Garden Accents is Proud to Welcome Local Metalsmith, Bob Bauers:

We're so excited to introduce the newest addition to the wonderful artists we represent here at Garden Accents, the very talented Chester County metalsmith, Mr. Bob Bauers.  Inspired by the works of 19th and 20th century iron craftsmen, Bob has combined traditional blacksmithing and metal forging with the more modern torch-cutting and welding techniques to create an outstanding portfolio of original dimensional creations in steel and copper.  His collection includes original sculptures, railings and home furnishings.  We've just received a number of Bob's pieces and really enjoyed finding just the right place for them in our gardens.  The most difficult part about placing Bob's art is that it looks good everywhere and we had to settle on one spot for each item!  Our new pieces include one of Bob's amazing benches--simplistic, solid and beautiful.  We've also just received three different garden sculptural pieces including Cattails, The Sneaks and Sunflower.  Cattails would look amazing in a naturalized garden or by a water feature.  At almost six feet tall, it will provide a strong vertical accent with a great kinetic element as it sways gently in any passing breeze.  For something a little more graphic, the bold sculptural Sunflower is at once delicate and strong through Bob's creative combination of textures and shapes.  Finally, we've brought in one of my new favorites- "The Sneaks"- a whimsical trio of graphic figures who look right at home either in the middle of the garden or peeking out from behind foliage. 

Bob's story is another great example the beautiful creations that can be born by following your passion:  He began metalworking as a part-time hobby but his love of the craft and his amazing talent gave him the fortitude to start his own full-time business in 1998.  This passion is evident in the quality of Bob's work.  Please visit us soon to see these wonderful, unique creations!   

Unique Sculptural Planters Make a Big Impact:

If you've been searching for new containers and would like to venture away from the more traditional offerings, Garden Accents has just what you've been looking for!  We've discovered a new line of very unique, contemporary planters crafted in either high quality steel or aluminum.  Available in a wide variety of fresh colors, shapes, heights and sizes, these planters create a strong graphic statement on their own or planted with foliage and flowers.  Many of these planters look like something you'd expect to see at the Museum of Modern Art.  Somehow they manage to be funky, classic, simple and complex all at the same time thanks to their innovative shapes and colors.  Stop in to see color samples and the company's full product line--These are definitely something you won't find in your local home center!

A New Take On "Shaking Out The Carpet":

You've heard of the Shamrock Shake (that green-tinted mint milkshake that shows up in fast food restaurants around St. Patrick's Day), but have you ever heard of a Moss Milkshake?  Sounds awful, right?  Awfully brilliant!  A local Pennsylvania company has created the Moss Milkshake, an ingenious new product consisting of ground moss fragments which come packaged in a milk carton.  Just open, shake over bare ground or stone, add water and sit back to watch a beautiful moss garden appear where little else would grow.  If you have a shady area where nothing else will grow, this may be the perfect product for you.  This would also be great for adding a centuries-old patina to a brand new stone wall or cast stone statuary or planters.  Once established, moss needs no watering, no mowing and no maintenance--the epitome of environmentally friendly landscaping!  Now available at Garden Accents!

Sitting Pretty--Our Glass Mosaic Bench:

This serpentine-shaped jeweled glass bench will add rich color and interest to a shady porch or patio.  The deep colors and luminosity of the glass create a shimmering effect that's truly beautiful.  This one-of-a-kind bench is handmade by a local artist and features graceful curved iron legs for stability and is the perfect height for seating comfort. This bench would be stunning indoors in an entryway or outdoors protected from the elements.  Please stop in or give us a call if you'd like to have the artist design something just for you!

When You're Weary of Troubled Waters, We're Here to Help:

Ah...there are few things more welcoming in a summer garden than a water feature--that is, unless your water feature has turned into a nasty green swamp.  Still waters may run deep, but they also are a precursor to mosquitoes and algae.  Keeping water circulating with a little low-voltage recirculating pump will add a little oxygen in the water to prevent that slimy algae from taking hold so quickly in this hot weather and will discourage mosquitoes from laying eggs since they don't like to breed in moving water.  It's the easiest way to give a pond or water feature the oxygen it needs to maintain water quality, reduce algae and minimize the need for chemicals and constant upkeep.  By installing a little recirculating pump, the surface of the water is agitated.  As water moves, it releases harmful gases and absorbs oxygen from the air.  The recirculation of the water by the pump evens out the water temperature from top to bottom and distributes oxygen throughout the water feature, helping to minimize or eliminate any stagnant water odors.  We have a great selection of pumps for the tiniest pool to the largest pond and will be glad to help you find just the right pump.

For smaller bodies of water like a birdbath, it's important to keep it scrupulously clean so your birds have a constant source of fresh, clean water.  Songbirds can't swim so a depth of just 2 inches is perfect.  Algae is best cleaned with a mixture of a capful of bleach and water, scrubbed and rinsed well.  Some people advocate putting a few copper pennies (pre-1982 pennies preferred for the highest copper concentration), a small length of copper pipe or a sprig or two of lavender in the water to help thwart the growth of algae.  

To keep fountains looking their best all summer, Garden Accents uses two products to help keep our many fountains and water features looking great year after year. 

We use a product called Fountec to keep our fountains clean and clear.  When used weekly, Fountec will also reduce mosquito larvae. Fountec is not only a powerful algaecide and clarifier, it is also a surfactant that breaks water tension which helps control mosquitoes, flies, and wasps in fountains, water gardens and birdbaths.  

For most of us in the Philadelphia area, hard water buildup can be a problem.  We use a product called Protec to maintain the beauty of water statuary surfaces.  Protec contains organophosphates for protection against both white calcium mineral buildup and rusty metallic stains on all types of fountain and statuary surfaces and can also help prevent pump damage due to hard water buildup.  Protec-treated water is safe for birds, plants, and animals.  We have both Fountec and Protec in stock at all times since we use it ourselves!  

A water feature is a wonderful asset to the garden and can provide so much pleasure with just a little preventive maintenance.  Please give us a call with any questions and we'll be glad to help!