Perennial Garden Structures

In 1890, Royal Botanic Gardens curator George Nicholson first proposed an all-perennial garden. His purpose was to emphasize native plants and steer gardeners away from the regimented high-maintenance gardens prevalent at the time.

Furniture
- Adirondack chairs beckon the visitor to rest a while.
  
  Furniture in a perennial garden suggests repose. A stone bench or duet of wooden Adirondack chairs beckons the passer-by to rest and enjoy the garden. A swing roped to a catalpa tree, or a table amongst a crowd of ferns, provides visual interest and invites visitor participation.
Decorative Structures
- Garden gnomes lend a touch of whimsy.
  
  Hardscape decorative structures furnish the perennial garden with a tapestry of integrated amusements. A miniature gnome or elf statue lends a touch of whimsy. A Victorian glass globe or gently percolating water fountain mingle soft romance and art. Decorative structures are best placed in unexpected areas of the garden, such as around a bend or bursting from a cluster of roses.
Functional Structures
- A sundial in an open area of the garden provides functional and visual appeal.
  
  Functional structures, such as sundials, stone or brick walls, or a Wisteria-laden arbor, serve the garden and provide architectural interest. Steppingstones can lead the visitor to accentuated garden highlights; a bird bath provides sustenance for feathered friends as well as a visual feast for the garden visitor.
Placement
- A properly placed structure never detracts from the beauty of the perennial plants.
  
  Perennial garden structures are best placed in the background, allowing the lush foliage and colorful blooms to be the stars of the show. Structures should merely suggest their presence and not dominate the landscape.

Makeshift Greenhouses

How to Prune Strawberries

Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens

Perennial Garden Structures

Furniture

Decorative Structures

Functional Structures

Placement