Garden Gnomes and other creatures

What is the thought of you all about ceramic-concrete-terracotta or whatever creatures in the garden? I know that The Nut has a gargoyle, who else? What do you think about this kind of decoration?

I am not as a rule fond of colourful garden statuary of whatever size, but sometimes a well chosen, cute or ironic piece somewhere adds a smile to the garden. I am appalled by crowded gardens where gnomes, swans, windmills and smiling foxes are more numerous than flowers, although, some of the most kitsch displays can sometimes achieve a strange appeal. One of the most absurd collections I ever saw was a Snowywhite with eight dwarves. Snowywhite was to stand in the middle, and there was no way, apparently, to settle seven dwarves in a nice symmetric way. I don't remember which of the dwarves was doubled. There are some impressing examples of populated gardens in my neighbourhood, it seems to be a successful style in these parts. There is also an elderly guy with a perfectly sober garden, but a whole population of gnomes and trolls lurking in the garage. I saw it with my waking, disbelieving eyes.

Today I visited a private garden some 25 km from here, very discreetly alive with tiny ceramic presences. The owner makes them herself, and I think they are very beautiful, cute and natural, leaves, birds, snails, red hot chilies, mice. I photographed this little bird bowl, may be this piece transcends the gnome discussion and is actually almost in the realm of art in the garden,but anyways. What are your thoughts on the subject?

 

I think a well placed piece or two can work well. I prefer those that are purposefully understated rather than acting as a centerpiece.

I don't have any in my garden.

The problem is that most people don't have "the eye" for choosing something pleasant. Instead they get those garish things that garden centres sell by the truck load.

Ant.

 

I would not have garden gnomes in my garden but I love to see a garden full of them - especially front gardens so that people walking past can enjoy them.

 

The Best gnome is a Dead gnome

 

It depends on the style of the garden.
Anything other than a bird bath would look out of place in mine, but in some gardens statues can look good.
But I must say that as far as I'm concerned gnomes should be strangled at birth:D

 

i actually thought about makeing gnomes an the like in the winter months to boost me income :D never got round to it though :(

 

I cant stand gnomes.

Well made metal animal sculptures can be quite intresting but not concrete ones

 

oh dear

 

All my own work that:D got to admit the pennys good isnt it :thumb: i was thinking of doing a carboot or summut theres a hell of alot of proffit in it you know

 

The cat is good but I still wouldnt want him in my garden!

One place i do the hedge at twice a year and is jam packed with gnomes, The woman wraps them in buble wrap b4 I start and dusts them as she uncovers them.

Folk either seem to have none or hundreds.

 

The garden opposite ours has loads of gnomes, windmills, animals and all the children love to stop and look at them on there way to school. For me though I hate them. It's a bit of a joke with one of my hubbys friends, he loves them and has quite a few in his garden and has said he is going to leave them all to me in his will.!!!

 

I like the Penny Stepping stone Spud..

 

Well I've got two plastic gnomes and both were presented to me by colleagues at various stages in my career. One is a 'multi-tasking' fishing gnome with a computer chip on the end of his line (from my days in IT) the other a grey bearded gardening gnome who my last staff thought looked like me! I'm not daft about plastic gnomes but these have sentimental value.
We've also got a cement? snoozing dragon - a birthday present from daughter and a 'marble' head of 'David' - these are both half hidden in shubbery and actually look quite tasteful.

 

Spud, if it makes money, who cares?:D