for vegetable seeds, look for varieties that have names with words like patio, tiny, small, etc.  While lots of vegetable varieties will do fine in a container, you'll have an easier time with ones that are specifically bred for that situation.⁠
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📸 by @blushbrandphotography
I'm living the pepper dream in this photo. While I'm living the pepper dream in this photo.  While these ones are a bit on the small side, who doesn't want ripe peppers in July in zone 3?!?! ⁠
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Over the years I've gotten better at growing peppers, and I promise I'll spill my secrets in February when it's actually time to start them.  Until then, get yourself all or one of my four favourite varieties: ⁠
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🌶️Carmen⁠
🌶️Escamillo⁠
🌶️Candy Stripe⁠
🌶️Hungarian Hot Wax⁠
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Do you have a favourite pepper variety?⁠
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Have you flipped open a seed catalogue lately? It Have you flipped open a seed catalogue lately?  It's so easy to get completely overwhelmed, especially if you're new to gardening.  Why are there so many varieties of everything and which ones do I choose?⁠
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Here's how I try to narrow it down.⁠
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🌤️ Short growing season like me?  Try and prioritize varieties that have short dates to maturity.⁠
🥗 What do you or your family actually eat?  While I think you should always try a couple of new things, there's no sense in planting a giant garden filled with vegetables that you're not going to cook with. ⁠
🥒 Do you care whether your vegetables are heirlooms or hybrids?  Heirlooms are the kind that have been around for 50+ years and you can save seeds from.  Believe it or not, this year we're prioritizing hybrids for some of our garden.  The Hermit @mgsraney is obsessed with production this year, so anything that's going in "his" greenhouse better be able to produce a lot.  I'm using more heirlooms in my "glamour garden" as we call it, because I want things that are pretty and I can save seeds from.⁠
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What do you prioritize when you're picking out seeds?⁠
Last week we started thinking about our plans for Last week we started thinking about our plans for cut flower gardening, now this week we start thinking about plans for our vegetable gardens.  Unlike cut flowers, there's not as many vegetables that need to be started ridiculously early.  However, it's still fun to plan and dream and get your thoughts sorted.⁠
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I'm curious--what size of garden do you have to work with?  Are you on an acreage or farm, city backyard, or do you have a couple of pots on an apartment patio?⁠
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As for me, I have quite a mix.  I have my container garden on my backyard deck, the small cut flower garden in my yard, then vegetables in raised beds.  We also garden at my Mother-in-law's acreage, so there's a giant garden over there where we're figuring out how to grow food on a larger scale.  Then finally, sometimes my Mom grows things for me in her garden if I'm nervous that I'll ruin them in my own garden--call it a backup garden if you will.⁠
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📸 by @blushbrandphotography
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