Garden Punctuation - Seeing The Wood For The Trees

Getting To The Focal Point

I would like to draw your attention to the focal point. Whether it be a statue, a swing, a pool, or a particularly imposing plant, you just can’t beat a lovingly located focal point.

Placed to draw the eye to a particular view, or lure you to a secluded spot, or simply for the wow effect; the focal point is an unavoidable constant in garden design, providing a frame work over which you can develop a consistent garden plan. We use them instinctively in the home – yet some how loose the plot when we step into the garden. So here are a few rules.

Look At Me!

A well positioned focal point should draw the viewers eye across the garden – whether it be a scantily clad Grecian babe or the mother of all bird tables – you just want to get that little bit closer.

Less Is More

One well-positioned quality statue can make a garden, where a multitude of concrete monstrosities can turn it into a macabre freak show quicker than you can say Ford Mondeo.

Divide And Conquer

The beauty of the focal point is that it allows you to start chopping your garden into designable chunks. No longer is your garden a blank canvas – a big open space – as you have a specific number of points to design around. You might want to surround your feature with lush planting, or perhaps some gravel, paving or seating.

What and Where

Always position your feature for maximum impact; try to draw the visitor’s eye away from less attractive views such as the oozing compost bin or the rusting bicycles. Then think about what sort of feature you want – and it really can be anything, as Brighton is overflowing with commissionable creative types.

If you’re buying a statue then be willing to splash out. For something old and weathered check out reclamation yards – alternatively buy a statue made from reconstituted stone and smother it with yoghurt; this will encourage weathering, it might also give your neighbours something to talk about, but that’s half the fun.

© Matt Hewes
All articles are written by freelance horticulturist Matthew Hewes and can be re-printed or replicated by permission only. If you wish to use findmeplants copy on your website then this will be considered in exchange for a link and inclusion of the author’s name. Matthew Hewes works as a freelance garden writer and is happy to write gardening articles to order.

More Articles on Garden Design and Plant Selection