Garden objects, part I
Don’t try this at home. Garden gnomes in their native habitat (Dunster, GB).
Let’s get right to it, shall we?
First, it was the frogs. “I have 8 (eight) frogs in the garden,” she said. “I ask the kids if they can find them all.”
Then there were the boots. “I have 8 (eight) boots hidden in the garden,” she said. "I ask them if they can find them all.”
OK. But why must it be eight? Why must it be frogs? Why must it be boots?
Before I can answer those questions, I first have to know:
When you have a garden that’s filled with scent, color, design, and amazing feats of horticultural prowess, why, in the name of god, why, would you feel it necessary to top it all off with a sculpture of an insipid girl child, holding out her arms as if to assume responsibility for all the beauty created and to gather it all in.
I don’t get it. If at all possible, we should try our best to keep our gardens free of inanimate creatures and extraneous objects. We don’t though.
It’s a fine line.
Comments
And I actually would like to get a nice birdbath...so the birds will stop bathing in the puddles in our driveway. :o)
And on the patio are a cast iron pig (DD year of the pig) and a rooster (DD year of the rooster)
And I do have a few bird baths placed for the birds - and plan to get a butterfly bowl . . .
And then there is Buddha . . .
I won't even mention the "Beware of Attack Squirrel" sign on the fence least you judge ;)
You have to keep an eye on them. I think Doc is making a break for it at the back of the encampment.
Let's see, for inanima, I have:
- A turtle
- A "Green Man" plaque with leaves around and bugs upon his face
- A gargoyle. He's my favorite.
I think that's it. Other non-plant objects are either practical, like a chimenea or stepping stones, atmospheric, like chimes, or abstract-decorative, like a black granite sphere.
My partner keeps threatening to get me a gnome. I warn that if that happens, it will be "disappeared" suddenly and unpredictably.
I'm thinking of chucking the whole thing out into the garden. Can you see a tiny townhouse lurking under the lilacs? Someone stop me!
I don't mind personal expression. And, I DO like fun in the garden! To each his own. I don't have any gnomes and really not much in the way of objects...a few birdbaths, some ceramic mushrooms (they're nice!), and...well, that's about it...although I do have a couple of really neato things to hang, if I ever make up mind where they should go.
But, the point is...(what was the point??!)....oh yeah, vive la difference or something like that!
Like your blog very much!
Brightly colored statues can be a bit distracting, but probably fun for kids. The insipid girl sculpture you describe makes me want to barf.
They are gnomes as they should be done, and don't look as caged in in person--sorry for the bad picture.
Gardeners put "art" in their gardens because it makes them happy. What's wrong with that? Why must everyone's garden adhere to a Martha Stewart Living, or EAL, standard? Not every visitor has to like it, and to each his own. And some displays, like these gnomes, are clearly meant to be funny.
I do look forward to Part 2, Elizabeth. You have a way with controversial posts. ;-)
But--as to objects--it's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. I've seen way too much schlock in way too many gardens. When you notice the doggies, fairies, and stained glass butterflies more than the plants, there's a problem.
Thanks for reading! We can't all always agree--as you note, it would be pretty boring if we did.
In my garden, we have pretty stone birdbaths, and one gnome lost somewhere in the shrubbery. He's been lost and long-forgotten, poor thing. For the most part I enjoy seeing gardens with plants and maybe some stone, continuing the theme of nature, but too many painted objects certainly can be a bit much.
I currently have a blog undergoing some major transition, but in the future I am planning on gearing my blog toward gardening and my related hobbies. Your blog is inspiring to me as a new blogger, thank you!