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FOUNTAINS, GARDEN SCULPTURE and OTHER OBJECTS IN THE GARDEN.

It is always interesting to read views on 'Garden Art'. A few landscapers promote the notion that Garden Art has little place in the garden. Others push for Sculptures, Fountains and Water Features to dominate the created landscape. So what is the right approach?

We firmly believe that Garden Art, Fountains, Sculptures and Water Features have a place in every garden, its just a matter of finding the right piece for the right garden. I remember visiting a friends garden when my children were small, he is a keen gardener and sculptor, one fantastic feature was a small sundial, the children were fascinated, we talked a little about sundials, they remember this 20 years on. Water features have a place in any garden, the tranquil feeling that they add complements the plants around them. Garden Sculpture may be decorative or placed to mark a significant event.

The important things to consider when choosing garden art are:

SORTING THROUGH THE EVERGREEN MAGNOLIAS

Evergreen Magnolias have been popular for many years, 'Little Gem' perhaps being the real beginning of it all.

Now we have not only Magnolia 'Little Gem', but also Magnolia 'Kay Paris' and the soon to be released Magnolia 'Teddy Bear'. So we hear landscapers ask 'what's the difference?'

Magnolia Grandiflora
Magnolia Grandiflora will grow up to 20m or more, an absolutely fantastic specimen tree in park or a very large garden.

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
Magnolia 'Little gem' was the first of the so called 'dwarf' magnolias, however it will still grow to 10m. Magnolia 'Little Gem' can be pruned back, this makes it well suited for maintaining as a tall hedge, however its great as feature tree as well.

THE NEW ONES

Magnolia grandiflora 'Kay Parris'
'Kay Parris' Magnolia is now available in Australia, great foliage, a very long flowering season, tolerates cold a little more than most magnolias. The leaves are a nice green, extremely glossy, with with a deep orange on the underside. Smaller growing than 'Little Gem' perhaps to only 6-9m, again it makes a nice specimen tree as it has good structure and holds its shape well, 'Kay Parris' Magnolia could also be a fantastic screen. A faster growing tree than 'Little Gem'

Magnolia grandiflora 'Teddy Bear'

Magnolia 'Teddy Bear' will be available in Australia late 2008 or early 2009. Smaller growing than 'Kay Paris' and again fantastic foliage, but different to others in that the dark green leaves are rounded and cup shaped and quite densely held. Will still grow to 6m, however like both 'Little Gem' and 'Kay Paris' if pruned in winter it can easily be kept more compact. Large white flowers to almost 20cm.

Check out Magnolia Nurseries