I have to make a confession.
It’s not something that most people would own up to.
I love garden gnomes!
There… I said it.
There is a short story by Frank Jones called “Wish You Were Here”. In it, a woman receives postcards from the garden gnome that mysteriously disappears from her garden. Then all sorts of weird stuff happens, and it doesn’t end well. But I really like the story. Hell, I taught the story (back in the days when I’d wear blazers and spend hours talking to classes of teenagers) – and it always went over well.
So I have a little thing for gnomes. I feel like they are impish and maybe a bit mysterious. And if they’re on your side, then they’ll watch over your garden.
Maybe they’ll even give that deer a sock in the nose as it tries to eat your tulips/garden/veggies/everything.
When I saw this fella at a horrifically overpriced nursery, I didn’t think for a minute. You’re coming with me, Mr. Adorable.
Oh, you have a brother? Well, invite him too!
I mean. Come on. They’re gnomes balancing on nuts. How can you say no to that?
My garden ornament love started with this frog prince that was gifted to me by my girlfriend many years ago. I love him. And as his paint peels off, I love his distressed look even more. It’s a little fairy tale in the garden.
Also, please ignore that my cilantro has completely gone to seed and is trying to “photo-bomb” this portrait. Cilantro has attitude. I’ve got my eye on that guy.
Grandma Golfer brought these guys back from Mexico. They’re such a happy addition to my garden. (You’ll notice that this is the low-maintenance part of the garden – hooray for lava rock!) The red pops against the earthy tones; they’re often the first ornaments to be noticed in our yard.
Even though garden ornaments have gotten a bad rap — associated with plastic deer, flamingos, and algae-infested bird baths — I love them. I feel like they add a bit of magic to the garden. I so long to have a menagerie of animals and gnomes and doo-dads in the backyard, but I know that would ruin the surprise of noticing the little elf hat in the pot of impatiens.
What say you when it comes to garden ornaments? Yay or nay?
And let’s be honest: have you ever stolen a garden gnome?
Follow Along On Our Backyard Tour (as well as the hijinx we’re regularly up to):
18 comments
Leslie
I adore lawn ornaments too! In moderation, of course 🙂 I’ve name all of mine! My newest addition is Gerhardt…he’s a gnome that I painted as a Mother’s Day/Birthday gift from my daughter (who HATES gnomes but knew that I would want to paint one myself).
Tara
How could anyone hate gnomes? They’re so friendly looking… yet fiendish too! I should name mine. That’s such a good idea. And I love that yours has a very “grown-up name”. Much better than “Twinkles” or “Grumpy’! 🙂
Krista @ the happy housie
I love gnomes!! I bought my dad one last year for Father’s Day and my mom really didn’t seem to take to having it in her beloved garden. I mean, some people go a little over the top with them, but one or two appropriately placed gnomes really makes the garden! Can’t wait to see your yard after the sod was slowly drowned…we hydroseeded our yard last year and it looked gorgeous last summer but looks like only 1/100 grass blades survived the winter. Wonder if sod is better…
Tara
I’d say that sod is a pretty sure bet, but it can be a bit particular when the weather is nasty (and what can you do about that?). Our grass is pretty green, but there are some weird bare patches where the grass just didn’t take. I don’t know how much hydroseeding is, so I can’t compare prices, but sod was less expensive than I thought it would be.
I think that gnomes – when carefully placed – are fabulous! I’m sorry that your mom didn’t agree! 😉
Kadie
I like lawn art too! Your little gnomes and ants are adorable! I have been wanting to get more, I just need to find the perfect little people that my little people wont break. lol
Tara
Little people can be a bit of a buzzkill when it comes to pretty things, can’t they? Thankfully, the girls have just looked (and not clanged together) most of my lawn art. I think it’s because we have tonnes of brightly coloured plastic thing-a-ma-bobs in the middle of the yard to distract them! 😉
Alli
Love it! And the fact that my cilantro is not the only rebel with a cause! Great storytelling!
Tara
My cilantro has been completely insubordinate since I bought it at the nursery. It just bolted and went to seed right away. I’m going to try to harness his bad attitude and capture some of the seeds.
So glad that you enjoyed the post! 🙂
Kirsten @ One Tough Mother
I love your little gnomes! And I just checked out Part 1 to this post and WOW! Your backyard looks fabulous! We are working on our mess of a backyard but have a long way to go. Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
Tara
Thank you so much, Kirsten! It’s come a long way; can’t wait to share the final pictures next week!
Callista
I’m loving your funky gnomes! A few are definitely a fun addition to a garden 🙂
Tara
You’re so right – a few are great. I need to reign in my desire to collect a few more. (Who am I kidding? I know that I’ll end up with more. I have a problem).
Amy of while wearing heels
Ever since Amelie I am uttly obsessed with garden gnomes. Obsessed. I love the ones you found. If I lived closer I’d be tempted to borrow yours and mail you a few post cards 😉
Tara
I forgot about Amelie (and how could I have done that? What a great movie!) I should probably stake out my neighbourhood and see if a gnome or two wants to go on a little trip! (Actually…. there’s a gnome next door that might want to do a little travelling! Hmmm…. should I?)
letitia kaya
Haha I once stole a gnome that was sitting in a front yard looking all sad and rejected for my friend who was obsessed with him. That was 7 years ago. she still has him ahaha
Tara
I’m so glad that she still has him. And if she’s obsessed with him, then maybe he found his “rightful owner”? I don’t know if I have the balls to steal a gnome… but I’m thinking about it! 😉
letitia kaya
7 years ago I was 17. Not a care on the world. I would probably feel too bad if I did it now :p
ByLightOfMoon
I adore your garden, Love Fairies, Gnomes, Hobbits!
Smiles, Cyndi