Decorating
any garden, especially a Japanese style garden is one part creativity
and one part cunning attention to detail. There are many inferior
products on the market which may tempt you into purchasing an inferior
product. Today, we will examine a few common gardening décor materials
and weigh the pros and cons of each.
Lava Stone
Lava stone is a beautiful dark stone and the many nooks and crannies
give it an fascinating and diverse surface. However, lava stone is very
also very porous and inexpensive, making it a poor choice for long
lasting garden décor. If priced cheaply, it can be a great addition to
your garden for a few years. Just make sure you know what you are
buying.
Cement
Cement is a popular choice for many garden decorations including
Japanese lanterns, statues, and bird baths. However, this is a man-made
material which does not stand up well to the elements. In many cases,
cement lanterns and statues will begin to fall apart quickly, usually
within a year or two but higher quality cement may last a bit longer.
Granite
Granite is a hard, natural stone comprised of quartz, mica, and
feldspar. It is available in several colors and is both beautiful and
long lasting. Unlike cement, resin, and lava stone, granite will last a
lifetime. For long lasting beauty for your garden, choose
granite lanterns and benches.
The Takeaway
Learn your stone types so you can be sure you know
what you are buying. Cement and other man made materials cannot
withstand the elements that nature bring and will begin. For life long
garden lanterns, benches, fountains and basins always choose granite or
slate.
