Plans For a Darkly Gothic Garden

Here's one of my favorite Gargoyles, I can't remember the church name, but it's just north of Stirling in Scotland.

Such a cool project! I would recommend some black/red velvety roses, with lots of thorns of course! There are several varieties with that coloration. Creepy textures, like Harry Louder's walking stick or curly willow would be fun. Splashes of bloody crimson here and there would certainly be in keeping, and would look lovely with all the dark flowers and foliages. Sove cleverly placed garden statuary could give it a cemetary feel. Oooh, I'm on a roll! Such a fun idea! Neal

Oh a row of headstones..... would be perfect!

Yes - I did think of roses, & while I might try one or two, I'm not into all the care & spraying that the "gothic" types would require here. Our humid weather is really indusive to Black Spot. I'm more of a Rugosa Rose fan, & they're not really the "gothic" type.

I do like Harry Lauder's, so might try one of those, & as I mentioned before, there will definitely be appropriately placed garden gargoyles ala Edward Gorey - one of my favorite writers/illustrators.

I'm also thinking that annual Moonvines would also look nice entwined here & there - especially on spooky full-moon summer nights.

On the topic of statuary, while gargoyles, grave stones, ect. are all appropriate and cool; you might also think about the old southern plantation house gardens left to themselves. Kind of like the cover to the movie midnight in the garden of good and evil. I have a friend who is down right creeped out by that type thing, and I have to admit that while I find them fascinating, they still give me the willies. Lichen covered classical statuary; tucked into kind of half-seen corners I guess is what I'm talking about. Though if you can find some that are just a tad twisted, so there is something wrong with them that isn't instantly obvious, that would be perfect.

Yes - that's a good idea, but will depend on how large this theme bed ends up being.

I'm thinking of starting small, which is I why I'm going to start out with just a small gargoyle or two. I also just saw a small statue that I covet - it's a "vampire cat", & as a bigtime cat-lover/owner, don't know that I can resist it even though it's more "camp" than true gothic.

LOL Campy? It's no worse than those Bunniculas from Scotland. ;)

Oh - how can anyone not love Bunnicula???

lol, it's your garden, the important thing is that you like it, second being that it reflect you.

Reflect me? Now THAT'S a very scary thought - lol!!!!!