Looking to bring something extraordinary to your garden? A thoughtfully placed sculpture can act as a year-round focal point, add personality to your outdoor space, and reflect your values — especially when it's made using sustainable or handmade techniques.
At Copper and Green, we create hand-forged copper and iron pieces designed to live and age beautifully outdoors. In this post, we’ve selected a mix of our own work and other brilliant, sustainable garden sculptures made by UK-based makers and creatives.
Whether you’re designing a large garden or looking for something subtle for a smaller space, here are 10 inspiring garden sculpture ideas to help you think beyond the ordinary.
1. The Copper and Iron Tree by Copper and Green
Material: Hand-forged iron and individually shaped copper leaves
Size: Available in Small (1.8m), Medium (2.4m), and Large (3m)
Why we love it:
A striking centrepiece for any garden or courtyard, this sculpture ages naturally with the elements — the iron forms a rustic patina, while the copper leaves mellow to rich tones over time. Each tree is handmade in the UK and can be commissioned to represent a community, school, or family, with personalised copper leaves.
2. Recycled Metal Birds by UK Artisans on Etsy
Material: Upcycled scrap metal
Why we love it:
Charming and full of character, these handmade bird sculptures are welded from salvaged metal and bring a splash of fun and movement to flower beds or pond edges — all while reducing waste.
3. Driftwood Sculptures by I Made This 76
Material: Natural reclaimed driftwood
Why we love it:
A brilliant option for coastal or wild gardens. Each piece is unique and tells the story of tides and time. Plus, using driftwood is a zero-impact way to decorate outdoors.
4. Copper Bee Drinkers by Copper and Green
Material: Reclaimed copper pipe and dish
Why we love it:
Designed with pollinators in mind, these sculptural drinkers help thirsty bees safely access water — all while adding a beautiful metallic accent to beds or patios. Over time, the copper develops a rich patina that blends naturally into the garden. Each one is handmade in the UK using recycled materials.
5. Living Willow Structures by Musgrove Willows
Material: Willow rods woven while alive
Why we love it:
These evolving sculptures are rooted into the ground and continue to grow. Popular forms include tunnels, domes, or human figures. They're living, breathing works of art — especially good for schools and eco-conscious gardens.
6. Recycled Glass Garden Totems by Glassblooms on Etsy
Material: Kiln-fused recycled glass
Why we love it:
With their bold colours and stacked forms, these totems add vertical interest and work beautifully near seating areas or patios. Made using waste glass, they’re eco-friendly and completely unique.
7. Woven Willow Sculptures by Tom Hare
Material: Forged or woven willow
Why we love it:
Tom Hare’s organic forms mimic seed pods and tree fruits, giving a sculptural nod to nature. Though often large in scale, his smaller orbs can be placed among grasses or gravel for a naturalistic effect.
8. Ceramic Poppy Seed Heads by Niki Ceramics
Material: Stoneware clay
Why we love it:
These rustic carvings — often of green men, forest spirits, or Celtic motifs — feel like they’ve always been part of the garden. Designed to encourage moss and lichen growth, they settle beautifully into shady areas and evoke a strong sense of place. Ideal for woodland gardens or spaces with a naturalistic feel.
9. Plantable Ceramic Faces by UK Artisans on Etsy
Material: Stoneware clay
Why we love it:
These subtle, sometimes humorous faces can be tucked into soil, half-hidden among ferns or moss. Many makers offer them unglazed, allowing them to weather naturally into their surroundings.
10. Laser-Cut Corten Steel Panels by Luxury Screens
Material: Weathering steel
Why we love it:
These rust to a warm orange patina and can be cut with botanical or abstract patterns. Use them as sculptural dividers or fence accents to add structure and shadows to your space.
🌱 Choosing the Right Sculpture for Your Garden
When selecting a garden sculpture, consider:
- Scale – Will it balance the space and plants around it?
- Material – Natural metals and woods age beautifully; plastics often don’t
- Meaning – Does it tell a story? Invite conversation? Represent something personal?
And above all, look for handmade or sustainable materials. Pieces that evolve with the garden — weathering, mellowing, growing — are often the most rewarding.
🛠️ Commission Your Own Sculpture
At Copper and Green, we create handmade copper and iron sculptures that bring craftsmanship, longevity, and meaning to your outdoor space. From small copper insects to large-scale statement pieces, our work is rooted in natural form and sustainability.
👉 Contact us to enquire about a custom piece
👉 Browse our copper garden sculpture collection