The birds are singing, the sun is shining and we’re itching to work outside. Before you haul bags of topsoil and mulch, let’s look at the design plan and decorating aspects of your garden.

Overall Design
Consider using rounded edges to beds and various areas of your garden. Create flowing paths that suit the landscape logically and decoratively. Divide them so they remain uncrowded even after your plantings have matured.

Space
Perennials will grow and spread. Grasses use vertical space and tumble over nicely onto pathways. Decorate the outside to complement your home’s interior design.

Decorative Elements
Trellises, pyramids, arbors and benches add depth to your garden. Flowers, bushes and small trees add color and mass. Want to add that WOW factor? Add "jewelry." Decorating with statues and figurines creates small vignettes and whimsical aspects that prevent your garden from becoming too serious.

Garden statues are some of the most inexpensive ways to keep your outdoor spaces fun and current. Terracotta, resin and stone are the most popular. My preferred material is resin for its durability and low cost. It’s also fairly light, so you can move a piece around the garden until you have it in that perfect spot.

Planters, gazing balls, birdbaths and animal figures can lead your guests from one area of the garden and through others. Frogs and turtles are most popular this year, but I still like the occasional child or angel figures in and amongst the flowerbeds.

For more decorating tips, articles and resources, please visit Decorating with HGPgal (www.HGPgal.com/). There you can link to the online catalog and see all of the beautiful garden pieces and home décor items available.

__________
Lisa DeClue is a Decorator and Designer with Home and Garden Party. She owns Decorating with HGPgal, a DecoForum and a family-friendly Christian discussion forum called Kingdom Life. She writes a twice-monthly ezine, the PartyLine Newsletter. Subscribe here for a free ebook or deco report!

DecoForum: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HGPgal/
Kingdom Life: http://kingdomlife.hyperboards.com
Subscribe: http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/subscription.php?action=subscribe&username=decluehgp&subscribe_url=&unsubscribe_url=