My UGA Garden Vignette

I am a proud member of the Bulldog Nation!  I know, I know — it’s a lousy year to be a Georgia Bulldog fan with the football team struggling so.  Yet, those of us who bleed red and black will always support the dawgs (even if we mumble under our breath) and think about what may happen next year!

During the college football season, I try to show my Bulldog pride by creating a UGA garden vignette in a little side area by my garage. This year I got inspiration from a dilapidated wooden bench that was falling apart after years of sitting in the garden. (This bench in no way reflects my feelings about the team this year – “dilapidated” and “falling apart.”)

My husband, Dan, rebuilt the bench and rather than paint or stain it a neutral color, I decided to paint the slats an alternating red and black. To complete the project, I added some UGA decals to really show that school spirit!

I have a Georgia pinwheel next to the bench and my UGA stepping stone that informs people they are in “Bulldog Country.” I included some pots of blooming red plants to balance the scene.

My neighbor next door smiled politely when he saw my new garden vignette. Of course, I could see the pity in his eyes – he is a Florida Gator fan. But, he is a good neighbor and never comes over to gloat whenever Florida whumps up on Georgia. (Georgia did win in 2007 and the whole team did a cool end zone dance…but I digress).

Adding whimsy to your garden is a way to show your personality and what you care about. Now you may have no interest in sports teams but you may have a collection of bird feeders, watering cans, old chairs or even ceramic frogs.  Why not use them in a garden display?  Massing your collection gives greater impact than sprinkling the objects all around the garden.

To start your garden vignette, think in terms of one big focal point to build your scene around. Maybe it is a signature plant or tree, a charming old painted chair or a sculpture. This will be the primary object to draw the eye to the vignette. Next create additional visual interest by selectively adding to the scene. Look at the site as a painting and move things around until it is pleasing to your eye. Add some color and fill in bare spaces with colorful containers of plants. The vignette will seem more balanced if you use an odd number of items in the grouping.

My UGA garden vignette is fun for the fall, slightly tacky and expresses who I am and what I care about.  “Glory, glory to old Georgia and to _____ with Georgia Tech!”