April’s arrival signals the return of color as the garden once again takes center stage. It is also National Art Glass Month, and what better way to complement your outdoor scenery than with an original glass piece?

“Glass garden art reflects the beauty of nature and provides year-round color,” says Kriss Rogers, owner of Outside Envy in Westerville.

Her store sells more than 200 glass hummingbird feeders, many of which are made from recycled glass, as well as stained glass pieces made from two local artists – Thom Wendt from A Glass Act Art Glass Studio in Westerville and John Paglialunga from Living Earth Art Glass in Johnstown – and a line of glass birdbaths and a collection of sun catchers and ornaments. To her, glass is an innate addition to a natural setting.

“Beautiful outdoor living spaces can be created using a combination of glass, water, lights and plants,” she says. Visit www.outside-envy.com.  

The Franklin Park Conservatory Gift Shop is also a necessary stop for unique garden glass seekers. The Hot Shop features glass-blowing demonstrations and classes for those interested in creating their own works of art. Big outdoor sellers at the Botanica Gift Shop include decorative glass balls, sun catchers and glass stakes. If you’re more of the indoors-y type, you can’t go wrong with a Chihuly Studio Edition piece from artist Dale Chihuly. Visit www.fpconservatory.org.