Art in the Garden

If you like gardening, this is for you

ARTS & CULTURE | December 2025

Garden art is a truly beautiful skill that takes time and patience. When you think about garden art, what do you think of? Maybe plants, recycling, even statues. Lots of people do gardening, and in a way, a garden is art.

When people draw or paint, sometimes you have to “plant” an idea of what to draw. See what I did there? Art is a very good way to calm down and chill for a bit. It’s the same with hardening as well! If you don't know what garden art is or want to try something new, this is the right place for you. And if not, that's okay. Read it anyway. Get some knowledge.

Let's answer the big question: what is garden art? In an article by Jackie Albarella titled “Garden Art - Garden Design Has a New Element,” she writes that, “It ranges from the use of found objects and rocks, to sculptures.” The article also talks about the reason people want to do garden art, it states that “Garden art gives you another opportunity to show your creativity and create a focal point for the garden.”

This article isn't only for artists but also gardeners who want to spice up their garden or learn a bit more about gardening in general. Of course, you could be reading this for the sake of it.

Five DIY gardening art activities

Recycle art

Recycled art is seen more as plastic, but you can do more than just plastic. You can do a lot with just a few pieces of plastic or other recyclable material. You can glue or tie pieces together and make creatures and art! Not only that, but you'll save the oceans, the animals and the overall environment.

Paint scenes

Pretty simple, just paint something inside the garden! Perhaps a shed, a gate, maybe a makeshift door you've built. You could just splash your shed with paint to make it more fun! When painting, you could just do a simple canvas, hang it up somewhere in the garden. But you can also just paint the garden itself. Plenty of people do it their own way.

Play with your art

When you play with your art, you're using nature itself instead of using cardboard or wood to make something creative.

Go ahead. Take some leaves and make a silly image, or a creature. Maybe cut some twigs and glue them together to spell out a message to all the people out there!

There are plenty of things in nature that you could use for art. Some examples are pinecones, leaves, sticks, logs, rocks, etc.

Use broken/unused chairs

Using old chairs to hold your plants, not only that you can, paint it, break it, write on it, very simple things to do. You can place your statues on it, or your bird bath! It can be any chair of your liking, big or small, you can make anything into art.

Decorate doors

Decorated doors don't have to be complex, put some statues around it, paint it a little, glue sticks to it. There are plenty of tutorials that can help give you inspiration, or wing it, it’s all up to you!

Interview with Dixon Schmals

What is your experience with gardening?

I’ve had a lot of gardens, and I've grown a lot of things. Did they work out? Sometimes. So I’d say I’m in the medium when it comes to gardening. It's always interesting to see different bugs.

What is your experience with art?

I love art. One of my favorite subjects. I usually did art back in school. I love seeing other people’s art. I love wood art or construction

Why do you love art?

I like to see different people's creativity. It’s a lot of fun.

Why do you do gardening?

It is very important, even at a young age. Plus, freshly-grown tastes better