Garden Globes

The first recorded history of these hand-blown glass garden accents dates back to the 13th century where they were made in Venice. Called gazing globes, garden globes, good luck balls, any by several other names, they came into their current popularity during Victorian times.

Types of gazing balls

The original Victorian Gazing Balls were 4-inch hanging balls of either gold or blue glass and were used to repel witches. These miniature gazing globes are still in fashion, designed to hang from a small stand to swing in the air along a garden path or beside a pond. Others sit on diminutive six-inch pedestals. The standard size of modern globes is ten to twelve inches, but globes as small as five inches and as large as twenty inches can also be found.

Naturally, they vary widely in color and pattern as well. Surfaces may be mirror-smooth or patterned with a swirling or spotted design. Choice of color depends on intended use. While all gazing balls reflect the garden around them, silver globes do this the most clearly. Blue and green globes seem to capture some of the light; other colors like red or gold work well near seating or floating above similarly-colored plants. Color can either echo nearby plantings -- a perfect green sphere near boxwood or a topiary or a silver globe floating over a mound of lavender -- or gently contrast.

Gazing ball stands and pedestals

Although gazing globes can be placed directly on the ground, they're easier to see and can reflect more of the garden if mounted on a stand or pedestal. A mounting will also hide the short neck that the globes are made with. These pedestals are typically stone or metals and come in styles ranging from classic There are stand styles for every garden, from formal Greek columns with scrolls and acanthus leaves to playful designs with rabbits, fairies, or other figures.

Traditional uses

These globes have as many uses as there are people who use them. They've been used for observation -- to allow household help to monitor the dinner table without staring, and in the southern US to let someone sitting on the porches see who was coming up the walk. As "Globes of Happiness" they have been used as wedding gifts to bring happiness to a new home.

Unique uses

A gazing globe is meant to be a subtle, inconspicuous addition to the garden rather than a focal point and their playful look helps them fit in anywhere. Without a stand they can be nestled in a visible spot among low-growing flowers and ground cover, floated in a pond, mounted on a fence post, or simply rolled out onto the lawn. Smaller ones can be hung from trees or tucked in among the flowers a window box, raised bed, or large planting pot. With a stand they can be "floated" over flower beds, placed near a pond to reflect the rippling patterns of sunlight on water as well as the colors of any nearby plants, or a pair can be used to mark an entryway or the end points of a planting bed.

After dark, miniature garden globes work well on an outdoor table, reflecting candle or torch light. Add an electric bulb to the globe for an unusual walkway light or light for the the ceiling of a patio or gazebo.