You spent many an afternoon as a kid admiring the neighborhood gardens with your aunt Ginny. While most of the gardens looked like a scene from a magazine spread, there were a few that didn’t quite make the cut, either because of neglect or excessiveness. There was one, in particular, that stuck out like a sore thumb because of all of the garden art. There were statues everywhere of everything from frogs and deer to angels and gargoyles. You could spend all afternoon just looking at all of the art in that garden. Apparently, the gardener liked statuary, perhaps a little too much, as your aunt once remarked.

Now that you’re older, you’d like to add flair to your garden with some statuary, but you don’t want to repeat that garden scene from your childhood. Here are a few tips:

• Less is more. Limit yourself to pieces that really shine. Twenty statues of various saints woven throughout your garden will not make the same statement as one large statue of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment.

• Groupings are best. When possible, group pieces that complement each other. Bird statues here and there will not have as much impact one St. Francis of Assisi statue overlooking smaller bird statues.

• Placement is everything. Set up groupings amid foliage rather than wherever there is a spot. The statue of St. Francis of Assisi set in the first open spot will not be as striking as it will overlooking smaller bird statues under the cherry tree in the center of your garden.

Once you have your statuary in place, take the time to care for it. The elements will take a toll on the statues after a while, speeding up the aging process. To slow down the process, wash your statues regularly and apply a coat of sealer to them annually.

Should a piece ever suffer a chip, crack or break, arrange to have it repaired or refinished. Depending upon the extent of the damage, you may be able to do this yourself.

Finally, protect the statuary in the winter. Don’t leave the pieces to freeze in the snow and ice. Cover them up or bring them inside. Keep your statuary in good condition, and it will serve as a lovely feature in your garden for years to come.

Make Aunt Ginny proud. Choose the right statues for your garden, place them with care and keep them looking good!