 Gazing Globes
Mirror Balls, Garden Spheres, Pedestals & Stands
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Rich in history and big on style, the garden gazing globe is one of Pond Doc’s favorite garden accessories. Reflective glass balls have been used for centuries in gardens and pathways to reflect the world around it. They are still used today to enhance the garden by mirroring bright colors of the flowers but with one big advantage. Now there are choices of materials, colors and designs.
Click HERE to Read our Article on the History of the Glorious Garden Gazing Globe.
The traditional gazing globe was made of reflective glass. The modern gardener, however, has the choice of metal and ceramic globes and spheres as well as glass. Reflective mirror balls are made of hollow stainless steel and come in several updated color options that include shades of reds, blues and green. Purple, gold and silver round out a complete selection of solid colors. Designer multi-colored stainless steel balls have made their way onto the market as well.
Stainless Steel Mirror Balls
 Stainless Steel Mirror Balls are lightweight and can float although they will eventually take on water that will need shaking out from time to time because a tiny hole is in each of the spheres that is used during the coloring process. This is one of the few styles of globes that come in larger sizes such as 16, 20 and 22 inch. A “monster ball” of about 7 ft. diameter is even available by special order.
The garden isn’t the only place where the stainless steel mirror ball is used. We supply many film producers with stainless steel spheres for use during the filming of 3D effects. Our stainless steel globes are also used to create wonderful interior design in restaurants and office buildings.
Metals Orbs
 Metal orbs with cut-out designs make it possible to light the globe from within to create a beautiful nighttime path marker or garden art piece. Just place a bundle of white or colored holiday lights inside the globe making sure to use lights rated for outdoor use. Many of these globes rust with age to add to the rustic charm of the piece.
Poured cement globes are becoming more popular. Massarelli, our favorite of all the quality cast stone poured concrete statuary manufacturers, has a whole line of statuary globes – many with welcome and garden messages and many that are made onto their own pedestal. Many of these globes do very well just laying on the ground beside a garden path as if peeking out from a bed of hosta or other planting.
Globe Holders
 Pedestals to hold your gazing globe or garden ball come in many materials and sizes. The traditional hand-blown glass ball has a stem that is sometimes capped to keep the inside of the globe free of moisture. Not all pedestals are designed to hold glass globes. We try to help you when selecting a pedestal for your globe by stating in the pedestal description whether it can accommodate the neck of a glass ball and also the size globe the pedestal will fit. Some are designed for smaller diameter sizes (around 6”) but most are designed for the most common 10” and 12” size. Stainless steel globes and others that do not have stems can fit any gazing globe pedestal.
Pedestals made of metal should be anchored into the ground by metal spikes (some models include this) or by simply anchoring the legs of the pedestal into the ground. Stability is most important with glass balls for obvious reasons but also for stainless steel globes because they dint and scratch if they fall onto hard surfaces. Cast cement pedestals tend to be very heavy and can withstand most storm winds.
Once the pedestal is secure the garden ball itself either needs to be brought indoors or secured onto the pedestal during strong wind or stormy conditions. Some people use double sticky tape or Velcro strips to secure the globe to the pedestal. Just remember that you may have a sticky glue mark on the globe and pedestal if you ever decide to remove the tape or Velcro strips.
Further Reading
• The Glorious Garden Gazing Globe
• Winter Care of Your Garden Art
• Outdoor Decorative Touches for the Holidays
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