Well, it's finally spring and we are having a very warm one up here in Massachusetts. Most of my spring bulbs are either done or still in bloom. In this first photo, I have a concrete-painted skunk. This skunk was originally designed to be used as a door stop. I thought it would look nice in my shade garden at the edge of the woods. Skunks are a woodland animal and he fits perfectly in this space. He's positioned under my PJM Rhododendron. A part-shade, part-sun flowering shrub. To his left, is a bright red Silver Sword Miniature Azalea in bud. Blue Grape Hyacinth bulbs, blue Ajuga ground cover and green and white hosta complete this corner. Sprouting fern are erupting right behind him. You can see leaves and spent Rhododendron flowers scattered on the ground making for a colorful landscape. He stays outside all year round, so paint touch ups are needed.
This next vignette is my white tailed buck. He's also a woodland animal and very skittish. Having him resting under a white Spirea flowering shrub is as natural as you can get. He's surrounded by blue Grape Hyacinth bulbs and white Star of David bulbs in the front that are in bud. When those bloom, he'll have a spray of little white flowers for more cover. This deer is a large landscape statue made of painted cement. He measures about 14" long. He just looks so comfortable here. In summer, he'll be surrounded by hot pink wild Geranium which will brighten up this shade spot. He also stays outside all year round, so maintenance is always needed. He needs to have his antlers re-cemented in the holes. But that's an easy fix. His paint however has remained practically intact, so I'm happy about that.
The final area I'm showing is a part-sun, part-shade area in the front of my house. Sitting under my kitchen window is a white painted bird bath with blue chinese catfish, and a hummingbird feeder which I won't put out until May 1st when the weather is guaranteed to be warm without the chance of frost. Next to the birdbath I put a small ceramic figurine of a flamingo. And as you know, they are water birds from Florida that eat pink shrimp giving them their pink feathers. He deserves a place in the sun by the water. He measures about 6" tall and has a matte finish. He's not too brightly colored, so he doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. A frog or turtle would look great here as well. He's surrounded by Stella D'Oro Daylilies not yet in bud, Hosta and blue and white violets.
Don't be afraid to experiment with animals in different locations in your yard. Make sure that the animals fit in with their environment. It will look out of place if you have ducks in a dry parched area, or hummingbird windchimes hanging in a bare spot with no potted flowers or greenery. Use your imagination and "liven" up your yard with more than just plants. They really do complete the design and also adds some whimsey at the same time.
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