I have no objections....change is always nice.

I've always wondered why that was the front image when there are hundreds that would have been better.

Tracy

Hi Lorna,
I've no objection to changing the picture. I'm just wondering about the photo. I don't know the photo. Has it been shrunk down to the small size to see if it still looks good? You may have already done it, but I just want to make sure because small photos sometimes become difficult to discern what is in it. Like the pic we have now, what is that lady holding? a bag of something? a kid? lol.
Remy

Remy, the photo is the first under the thread "It is time for my roses to shine" by Friend. You are right, size is definitiely a consideration.

Lorna

You've got my vote.

It doesn't make a lot of difference to me what picture is used, but if the current one is going to be changed, should Friend's picture, nice though it is, be our only option for a new one? There have been so many beautiful, cottage garden photos posted here, it seems a shame to not consider some of them as well.

Just call me troublemaker. :-)

ThinMan

I have an idea of where the current photo originated but not how it was chosen.
Garden Web was a project of one person, Spike (he has a name, but I forget what it is).

My best guess is that Spike chose non-copyrighted pictures or some with permissions to GW that he thought best illustrated the various forums,
the one here being a thatched roof cottage with the gardener and child, a little fence and massed blooming plants.
Perhaps someone who has been on GW longer than I (2003) knows more about how Spike chose the pics.

Eventually Spike sold this very popular site to iVillage and there were many changes and much controversy.
Since that time, some pics have been changed. The link tells the story of one such change.

Nell

Here is a link that might be useful: How Far North Gardening went from Leggy Petunia pic to Snowy Rose

No objections here
as for the old woman in
the picture she is holding
a little girl wearing a yellow
bonet.

Blueangel

Of all the photos I've seen posted on this forum, I thought Friend's photo of the child (her son) playing in the bird bath amongst the flower most exemplified a cottage garden. I suppose the idea could be made into a contest, but that might lead to hurt feelings. That wasn't what I had in mind. Truth be told, I don't care much for the image in use. So many people said nice things about Friend's photo, it inspired me with the thought that perhaps a change could be made--her photo swapped for the image we have. Friend, could you please post your photo here, smaller, so anybody who isn't familiar with the photo can know what we are talking about?

Thanks for the history, Nell. Very interesting!

I just realized, I no longer get any pic a t all!

I'm new here so don't really feel I should be expressing my opinion. I do think, though, that it would be nice to have a rotation of pictures if that's possible. And I liked Friend's picture and all others I've seen on this forum. I think they're all symbolic of what cottage gardening means.

Mary

I think a rotation would be nice also...there are always so often nice pics posted...a random rotation might be nice..but all posters would have to agree when posting that the pic might be used.

I too LOVED friends pic, but I dont think it is the only good pic that has been posted here. It is rather one of many over the several years I have been here. I vote either leave the picture as it as it is.."safe" or use a picture rotation from the gallery..that would be fair to all good pics and fellow gardeners and posters and a nice way to personalize the forum. Friends pic could then be used as a rotation pic along with other good presently posted pictures and future posted pictures..

Would a rotation be allowed? I love the picture of friend's little guy at the birdbath, it is so adorable, but I also I think Keesha's idea is a good one. There have been so many great pictures posted on this forum. Could we start a thread of great cottage pictures over in the gallery, past and present, with a heading no comments, just a picture please, then whoever is choosing doesn't have to wade through a lot of text. There are too many for me to mention but if we all posted the best picture we have that depicts our version of a cottage garden and then let the powers that be choose or rotate, their choice. As to the length of time it remains will also be up to them. I think that would be great. If this is not possible I think it should stay as it is.
Annette

The pic was changed on the Growing Tomatoes forum a number of years ago. Can't remember if Spike (aka Bob) was still lord and master. The photo of the little boy is cute, but I've seen a number here that would be more representative of a cottage garden. I have a feeling asking for a rotating photo is expecting a bit much.

As lovely a picture as it is, nevertheless, I feel that once reduced down to a size similar to the current picture, it will be a boy playing in a birdbath surrounded by unidentifiable greenery.

I really don't see any problem with the current picture - a woman in front of a cottage, and cottage garden, holding a child. Have no problem with a change, though, as long as it does portray a cottage garden.

I've often wondered about the header photos ... our NJ forum photo is pansies ...??? ... not even our state flower, the common meadow violet.

I like it just the way it is. I've been coming here a long time and the pic is a nice reminder of those early days of new friendships built around our common love of this style of gardening. : )

Diana

You could always have those who wanted to submit a picture for consideration post it in one thread and then have everyone vote on which picture they think best epitomizes a cottage garden (and include the original picture as an option, too).

