And not all of the yard art is purely ornamental. I've stolen at least one of Gerry's ideas for using a broken terra cotta pot. Mine and hers both somehow lost their bottoms to the cold and frost. She turned hers over on its side and planted it so that the flowers seemed to spill out of it. Her display changes seasonally - mine is planted with Kentucky Colonel mint (for juleps) because the container confines it and keeps it from taking over my yard.
Chairs, too, become garden art. Many are benches picturesquely tucked away in private corners. A few serve as pedestals for small pieces of sculpture - and a few even serve as functional planters. Gerry has a turf seat planted in her private garden, sitting on a chamomile lawn. In the sales area there are two more chairs, planted in brightly colored flowers - a great idea for those of us still hanging onto told chairs with broken caning.
I have only been able to show you a few of the highlights of this garden full of enchanting surprises. Partly that's because of length limitations here, partly because so many are tucked away beyond the reach of the camera - and in a few cases because my pictures just plain didn't come out. But I have saved the best til last - the real highlight of the gardens, and one that most visitors, myself included, beg to be allowed to take home.
Meet Lily of the Valley - the newest resident of the cat garden, lounging near the catnip - which brings the total number of cats in that garden up from the original three to four. But even if that may seem to be a cat or two too many for one small garden, I think you'll have to agree - Lily is definitely NOT tacky.
Don't forget to check out the rest of our Tacky Yard Art Celebration and Event. Tons of great articles - tons of fun, prizes and more - and remember - you can't win if you don't send it in.
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