I'm sorry, I just realized this should probably be on the conversation side, right?

As Master Gardener Pres.in my county I and had everyone out to see my garden.I do have tons of plants and large ponds to look at but most of them were quite puzzled at my treasures.I had sent out a hint earlier in an email asking if anyone else had a BlueBottleii Tree? Some really expected a new tree speciman. They finally relaxed and one gal said Well,I am going to be adding garden art to my garden page for sure!
I just had a reporter interview me at home and she also made the remark that no one else had a garden like me. I was so happy my butterflies all showed off for her! As she passed my giant Lion and ducked under low branches coming out into the grandson garden she said ,I am really having a great time!{{gwi:162536}}
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I love all of your" garden art"! BUT, of course I would. Yes!! I have had "quiet visitors" to my garden. But I just feel not everyone likes the same things. Thats a good thing! So ENJOY!! And be proud of your creations. Jlily

I know a lot of people who don't get it either. I'm absolutely humored that these same people will go buy 'art' which is someone else's junk recycled and reassembled, but sold for big bucks.

I really like your fox on the stump.

I can So relate. LOL
My Mother loves my totems so talked me into donating one for the family reunion auction a couple of weeks ago. They had a tough time getting $2 for it! Everyone kept asking why did you glue vases to plates? LOL

Comically, my oldest dd bought it. I think she just wanted it to end.

I can relate too....I don't like showing someone a work in progress, because they just can't visualize how it is going to look in the garden (except for you guys...you all get it), but then when they see it among the flowers and things understand a little better than before.

I also think that some types of "garden junk" are more prevalent in some parts of the country than others....like bottle trees started in the south (right?) and I doubt anyone born and raised in NY ever heard of them or understand their history. The great thing about being on these boards is that we lose those cultural and regional boundaries and can appreciate the beauty of the piece regardless.

I had one neighbor tell another neighbor that I had way too much stuff in my yard. I guess compared to the previous owners, who had nothing, this is a big change for them. I did notice that the last few years, most of the neighbors have begun to pretty up their yards too...even the guy who said I have too much stuff has put a barrel of geraniums by his front door....LOL.

I know just what you mean....I've had a couple of women say, "You really like stuff in your gardens, don't you?"....As though that's bad!

But just stop and think...How you feel when someone takes you through their prim and proper....well trimmed and boring garden...one that has just mulch and bushes and a few flowers....Yawn!!!!

to each his own...and I'm darn glad I'm on THIS side...hehe

All the time! My own father is one of the worst! He will say things like "why do you have flowers planted in that wheelbarrow?" or "all this stuff will scare the birds away."
When BB's first became the hit I couldn't sell one to anyone to save myself yet several mysteriously disappeared from my yard.
"Old" is really out now too. Many people want new, modern, neat and tidy living areas, yards and gardens. Here where I live there are so many new expensive homes being built and they all want neatness and perfection. Its boring if you ask me.:)
Garden Junk is expression. Many people these days don't have a clue how to create or express. That's why it baffles them.:)

I have also had silent visitors, and then the ones that truly get it and just go bananas! What it comes down to for me, is this: I enjoy it and I really don't care if others do, except for my husband. At first I used lots of junk to fill in for teeny plants and bushes and trees, and now it is just some of the best parts of my garden. Every year my favorites change, with the foliage filling the bare spots some of the junk doesn't stand out so much, but that is ok, I can always move it around.

Lynne
who thinks countrygirl has just about the prettiest front to her home she has ever seen!

I'm curious on this note how many of you have downsized your lawns since owning your property. Our place used to be all yard. There really was nothing else. When he became homeowners and started taking care of the yard the landscaping also began! We have probably cut our lawn down by half to make way for plants that (predominantly) provide either food or habitat for critters instead. My parents think I'm insane. After growing up in the suburbs of Eastern Washington where a well-groomed lawn is all defining I'm sure my poor folks are wondering where they went wrong with me.

Personally I prefer the company of butterflies and frogs to a picture perfect lawn any day.

Kate

I guess you're all right. I'm just the type that, no matter what type of garden I'm looking at, I'll find something positive to say! I figure, if they put an object in their garden, it must be important to them. Adina, several of my neighbors have also started sprucing up their front yards. It just makes the neighborhood that much nicer to look at!

I was thinking about the Garden Walks....Nearly all of them are of Gardens that have cute ideas that people are looking for. I've never been on one that was just grass with bushes well trimmed. They always have uniqueness...that usually equals what we call Garden Junk.

Hey Ya'll..... don't be upset.... if all of them guys like it then they would be getting some of our treasures and great finds... tee hee... just kidding i'm surrrrre there is enough curb finds for everyone... and If ONLY those poor guys would stop and take time to be creative they toooooooooo could be happy like us!!!
God Bless ya'll and God Bless America !

I've never done a garden tour in my area with anything but flowers! Might be rude to say.....but "MONEY PEOPLE'
that tour gardens for something to do........have no respect for our stuff! They'd never think of... or want to recycle anything! Don't give 1/2 a thought about it!

Hazie

Yes, some don't get it, but that's what makes us all unique. I'm glad to look at other folks' yards, but at the end of the day, all that really matters, is that you love it.
Most people today have lost the ability to think outside the box, if you will. People go by our house, and you can tell that they have no idea how to think on their own anymore.
I own a primitive, folkart store, and alot of people don't even know how to decorate their homes. People have lost that, with all the technology, and the busyness, they can't figure things out.
So don't worry, just do your thing.

I had high hopes for my large garden a few years ago. Have lots of 'junk'. Totems, old lamp sculpures, BBs and more. Was getting everything going and was really enthused. I was like some of you and hoped to invite folks to see my garden and treasures. Now I am so far behind, due to circumstances, that I am a little discouraged. Read 'my page' and see my web site
for all that has happened, plus the illness, and death of my DH.
I plan to turn over a 'new leaf' this winter and next spring, but it wll be basicly like starting over, except that the plants will mostly be in place.

http://members.cox.net/nonacook

Yep, I've experienced that too. But I don't let it bother me. To each his own. I've never liked a "stuffy" garden where everything looks like it's just too perfect. I prefer the country garden junk!!! And I love my garden!!
I finally got my DH to like it too. He said my garden was the prettiest it's ever been this year.
So let those people have their boring stuffy gardens, we garden junkers have much more interesting things to look at!

A few years ago, I had the neighbors almost hitting the ditch when they spotted the "Time Out" kid leaning against a small child's bike dumped over on the shoulder of my property!!! Now - it looks as if I have Tootsie Pops growing in my field - AKA BBs - bejeweled or just painted - resting atop rebar sticks!!!!! I would love to be a mouse in the corner as they discuss what the "whacko woman" is up to now!!!!!

It's so funny my post has popped up again. Yesterday the little girl next door said her schoolbus driver keeps asking her to ask me where I got the tall glass things(totems) in my garden. I told her to tell the driver that I made them. Today the girl said the driver would like to talk to me about making one for her! And I've had total strangers who were walking by say things like that I always have such a cute yard. Makes my day!