Mannequin as garden ornament

Anna (senior management) has bought an Italian, GRP (I think) silver painted fashion mannequin with a view to planting her in the garden and using her as a focal point. Where the idea came from I don't know, it was sprung on me as a surprise. Thankfully it was very cheap (£15 or something silly)
Her idea is to plant her somewhere suitable, then using chicken wire (or something similar that we haven't thought of) get plants to grow and she will represent 'Mother Earth'.
Now then - any ideas of what, other than chicken wire, we could use to get plants to grow up, without spoiling the womanly figure. Or i chicken wire as good as anything?

next up. What kind of plants to use? Anna has suggested alpines, because they won't need much looking after or watering. I thought of a clematis, but we haven't had much success with them in the past and will probably take over and bury the figurine.

So, collective wisdom please!

 

https://uk.pinterest.com/mannequinmadnes/floral-design-with-mannequins/

Some lovely ideas on the above link ......but what about dressing her up as Mother Earth for Mothers day then in a couple of weeks she could be in a Rugby theme for your team if your sides in the final ...then Mother Easter with her chick bonnet .... Mother Christmas , Mother Hogmanay, then you could change her for each seasonal occasion Winter Spring Summer Autumn you could have any event that is personal to you or your family friends ie: Birthdays Wedding ,Christening , Engagement ...if your having a garden party you could surprise everyone if someone is having a special life event .....the list is endless LOL what fun you could have coming up with so many ideas ....I've convinced myself now I want one

 

Was thinking the same @BeeHappy, just dress her up! I so would if I had one in the garden too.. boas, trilbys, tassels, the lot! Have seen them used for scarecrows mind?! But in all seriousness, I'd plant things around it like shiney. His is lush!

 

@Lynd she would be lovely surrounded by loads of different seasonal plants Oooo luv the Boa not sure about the Tassels thou where could this thread could end up

 

These are my ALL time favorites in Garden structures -LOVE LOVE LOVE UM!!!


http://www.fantasywire.co.uk/index.html
http://www.fantasywire.co.uk/fairies.html

 

Hmmm. Anna not struck on the dressing ideas. She was more thinking of the woman in the Lost Garden of Heligan (a friend works there).

I have wondered about painting her either bronze, so she looks like a sculpture (not as classy as the alabaster one above, nor is the garden) or painting her a green to look like she is covered in moss.

Still undecided. Keep the ideas coming - we have yet to decide on WHERE she is going even!

 

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@Simon Everett everett Maybe more this idea then ......she is very beautiful the more classy and natural look......and once again I WANT one LOL

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/198862139774575511/

 

Indeedy...that is exactly the kind of thing Anna had in mind - not moss behind wire though, because the birds nick it for nesting!

I can't see the link - it wants to invade my confuser and is demanding I sign up for things.....i am always frightened by anything that demands I sign up or let them have access to my lists. That is why I ditched the smartphone idea - they just want to have access to your whereabouts, your contacts lists, everything. they can bu**er off.

 

Pinterest isn't harmful but can be if you lurk to long.. it leads you to creative cr@p and you end up wanting a sewing machine and shabby chic dressers that are fit for the bin. So your right not to sign up (btw I love pinterest)

 

@Simon Everett i went and got the details for you if you need them you'll need to get stirring thou LOL ....not sure if the birds will be able to take it off as i've done something similar using yogurt and earth with my breeze block wall its covering quite well now and they don't seem to bother with that

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-grow-you-119033
I love outdoor spaces filled with overgrown blooms, piles of mismatched pots, bits and bobs of weathered sculpture, and richly textured blankets of moss. Though moss could be associated with the words 'dilapidated' or 'swampy', it is actually a very healthy vegetation in that it has no known pests or diseases. It's also extremely forgiving and requires little to no maintenance. It's soft on your feet if used as a ground cover, stays green throughout colder months, and is really easy to propagate.

What You Need
Ingredients
Existing sample moss from a yard or a garden store. It can be dead or alive.
Equal parts buttermilk and water

Tools
A blender
A paintbrush (optional)

Instructions
1. Measure two cups of water and two cups of buttermilk.

2. Pour both into the blender.

3. Top with moss to fill the blender.

4. Blend until you have a milkshake consistency. You want the existing moss to separate.

5. Paint or pour the mixture on rocks, fences, foundation, bricks, ceramic pots, trees or wherever you'd like to see moss grow. You can get creative and draw pictures if you'd like, or write things if you're feeling fancy.

Additional Notes:
Use a mister to keep moss moist for the first couple of weeks, and if possible grow your moss in a shaded area. The moss should start to grow within 3 weeks.

 

That sounds good above - thank you.