Sorry, I can't shut up.

Mary

it's interesting to see everyone's definition of a cottage garden.. How some thought it was so cottagey. some thought ti was but there was better examples and some thought it wasnt cottagey at all (phooey) . haha

But anyway- i posted a response on the other posting where the pics is posted. Thank you all for the kind words and I too think that a rotation woudl be sooo much fun.

I just think we should put one up and then when we see really amaxzing pics- we shoudl jsut say- these need to be the new pic! no minimum or maximum amount of time.. :)
or we can scrap the whoel idea and just evreytime we liek someone's pic we say " This should be in the rotation of the main pic for cottage gardens , which never gets changed. but in our imaginary rotation- you make the cut!"

haha
it's an honor just being told people liek the pic _ that's the point i'm making.
Lorna- you are a sweetie.. and truth be told i dont care much for the other pic either. i can think of TONS of pics posted here which are better examples. :) you are right.

I don't think a rotation is feasible. It requires voting on which photos are acceptable for rotation. Someone would have to manage a picture file and request Garden Web to make a change every few weeks. I doubt GW administration would welcome dealing with a rotation.

Probably best to leave well enough alone. It has occurred to me that none of us actually lives in a cottage. I think cottage garden style basically means a wide variety of plants which are planted to merge and compliment each other. A formal garden, I think, is more austere--rather lack luster.
Lorna

I tend to agree to keep the existing picture - I think a contest or whatever might end up hurting people's feelings, which would be very un-cottage-y.

But, I think friend is right that now we have a new compliment to give - "This pic could've been on the welcome page!"

I think there are some remarkably talented gardeners/photographers who post in this forum, but I personally would not want to see it turn into a competitive-voting situation as to who's picture(s) would be included in a rotation, and who's would not. I see the potential for hurt feelings.

Part of my job responsibilities include being the "Web-Mistress" for my department's link, on our corporate website. Before I can post material it needs to be signed off on, and often involves a review by an attorney in our Legal Dept. It's not as simple as someone just coming up to me and saying put this on the website. I don't know if I Village wants to involve themselves in something like this, either.

As far as what represents a cottage garden, I think opinions would vary on this, too.

For example, I think Friend's photo is a very sweet portrait of her beautiful son enjoying a warm, summer day. She has captured a special, tender moment in son's life!

The focus (and rightly so, I think) is on her child rather than her garden. I view the garden as a frame surrounding her son, rather than a photo of a cottage garden, per se.

I think the current picture has an old-world cottage charm to it that, to me, has a cozy, cottage-y feel to it.

Marilyn

I think Marilyn is right, best to leave it alone.
Annette

I also agree with Marilyn,

*I think the current picture has an old-world cottage charm to it that, to me, has a cozy, cottage-y feel to it.*

The woman is holding her baby, in front of her cottage that is surrounded with lovely plants and blooms.

Friend's picture is a sweet momento of her little son in her lovely gardens. We've seen many wonderful photos here, many worthy of being the image for the start page. But I think GW wouldn't go for changing pictures all the time. GW is a huge community and I'm sure it's hard enough to keep it going smoothly as it is.

Plus, we do not want to hurt anyone's feelings with some sort of competition.

Our photos are to share our love of gardening, we are inspired by them, and we learn from them also.

I am thankful to all who share their wonderful gardens, big or small, with all of us here. They are always a treat, each one is like going on a mini vacation, a little tour into someone else's private domain.

Sincerely ~ FlowerLady

(it's interesting to see everyone's definition of a cottage garden..) yes it is freind.
and we all garden in different parts of this
great country.
Our styles are ours and so are our gardens there
are no two alike.Just as the cottage garden,the
theme is so differant from one to another.
I garden in the southeast and freind in the northeast
angelcub in Ca. our gardens would no longer be the same
as the moon and the sun,but our gardens are still a cottage
garden to us.
The ideal cottage garden is in our minds.
This I have in the garden on a stone,

God is in charge of the flowers and trees
I am in charge of the weeds and seeds.

Blueangel

I like the start up page. A few years back we had a discussion on Sam's garden (The Hobbit) and how cute and cottagey is was. The photo always reminds me of Sam's garden.

Friend, you can always create a start up page and use that photo. It would be darling.

Edna

Edna- Sam's garden ( the Hobbit) totally is cottagey!
thank you all for your lovely sentiments. :)

Does anyone know the name of the painting? My daughter has always loved looking over my shoulder at that picture, and I would love to be able to order a print.
~Renee