Ornamental Foxtail Grass

Garden ornaments add decoration and interest to gardens, patios and indoor spaces. This category covers figures and statues, decorative planters, water features and fountains, artificial plants and flowers, stepping stones, border edging and small decorative fencing, tealight holders, and memorial vases with ground spikes.

Materials

• Polyresin and magnesia: moulded figures, animals, fountains and head planters in grey, brown and painted finishes.
• Plastic: used for border edging, flexible curved edging and small fences, which push into the soil.
• Artificial plants: potted orchids, grasses, roses and shrubs that need no watering.

Check the size and weight, and whether a piece is meant for indoor or outdoor use.

Water features

Fountains circulate water with a small electric pump, and some include LED lights. A mains-powered garden pump should be protected by an RCD, with leads and connectors made for outdoor use and kept dry. In England, installing a new electrical circuit, including one to power garden equipment, is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations and must be done by a registered competent person or notified to building control. In cold weather, switch off and drain the feature, then clean and dry the pump and store it somewhere frost-free, as water freezing inside can crack it.

Memorial vases

Grave vases come with a ground spike or as containers and inserts for fresh or artificial flowers. Check any rules the cemetery or churchyard sets before placing them.

For containers, see pots and planters, or browse garden sundries.