Weird & Wonderful
People often ask me what’s the most peculiar/beautiful/ bizarre/artistic/ thing I’ve ever seen in a garden. Of course all of those things are in the eye of the beholder so something I might take home in a heartbeat would not necessarily appeal to Someone Else. In fact Someone Else will frequently point out a decorative item at the garden centre and wonder loudly whether we should buy it, and I can never tell whether he’s serious or not. Having just reviewed all these images of the weird and wonderful items people have on display, I’m determined to loosen up and find something truly out of character to lighten the tone in our garden.
Austin
The Landscaper was much encouraged by this garden ‘sculpture’ we saw in Taranaki, figuring that if you could cover an Austin Cambridge in ivy, you could do the same to a difficult bank. I just liked it for its quirkiness, and that it turned what might have become a landfill relic into a work of art that draws smiles from all who see it.
Barry
It’s a great idea to have a sculpture or an image of someone you admire in your garden. I’ve seen quite a few Einsteins, a couple of royals and a Marilyn Monroe, but this stone carving of Barry Crump really is a masterpiece. It’s on display alongside a similarly well executed truck.
Grass seat
No, I don’t know how to make one of these and nor do I know how long it would last if you sat on it and drank your glass of wine every evening. But it’s definitely a conversation piece and every home should have one.
Topiaries
Sometimes, when you’re travelling through rural Southland, there’s not that much to grab your attention, but these topiaries near Edendale had us slamming on the brakes and then laughing till we cried. They are the most spectacular twosome you could hope to meet and take first prize for the most bizarre topiary we’ve ever seen. Unfortunately their creators weren’t home so we’re still none the wiser as to how they evolved. If you’re their owners, please get in touch so we can find out how you made them.
Pyramid
what this is and whether it has a function, other than to entertain passers-by. But I can see it would be a unique way of turning a mound of unwanted topsoil into something, well, more interesting than a mound of unwanted topsoil.
Tree hut
Who wouldn’t want one of these? Even an adult would be delighted with such a hideaway. I’m not telling where we saw it in case the local council turns up demanding the owners (who are probably about 7 years old) to apply for resource consent and code compliance.
Tin slug
What a great way to mark the entrance to your property. This corrugated iron critter is very evocative of a certain type of slug we used to find in the garden as kids. It moved itself along by creating an arch and then flattening out, and we would watch one for ages. This representation doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere, though.
Telegraph pole
No, this did not fall down by accident and land in somebody’s garden.
It was salvaged by the owner and was a mainstay of a rustic garden in Te Aroha, along with numerous other weird and wonderful items.
Okay, I admit it. I don’t know what this is and whether it has a function, other than to entertain passers-by.