| A rusty orb on stilts contrasts the spiky mullein; Dragonfly Farms, Bainbridge Island, Washington |
The colour of rust sits comfortably in the natural environment – like green’s complement red, blended with dabs of earth and bark. As with the orb above, even a smooth surface weathers into delicious textural variations. Rust hints of history and age, so that adding a rusty bit helps a new garden feel established. If you squint, you can see some poetry about decay and the cycle of life. Can’t you?
Corten Steel – the corrosion-resistant metal – is the rusty sheeting you’ve probably seen in gardens lately, as planters or edging. We hope you’ll find this other rusty stuff we’ve admired inspiring.
Tell us what you think afterwards: Rust, or bust?
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| Rusty off-cuts turn a fence into artwork in Robert Bellamy‘s Dallas garden. See more of this artful space here. |
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| We showed glimpses of Ricki Pierce’s amazing cog railing in our post on Wamboldtopia. Here’s a fuller view. |
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| Rather adorable nest by Bob Wahr (get it? barb wire?) Creations of Poulsbo, Washington |
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| The optical pop of laser-cut leaves in a rusty table, Asheville River Arts District, North Carolina |
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| Rusty stuff doesn’t have to be funky. This rather elegant gate is from the Seattle garden of Jim and Suzette Birrell. |
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| Rusty on a shoestring: This rust-touched vintage planter in a Toronto garden lends shabby chic to a rusty-flowered Clivia |
5 comments
I love rust, and you have given us some really beautiful examples!
I think you said it perfectly in that rust just sits comfortably in the natural environment-not on my clothes though when I sit on rusty benches. Love the rust!
Without trying, over the years I have collected many garden ornaments all of which are rusting beautifully- favourites are a dragonfly and a really large sunflower. Like Tina I wouldn't want to sit on the rusty furniture! Just found your blog. Keep going, it is great.
Rust for sure! I shocked more than a few people by leaving a recently purchased piece of heron statuary outside in the winter elements in the hope that it would do just that…. rust. There is something magical about its presence [rust] in the garden.
Love the bird's nest!! Funny that you share a Clivia today. Mine is about to bloom, so I brought it upstairs to the living area. While standing at the front door waiting for the dog to come back in, I pulled off a yellowing leaf….and a swarm of little black ants came up out of the soil. Sadly it is in the garage now. I thought I had taken care of all the insects on houseplants that had been outside….apparently I missed one.