Interactive Garden Art - More from Susi Torre-Bueno

Last week we looked at Susi Torre-Bueno's Flamingo Parade - a lineup about as suspect as you can imagine when dealing with Tacky Yard Art - except that this parade was a popular favorite among contest commentators. They loved it. Many of you wanted to see more of the art in the Torre-Bueno yard. So - ask. And you shall receive.

And speaking of asking - I'll be asking Susi a few questions in order to let her do the talking.

CW: How you feel about decor for gardens in general - likes and dislikes.

SB-T I think that a garden should be as personal as possible, reflecting the passions of its creator. For that reason, décor (aside from plant material, unless one counts topiary as décor) should do likewise, and be there to both enhance the flora (and fauna, if appropriate) and/or to tickle the imagination.

However, I don't think that the décor should overwhelm the plants - that makes a garden into an hardscape or outdoor sculpture gallery with some greenery thrown in. The décor should be appropriate to the mood of the garden (tasteful teak tables and chairs in a formal garden, pink flamingoes in a lighthearted one).

Whimsy gains a foothold - Interactive Garden Art

CW: Can you tell us a bit about the other forms of art in your garden?

SB-T "I also started adding a great many faux lizards,frogs and snakes to the garden. The San Diego Zoo sells very realistic-looking ones that hold up well outdoors, and I've probably purchased over 200. I keep a supply of them on a giant metal leaf tray by the back porch, and whenever folks come over they're invited to put the critters anywhere in the garden they like, as long as they're still visible and not under a rock or mulch, etc. It's tons of fun, especially for the kids, and people know they can re-arrange any of the animals they find in the garden. Easier to have than real animals, although we DO have real snakes - rattlers, king snakes, gopher snakes - all of which I love, real lizards, and once in a while a real frog.

No plan, really, for these decorative touches - totally whimsy. If I see something I like, I buy it." CW: Is there any "traditional" art in your garden? Do you prefer to work with found objects?

SB-T If you mean things like stone busts or the sort of garden art you might see in the ads in Garden Design magazine, no. Perhaps the most traditional thing I have is a fountain in the entry courtyard of our house - but even that is unusual because it is a 6' diameter circle of glass with water spilling quietly over the rim.

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