Monday, October 09, 2006
Get the Lead Out
Planters With an English Accent
No English garden is complete without lead planters. The iconic English gardener Gertrude Jekyll wrote, “There can scarcely be a doubt that the happiest material for our garden sculpture and ornament is lead.???
The classic lead planter features raised panels and oftentimes classical motifs. The material lends itself to the addition of monograms and other personalization. Planters come in all shapes and sizes, but the edged square is probably most identified with gracious English country homes and gardens.
Owning a lead planter means carrying on a long and rich tradition. The first architectural use of leadwork in England traces back to the Romans. By the Middle Ages, church roofs and spires were frequently clad in lead. But it wasn’t until the late 1600s that golden age of English leadwork began, when elaborate ornamentation began to appear on architectural lead and the material became popular for statues, urns and other garden features.
Today, lead fountains, planters and statuary punctuate many of England’s finest gardens. Here in the U.S., homeowners are just beginning to appreciate the classic look, rich heritage and easy-care longevity of lead. In fact, lead has been known to last hundreds of years — the surface of rain-washed lead forms a protective layer of carbonates which prevents deterioration.
For those who want the look of lead without the weight, faux lead planters fill the bill. The lightest are made from fiberglass. Another, more natural-looking option is a clay mixture which, because of its naturally retained salts, ages naturally. Both alternatives are lightweight, durable and water and UV resistant.
A premier regional source for real English lead is Proler Garden Antiques in Los Angeles, 310 459 0477.
Posted by admin at 10:57 PM under outdoor living • english
