Gardening joins art for Christmas


By GEOFF MIERS

Warm the hearts of owners, friends, family and children with garden-related gifts – plants, gardening books, patio furniture, sculptures, fire bowls and much more.

They tend to have a more personal touch – a living plant will keep growing and every Christmas you might wonder who gave you that tree or shrub.

There are often many fillers that can be found at your local nursery, items that add a bit of color to the garden. Garden gnomes, decorative beetles, butterflies or insect sculptures to add to pots or things that can provide entertainment and activities for children during the Christmas holidays.

Don’t forget the colorful mini windmills or wind socks that will add color to the garden, patio or kindergarten.

Stick fairies and miniature mushrooms for the fairy garden are an absolute hit with young children. Wind chimes are another great gift that adds music to your garden and can be enjoyed by anyone.

Plants make great Christmas gifts, of course, as they make a living, lasting gift that can be enjoyed from weeks to years.

A special tree that will last for decades is most certainly a lasting gift, a hanging basket in full bloom will always please or even a tray or small pot of full blooming petunias make a great visual display when planted.

Alternatively, a pretty houseplant or patio plant with a very special decorative pot makes a compact, practical and lively gift that will be loved by everyone.

Garden sculptures and water features are always a great gift idea as they both add special charm and magic to the garden.

There are so many wonderful garden sculptures available today beyond the standard garden gnome. This is not meant to demean the garden gnome, I love to see them appear in mysterious corners of the garden.

Metal and wire sculptures are increasingly popular. To walk in a garden and find a parade of small ducks, a frilled lizard or a large Brolga near a body of water. They all add a little more charm to the garden.

Wall art has become more and more popular in recent years or alternatively consider garden furniture. Table and chairs, umbrellas, poolside seating and banquettes are just a few examples of popular patio furniture.

For something quite different, consider affordable table and chair sets, a practical gift that can add to your patio decor or for a sheltered nook in your backyard.

There is nothing better than being outside with a cold drink on a summer day. A fun minivan or insulated 1949 Ford truck coolers / eskies designed by Aaron Jackson and made from recycled metal are useful color additions for outdoor living.

Made in Vietnam, these items are colorful and can be used as an eskie, a container to hold toys or can just sit in the garden like a sculpture.

For a focal point in the garden, consider the Out of Africa fire bowls that can be used as a fire bowl, water cooler, or planter. They are bold and will last for decades.

As a great alternative to a living gift, water feature, or static sculpture, consider a gardening book. They can be fun, colorful and informative and can be taken with you as you move from garden to garden.

The range of gifts available at local nurseries is vast. Some are stocking fillers, some just add summer cheer for the holiday season while others add charm, mystique and character to the garden. Add to these the practical gifts or the long lasting informative and colorful texts that you can take with you as you move from one garden to another.


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