Handcrafted Four Seasons Garden Statues

Four Seasons statues have been popular for centuries—especially during antiquity and the Renaissance. They can either be fat little cherubs, called “putti”, or lovely women, both holding allegorical representations of the seasons, such as grapes, flowers in baskets, cornucopia, or wheat.

When searching for a garden statuary, a set of Four Seasons statues is not hard to find. However, it is exceedingly difficult to produce statues of the impeccable quality and fine detailing of those handmade by Archiped co-owner, Richard Stanzel, and his artisanal assistant. However, because Archiped””s molds are taken directly from 19th century limestone sculpted Italian/French antique originals, it is nearly impossible to tell the originals from the copies.

Archiped”s rendition of the Four Seasons statues

This picture has Summer sitting on the small Estate Display Column on the left, carrying a basket of vegetables. Autumn stands on the large Estate Display Column in the middle cradling a cornucopia, with Spring holding a basket of grapes on the mid-size column on the right. Winter stands alone on the ground in the front.

When the cast stone reproductions are removed from the molds, they contain naturally-occurring bubbles and seams. Consequently, each Archiped is meticulously fine-tuned and filled by hand to 100% perfection. This attention to detail sets Archiped””s statues at a higher level above its competitors. In addition, each cast stone product is completely frost-proof, guaranteed against cracking and accompanied by a 6-year pro-rated warranty.

Planters, Urns, Pots and Drainage

Plant receptacles need to have adequate drainage so that the foliage planted in them will not develop root rot or “drown.”

Plant suffering from root rot

For outdoor use, place live plants in containers with drainage holes.  The water will flow through the containers, keeping the plants safe from over-watering.  Additionally, the drainage will stop water from pooling in the pots and keep them from freezing during the winter.  Frozen water will expand and crack the receptacles.

Furthermore, when placing urns on top of pedestals outdoors, we recommend installing drainage holes in the pedestals as well—especially if the pots will be connected to an automatic watering system.  Consequently, the tubes coming out of the side of the pot will be hidden.  In residential installations, however, many homeowners prefer to hand water their plants. In these cases, pedestal drainage holes aren’t necessary.  However, we recommend that all pedestals holding planters with live foliage have holes.

Urns and pedestals should both have drainage holes for outdoor planting.

On the other hand, for those wanting to use the urns and planters indoors, we advise that they NOT have drainage holes to avoid leaking onto inside floors. In these instances, there is a nominal charge for PLUGGING and sealing the pieces.  The most practical way to water these plants is to house the plants in containers that can be easily removed for watering, and then place back in the urns.

Place indoor plants in removeable containers for easy watering.

Plant It and Leave It.

Archiped’s slogan is “Plant It and Leave It,” and that applies to drainage.  No rocks needed, no special soil, just “Plant It and Leave It”.