How to add Antiques to your Garden

You don’t need to inherit a vast estate to use antiques in your garden. Staddle stones, weathered troughs, oversized terracotta pots and elegant Italianate statues can be used in almost any space, from cottage gardens to contemporary urban courtyards. The trick is to make the pieces you choose look as if they’ve always been there. Many of the antiques in country house gardens fit perfectly into the setting because they’ve been there as long as the house has  - but in modern gardens, those same classic elements can add intrigue and form. Your garden should be one of the most inspiring and calming areas of your home, and antique and contemporary statuary and furniture will add character and interest. So how do you incorporate pieces from a classical bust to a vintage wooden bench into your garden. Holloways Garden Antiques have shared some tips. 

See the entire catalogue online at hollowaysgardenantiques.co.uk

FRAME THE VIEW
Place a tall statue or an urn on a plinth at the end of a shady path or gap in the hedge to lead the eye beyond the existing space. It can point the way to a breathtaking view, a hidden part of the garden or simply back towards the house. Mature tree branches or fronds of greenery from established shrubs will form an elegant frame.

BE BOLD
Small spaces can handle big pieces. Play with oversized terracotta pots in a compact courtyard. While smaller animal statues will add a layer of interest, tall Roman-inspired figures surrounded by leafy plants make for a natural but impactful feature. Pots grouped on the edge of steps help point the way.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING
In a garden attached to a period property, think what would have once been there. Limestone staddlestones, old cider presses and moss-covered troughs will create atmosphere in an old farmhouse or country garden. For a more modern look, think the clean lines and innovative design of contemporary sculpture juxtaposed with galvanised planters. 

CREATE CLUSTERS
Group together odd numbers of pots and planters. Choose pieces carefully for colour and texture in either a mix of complementary finishes or a single material. Leave them empty or plant imaginatively - think a tall bay with frothy underplanting, a selection of hostas or clipped buxus in various sizes to make a vibrant, evergreen group.

REUSE AND RECYCLE
An old garden roller artfully leaned against an outbuilding will add an air of bygone charm to your garden. A old wheelbarrow or vintage bicycle with a basket planted up with frothy perennials and annuals are quirky additions. Antique rhubarb forcers look fabulous in a kitchen garden and give year-round interest while an old cart piled high with terracotta pots is a rustic touch. 

BENCH MARK
A sunny corner is the perfect place for a bench. Teak weathers to a beautiful silvery grey, while a decorative wrought iron bench painted in white or sage green will become a pretty focal point. Think of a bench as a punctuation point in your garden - somewhere to sit and take stock.

CREATE A BACKDROP
There’s no doubt that green is the perfect backdrop to antique stonework. If you are planting around your statuary, think a limited palette of subdued shades so the ornament becomes the focal point. 

PLAY WITH MATERIALS
Mixing old and new materials can be really effective in a garden. Try grouping vintage copper or stamped metal planters next to lichen-covered stone troughs, or place a strikingly modern bronze next to a pool so it’s reflected in the water.

SOFTEN HARD EDGES
Antique urns will happily sit on contemporary plinths, but you can soften the contrast with clever planting. Ivy trails beautifully over a base to soften the edges before patina develops organically over time.

INTRODUCE WATER
Contemporary or traditional, water brings peace and tranquility to a garden. Lead fountains telling classical stories add interest to ponds small and large, birdbaths keep your feathered friends coming back to your garden while antique stone troughs planted with reeds are a haven for wildlife.

See the entire catalogue online at hollowaysgardenantiques.co.uk

You may Also Like

RHS Gold medal-winner Kate Durr's tips on how to plant garden pots

Whatever size your garden, whether it’s contemporary or cottagey, there’s always a place for a pot.... Read More