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"To view garden ornaments as
baubles, to add them as afterthoughts, is to miss the chance to
elevate
an outdoor space
from merely pleasant to
truly artful."
-
Bunny Williams, 'On Garden Style
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"Every winter, when the great sun has turned his face away,
The earth goes down into a vale of grief
And fasts and weeps and shrouds herself in sables
Leaving her wedding garlands to decay,
Then leaps in spring to his returning kisses."
~Charles Kingsley
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 Oh, fickle Sun--we forgive you, too and are always happy when you return with vim and vigor to brighten our late-winter days! Now that mid-February is here, the official start of spring is a mere month away and there's too much to do to waste time lamenting all of the cold, sunless days we've endured this past winter. Spring is a time of renewal, of new beginnings; a time to dust off and re-engage that positive outlook. Since we've had measurable snow on the ground consistently since December 26th, most of us have developed Herculean shoveling muscles that will make tilling this year's garden by hand a cinch! In addition, the consistent snow cover has provided a great source of slowly released moisture and protection for all of our perennials, trees and shrubs. Thank you Winter, you've been more help than we originally gave you credit for, but please--enough already! It's time to make way for Spring and all those great rituals associated with it--The Philadelphia Flower Show, the return of the robins, the arrival of Garden Accents' spring inventory, spring cleaning, and...
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Garden Accents' First Annual 'Make Room For Spring' Green Tag Sale:
 Mark your calendars--We need your help! We have plenty of new spring inventory coming in and we're already bursting at the seams, so we've planned a great event to help us find some much-needed space. Our first-ever 'Make Room For Spring' Green Tag extravaganza begins on Tuesday, February 22nd at 10:00 AM and ends Thursday, March 31st at 5:00 PM. We've taken major reductions of up to 50% off many “must-have” items in an effort to free up some valuable real estate. New inventory is crucial to helping us perpetuate our goal as being the go-to source for all of your garden ornament needs but there's only so much room for all of our incredible treasures so we need to say a few goodbyes. All sale items will be clearly marked with green tags for easy browsing. Shop early for best selection and savings!
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Je Vois La Vie En Rose: Springtime in Paris--The 2011 Philadelphia Flower Show:
 After a long, cold and white winter, most of us are ready to see life and everything around us in a rosier hue. This year's inspiration comes from the City of Light, and the 2011 Springtime in Paris theme promises to be one to rejuvenate your spirit. The 2011 Philadelphia Flower Show begins Sunday, March 6th and runs through Sunday, March 13th at the Pennsylvania Convention Center at 12th and Arch Streets in Philadelphia. We're so fortunate the have the world's largest indoor flower show practically in our own backyard! As lovely as the winter fragrances of pine and cedar and wood smoke are, it will be heavenly to experience again the redolent notes of lilac, lavender, rose, and geranium as well as hundreds of other scents that will be part of the Philadelphia Flower Show.
French-inspired accents can impart a genteel and storied layer to the garden and to your home decor. Garden Accents has several vintage French pieces including a stunning grape carrier that would be the perfect touch on a garden wall or in a Provencal kitchen brimming with herbs and flowers. We have Parisian-inspired vintage iron window grates which make unique and beautiful wall art. We have the quintessential traditional French planters, the Anduze urns, which would be perfect adorning an entryway overflowing with lavender and sunflowers, or perhaps going back to their original 16th century roots, holding court in a glorious light-filled sunroom cradling a fragrant, colorful citrus tree. The Anduze urns' classic shape dates ba  ck to the 1500s and is attributed to a potter by the name of Boisette, who based the shape on a beautiful Medici vase he saw while visiting the nearby town of Beaucaire. His sturdy rendition of the Italian vase, replete with garlands, festoons and badges, became so popular that it was frequently used in orangeries as a beautiful, portable way to overwinter citrus trees and even graced the estate of Louis XIV. The Anduze has been a long-time favorite of ours, and we have a choice selection of sizes and colors to choose from. For a more rustic look, we offer these great French country oil jars with either a lovely mustard or a mossy green glazed accent. We also have classic French bistro sets in springtime hues, just the right size to fit on a smaller terrace or balcony, the perfect place to sip your morning café. Looking for something more petite? These charming handmade roosters (the unofficial mascot of France) add a whimsical French country note to any room. Come see us before or after your visit to the Philadelphia Flower Show to enhance your Springtime in Paris experience!
