Appreciating rust in the garden

Rust is an accidental kind of beauty. You don’t usually set out to make it … it just happens. Top on the Flea Market Gardeners list of things to watch for when junk shopping. Get some ideas for your garden…..

This garden sign made of tin ceiling tiles photographed by Kathy Gilbert combines whimsy with practicality, at the same time Mother Nature adds the unpredictable, ever-changing element of rust.

What to do with a collection of fanciful rusty objects is always the question. No doubt, a blank wall or a stretch of plain fencing are great places to highlight an artful arrangement like this creation above by Marlene Kindred.

These decorative metal embellishments on the left were captured by Cindy Barton

With a dusting of color from Mother Nature, rust gives metal objects the patina of history and enlivens the view with an orange glow that invites your attention. These decorative metal embellishments on the left were captured by Cindy Barton. She also photographed the headboard “gate” on the right.

You can buy special paints and powders and new objects that simulate rust, but even more fun for many is to treasure hunt for old world metal crafts to add whimsy to your decorating. Above is a “steampunk” tree and gear candle holders designed and photographed by Marie Niemann.

For the practical gardener in you, recycling and up-cycling rusty treasures into useful “art” is challenging and rewarding! How about organizing seeds or hardware in bread pans like these photographed by Rob Ryan. And, on the right: metal headboard and footboard parts of an antique child’s bed look wonderful on a plain wall, and with a little chicken wire (rusty of course) these could support vegetable or flowering vines in a garden setting. Photographed by Keri Little.

Some of the BEST of our garden Rust!:

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Whatever you conjure  or create with your unique rusty treasures, one thing is certain, you’ll have the benefit of Mother Nature as your artistic partner!

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