Theme Gardens
Add a little whimsy to your garden -- and show off your creativity while you’re at it. Create a theme garden.
Bedtime for Bongo. Sound the right musical note by turning some old bongos into a miniature garden bed. Simply cut off the skins and insert containers of your choice. The bongos will hide the containers, so you can even use disposable plastic pots.
Birdbath Reborn. With its built-in pedestal, this birdbath is perfect for a miniature garden. Rocks, minerals, and garden art are set off by patches of moss.
Trash This! Newer galvanized trash cans bring an industrial flavor to this edible garden. Set in a row, the matching containers make a handsome receptacle for miniature apple trees.
Victory Garden Redux. Recall the can-do attitude of past generations by planting a Victory Garden complete with a flag, signage, and, of course, lots of bounty. Old crates, clay pots, and wooden raised beds maintain the period look.
Your Move. Precast pavers edged in brick make a suitable board for a large game of checkers. Lightweight wooden rounds, painted in contrasting colors, help make the game less about weightlifting and more about strategy.
Echoes of History. These faux ruins were made out of natural stone, but the same effect could be captured with bricks, stucco-covered concrete blocks, or even alternative materials sprayed with stone finish. Cover with vines for an even more ancient look!
Storybook Garden. A magical kids’ garden can be fun to create. It starts with an entryway such as an arbor or gate and includes winding paths taking small strollers to enchanted destinations. Be sure to include unique flowers and plants. You can even throw in a castle or two!
What’s Cooking? Indulge your love of cooking by outfitting an herb and vegetable garden with castoffs from the kitchen. An old kitchen table set and thrift-store pans painted in matching colors set the scene.
Keep on Truckin’. It’s a little unconventional (okay, a lot unconventional!), but this old pickup truck (sans engine) has become its own contained garden. If this is a little too much for your neighborhood, you could always try it on a smaller scale with a toy.
Beyond the Sea. Blank walls become a canvas to highlight whatever theme you choose. In this case, it’s an ode to oceanic life, courtesy of a painted mural and fish decorations.
Yin-Yang. Theme gardens don’t have to be large. They can be as small as this simple pot, decorated with marbles and moss to represent the ancient creative/destructive process of yin-yang. Simple yet effective.
Rusted Relics. Practical yet artistic, these raised beds offer plenty of gardening space in an efficient and decorative layout. The geometric shape and rusted metal add to the garden’s appeal.
Yellow Brick Road. With a little paint (and patience), a simple concrete walkway can become the focal point of a whimsical garden. Play off the theme with vibrant colors (note the fence and garden art) and hidden areas of the garden for exploring.
Gateway to Fun. Gates and arbors signify entrances to a garden. Why not entice visitors with the visual suggestion that they’re about to enter a magical place? In this case, the brightly painted dragon sculpture and unique cutouts open a door—literally and figuratively—to the imagination. And that’s really what theme gardens are all about.