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Headed Our Way From the Great White North:
 We have a large shipment of exquisitely beautiful yet tough-as-nails garden ornaments and planters slated to arrive here at our showroom in March, en route from Western Canada. No strangers to harsh weather conditions, the company proudly stands behind every piece they make with a 5 year unconditional weather guarantee. These planters and accent pieces are a masterful blend of today's high-tech materials with yesterday's attention-to-detail artistry. We  sold two of these pieces to Le Bec Fin this fall--look for them when you're in the city! Included in the March order are both Old World classical-inspired designs as well as stylized, more contemporary renderings of troughs, urns, square planters, benches and birdbaths in a variety of finishes including an aged stone called "Old Roman" and a beautiful hand rubbed leather-type color called "Bronze". We've carried these wonderful pieces for many years now and have many loyal devotees who return to us when they need additional pieces to enhance their landscape. The specially-developed stained concrete withstands years of harsh weather, the designs are classic and timeless, and any piece from this collection is sure to become a garden heirloom to pass along to future generations.
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Make a Splash--New Fountain Arrivals:
 We have a great selection of new fountains scheduled to arrive in early March to add to our already extensive collection to ensure that we'll have exactly what you're looking for. Due for arrival are several small and medium size free-standing fountains as well as a great new standing wall fountain which would look stunning against a blank patio wall. These cast stone fountains are made here in the USA by a company founded more than 60 years ago, and we've always been very pleased with the quality and appearance of their products. All fountains are self-contained and recirculating which makes them relatively easy to install. If you've been thinking of adding a fountain to your indoor or outdoor living space, shop early for best selection! After the first warm week in spring, our fountains quickly become best sellers. We recommend shopping early to avoid the special order wait and expensive freight charges associated with these heavy items.
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Checklist for Incorporating a Fountain into Your Landscape:
 Is this the year you're ready to add a fountain to your patio or garden? It's not as daunting a challenge as you might think and we're here to help you every step of the way. A recirculating fountain is one of the easiest ways to add the soothing sounds of moving water to your area. If you need help choosing a fountain, our stellar customer service will offer guidance in choosing the most appropriate fountain for your specific site and needs. We offer full-service delivery and can help you get your fountain to its new home. If you need help installing the fountain in its new location, we can help with that, too!
 In order for a fountain to work properly, all components must be level to ensure proper water flow. If the fountain is going directly onto a patio or deck, check for level and adjust by inserting shims as needed. If the fountain is being placed directly on the ground, it's really important to do a little bit of preparation to ensure that it functions well for many years to come even if the ground around it heaves and sinks with temperature changes (aka 'frost heaving'). This recommendation is the same if you are placing statuary, a large pot, or a piece of garden art directly on the soil and is simple to do. The GA staff is happy to give you instructions when you visit us!
 You'll also need a nearby electrical outlet--cord length varies from fountain to fountain but most are a fairly generous length. Lastly, you'll need a water source that's conveniently close by (or a hose that reaches the fountain) to allow for easy topping off of water levels and occasional cleaning.
Fountains provide visual and acoustic beauty in any setting. Garden Accents offers a full complement of services including frost proof base preparation, fountain installation as well as seasonal opening and closing of your fountain to make your experience even more enjoyable. If you already have a fountain, don't forget to inspect your components to ensure that they'll be ready for spring! We carry a well-stocked inventory of fountain supplies, pumps and accessories and our knowledgeable staff can assist you in finding what you need!
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"Surely as cometh the Winter, I know
There are Spring violets under the snow."
~R. H. Newell
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