Garden Art

Aged Hypertufa

| Flower Roberts

When I was an artist, I made garden art out of various recipes with portland cement as the main ingredient. Planters were made with mixtures of peat, ground organic matter, portland cement, mortar mix, stone and fibers.

Hypertufa trough covered in moss.

The troughs were hand-shaped and seasoned in plastic wrap to dry slowly. The surfaces had to be brushed to a roughly smooth, natural-looking texture that mimicked stone.

I discovered that there is a fine line between a recipe that will grow moss and a recipe that falls apart. The trick is to use fibers that are made to strengthen concrete. The fibers left sticking out can be burned off using a blow torch. I also used these fibers in bird baths and benches to reinforce them, along with hardware cloth and rebar.

This trough is about thirty years old and looks exactly like it was intended. Still sturdy enough to be moved and used as a planter.

I will share other pieces of Maiden Stone Garden Art in future posts and describe how each was made. I used to teach workshops on how to make pieces. 

FLOWER

My First Trough

| Flower Roberts

I made this hypertufa garden trough almost thirty years ago.

Maiden Stone Garden Art

It was the beginning of Maiden Stone Garden Art. I spent over five years creating troughs and stepping stones and bird baths.

Stoneshrooms from Maiden Stone Garden Art

It was hard, heavy work. The last pieces linger as a reminder of my past creativity and strength.

I am thankful to sit here beside this first trough made with too little Portland cement and not enough fibers.

Old hypertufa plant trough with dunce cap in corner

I did not know what I was doing, but I was determined to follow my path.

I made some money, lots of muscle and many friends in those years.

MAIDEN STONE GARDEN ART

We are both worn by time but still standing and doing our best.

Hooray for dreams and determination.

FLOW