What is a Garden Sphere?

What is a garden sphere? It may sound like a rather simple question, but surprisingly there is more to it than the simple answer. In the simplest terms, a garden sphere is a type of decoration that you can use to add a little something extra to your garden. In fact, there is a long history of these items being used in gardens. In times past, gazing balls (which are a type of garden sphere) were used by kings and queens to bring luck and beauty to their properties. Part of the legends say that such spheres had the power to ward off evil spirits, bad luck, sickness and even had the ability to thwart witches.

In more modern times garden spheres and gazing balls were used to help the "proper" Victorian suitors court one another. The reason for this is that during those times, the young men and women were not allowed to speak directly towards each other. Instead, what these youngsters would do is "talk" to the ball instead of each other. While this use for a garden sphere are no longer needed, gazing balls can still provide a great addition to your garden. Here are some guidelines that can help you decide what type of ball you want to use in your garden.

• Landscaping uses. Ideally, a garden sphere is used to accent a specific area of your garden that you want attention drawn to. Some of the ways that you can do this is to use more than one garden sphere, or garden spheres of different sizes. These spheres can be placed directly on the ground, or even into holders which can help accentuate their look. In addition, you can use a gazing ball or garden sphere to help add a little bit of enchantment to your garden.
• Types and materials. Garden spheres and gazing balls come in all kinds of different materials. Some of these materials include solid stone, concrete, glass, crystal, or even rubber. These balls can be clear, opaque, or even reflective. There is literally no end to the possible combination of materials that can be used to make your gazing ball. It all comes down to your own personal preferences, and what will help inject your personality into the garden.
• Sizes. There are quite a few size ranges for garden spheres that you can choose from. The most commonly used sizes are about 12 inches in diameter, though they can be as small as 4 inches.
• Location. Some of the best places to place your new gazing ball is right out in the open. For example, consider placing a gazing ball along a path or walkway to create a small "surprise" for those who walk along the path.