It’s a jungle out there – by Diane Morey Sitton

Animal statuary doesn’t bark or bellow, crow, quack or cluck, but put a lifelike figure of a deer, dog or duck in a garden and watch what happens!

Instantly, the setting becomes animated…filled with personality. Animal figures add charm, and they strengthen themes. What’s more, when thoughtfully paired with other garden features (a frog beside a small pool, a cat curled up on a bench) the resulting vignette elevates the importance of both.

Luckily for gardeners, there are creatures great and small for every garden theme. And while personal preference is foremost, there are guidelines to help with style, scale and placement.

Style: Resin rabbits, bronze lions, whimsical geese, playful pups: animal figures are available in an endless array of materials and temperaments. Generally, the smooth, clean finish of stainless steel figures complements modern landscapes; the softer look of resin and wood figures enhances woodsy and traditional settings; while the timeless patina of marble and bronze strengthens formal themes.

Scale: Make sure the size of the figure is compatible with the setting. Spacious gardens invite statement pieces, i.e., life-size figures of lions, horses and other large animals. Small gardens welcome replicas of nature’s smaller creatures such as rabbits, raccoons, turtles and toads, to name a few.

Placement: Create a dramatic focal point by placing a full-size figure of a lion, horse or other large or majestic animal in a spacious, open setting or by situating it against a backdrop, i.e., a wall, fence or tall hedge. Large birds are best displayed on pedestals where the sky accentuates their silhouettes.

On the other hand, make the most of small figures by tucking them beneath ferns, amid herbs, or next to annuals and perennials in beds and borders or by displaying them in pots, raised beds and window boxes where their details and personalities can be enjoyed close-up. Add to their impact by displaying small figures in pairs or groups or by putting them in unexpected spots where discovering them takes visitors by surprise.

Whether large or small, classical or modern, playful or powerful, animal figures enrich gardens with their color, textures, and unique personalities.