Copyright 2008 Classic Garden Ornaments, Ltd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Longshadow DRY CAST LIMESTONE PLANTERS, CONTAINERS, GARDEN ORNAMENTS and SITE FURNISHINGS
by Noted Garden Designers, Charlotte Peters and Daniel Ward

Why Use Classic Dry Cast Limestone Planters, Containers and Garden Ornaments in a Small Personal Garden?

Many of us derive pleasure from admiring well tended gardens. However, when it comes to our own gardens, most of us have limited space and
time for maintaining flower beds and so many of us make a small garden of planters, containers, troughs and a strategically placed birdbath, possibly
a fountain or a Pineapple finial, and arrange them in a private, sheltered space, creating the illusion of richness and texture. We create our own
earthly paradise, by using detailed dry cast limestone garden ornaments as the hard scape and filling them with bright tropical annuals and trees:
Bamboos, palms, citrus, elephant ears, agave. Big beautiful plants in fine, ornamental dry cast limestone planters.

We use beautiful, fine dry cast limestone garden ornaments, planters, containers, troughs, birdbaths and figures to create the
illusion of a segment, a courtyard, of a palatial garden. A private small garden, ornamented with classic, treasured dry cast
limestone garden ornaments, can fill our hearts and eyes with pleasure, summer and winter.

The thick porous walls of dry cast limestone planters, containers and troughs keep the roots of lush plants moist and cool
during summer, allowing the growth of thick exuberant foliage.

Dry cast limestone garden ornaments, figures, planters, containers and troughs can withstand freezing and thawing cycles
as long as the drainage is assured during freezing weather. Dry cast limestone planters, containers, troughs and boxes do not
require covering during winter, allowing seasonal displays of berries and evergreen boughs in dry cast limestone garden containers.

Why Use Classic Longshadow Dry Cast Limestone Planters and Site Furnishings in Malls, City Streets, Public Gardens and as Beautiful Barriers?

Many of us enjoy being in certain public places much more than others. Some places make us feel playful, carefree, adverturous, expansive,
happy. Other places can have the effect of making us feel hurried, worried, bored and anxious to leave. Positive site experiences are
often the result of good classic architectural pattern language and negative site experiences are often the result of careless,
thoughtless, uninformed combinations of shoddy architectural elements.

Longshadow dry cast limestone garden ornaments have been designed and are manufactured in Pomona, Illinois, to be the fine, classic
pattern language elements that enhance sites in positive, nurturing, supportive ways, so that participants in public places derive
pleasure from seeing, being near to and touching Longshadow garden ornaments.

Longshadow dry cast limestone planters, site furnishings, benches, finials and beautiful barriers are ideal for enhancing the value,
classic tradition and lasting beauty of malls, city streets, river side enhancements, public developments, urban rehabilitation,
community enhancement and botanic gardens and parks.

Since 1994, Longshadow owners and workers have striven to create a sense of beauty and pleasure for every person who comes in
contact with any of the thousands of Longshadow planters, troughs, pedestals, finials, fountains and birdbaths, that are now through out the world.

The classic ideals of Vitruvius: clarity, symmetry, simplicity, repose, harmonious proportions, durability, convenience and
beauty are the guiding ideals of Classic Garden Ornaments, Ltd.

How are Dry Cast Limestone Planters and Garden Ornaments Made?

Longshadow dry cast limestone planters and garden ornaments are made from a mixture of natural stone, sand and cement, hand
tamped into molds by skilled, local artisans, in Pomona, Illinois. Planters, containers and garden ornaments made from dry cast limestone
have the texture, sheen, temperature, weight and durability of natural stone. Dry cast limestone garden ornaments and planters can be left
outside during winter, as long as the soil is removed, or, as long as the drainage is absolutely assured, because freezing water trapped in
Longshadow planters could expand and cause damage.

Because dry cast limestone is slightly porous, a patina of mosses and lichens will readily develop on Longshadow dry cast
limestone planters, particularly if the planters are kept moist and shaded. This patina will give Longshadow garden ornaments an
appearance of classic antiquity and venerable age. In effect, becoming treasured antiques and heirlooms of tomorrow in a relatively short while.

How is Dry Cast Limestone Different from Carved Natural Stone?

Suitable natural stone for freezing areas is lime stone or granite. Natural lime stone or granite planters are very beautiful and
durable. However, since each piece must be cut and carved by hand, natural stone garden ornaments and planters are much more
expensive than dry cast limestone planters and garden ornaments. Natural limestone must be protected from any possible freeze
thaw damage by being sealed and covered during winter. Dry cast limestone does not require covering during winter, as long as
drainage is assured. Planters, containers and garden ornaments made from dry cast limestone have the texture, sheen, temperature,
weight and durability of natural stone, at a fraction of the cost.

Where Can One Find Examples of Longshadow Dry Cast Limestone Planters and Garden Ornaments on Display?

Longshadow dry cast limestone garden ornaments and site furnishings, manufactured by Classic Garden Ornaments, Ltd., in Pomona, Illinois,
are on display in many public gardens, malls and community street developments throughout the USA and overseas. Please telephone us at
618 893 4831 for information regarding public locations of Longshadow garden ornaments and planters in your community.

Conclusion

At a fraction of the cost of traditional carved natural stone garden ornaments, dry cast limestone garden ornaments add the spiritual and
aesthetic rewards that gardening gives to all: delight in the miracle of life and growth, seasonal renewal year after year. Longshadow dry
cast limestone planters and garden ornaments enhance garden pleasure as each season combines current garden charm with memories of past
seasonal beauty and successes. Dry cast limestone planters and garden ornaments develop patinas, mosses, lichens, year after year, aging
graciously. In summer, dry cast limestone planters and garden ornaments are surrounded by and contain lush green growth. In winter,
with foliage cut down, dry cast Longshadow planters and garden ornaments come to the foreground, adding classic outline, definition
and spring promise to gardens, malls and streets covered with snow and ice. In public locations, Longshadow dry cast lime stone planters
and garden ornaments help create the site pattern language that enhances communities.