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Landscaping Ideas for Sculpture Statues

Garden sculpture statues are a hardscaping landscape element that coordinate well with softscaping features like flowers and shrubs. Statues are commonly made from durable concrete, with more expensive statues cast in bronze or carved from granite or marble stone. There are a wide variety of statues from which to choose, including religious figures, whimsical creatures, animals and fountains. They are most effective in the landscape when balanced with natural features, like plants, water and stones.
  1. Focal Points

    • Sculpture statue focal points are easy to create with a large centerpiece statue or a large grouping of several statues. Large statues can make a great statement without much supporting landscaping; a well-manicured lawn can make a large statue stand out prominently. Large statues might also be placed in front of a tall garden hedge. A bright white statue in front of a dark green hedge, such as a boxwood hedge, contrasts nicely. Flowers can be added to border a large statue in a landscape, but looks best if the same type and color of flowers are used. Group similar-themed, small to medium-sized statues together to create a focal point in the landscape. Border the entire grouping with the same flower, or border each statue individually with the same species and color flowers.

    Accent Pieces

    • Small- to medium-sized statues make ideal accent pieces for flowerbeds and other landscape features. Use staggered or sporadic spacing to create a more natural look. Ivy and other climbing vines can be trained to climb up statues to help them blend with the garden plants. Statues can also be used to accent or define a garden pathway. Place two statues on either side of the pathway, either at the ends or throughout the length to encourage guests to stay on the designated path. If the landscape has a bench or set of decorative chairs, a small statue, such as a sitting gnome can be placed on the edge of the seat.

    Fountains

    • Fountains may not typically be regarded as statuary, perhaps because they are a class of sculpture entirely their own, but they are sculpted pieces that can be used in landscape design. A fountain can be an enormous tiered piece, such as is commonly found in front of large buildings, or as small as a birdbath. If a very large fountain is used, the landscape should also include a pathway to walk around it; this way coins can be added and wishes made to bring good luck. Place the fountain so that it is centered on the home or building and also centered in the yard, if possible. Small fountains, such as wall fountains, can add visual appeal to an otherwise boring patio. A boring section of a yard or flowerbed is quickly brought to life with a fountain feature.

    Chess Set

    • Homeowners who love the classic game of chess may particularly enjoy seeing the game set up on a large scale in their home landscape. Craftsmen create large replicas of chess pieces that can be used independently or as part of a set. A chessboard can be made with colored mulch or colored tiles. The pieces weigh about 40 lbs. each and may be too large for most people to actually play a game, this set would go well in the game area of a landscape. The set could also be set up on the entertaining patio -- a sure conversation piece for guests.