Team Whimsy or Team Traditional?

By Trish
July 31, 2011

This week's article takes a peak at the inside of our gardens. Would you describe yourself as being a whimsical gardener, or more traditional?

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Jul 30, 2011 6:30 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Margaret
Delta KY
I'm A Charley's Girl For Sure
Forum moderator I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Beekeeper
Seed Starter Permaculture Region: Kentucky Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
I'd have to say team whimsy here. My lawn is a mixture of weeds and grass. I put plants where ever I take a notion. I have a cedar log bench, a trellis that used to be the decorative grill on a storm door and a rock painted to look like something else.
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Jul 30, 2011 6:41 PM CST
Name: Christine
North East Texas (Zone 7b)
Shine Your Light!
Heirlooms Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener Hummingbirder Bee Lover Herbs
Butterflies Dragonflies Birds Cat Lover Dog Lover Garden Photography
I would put myself in team whimsy too!! Often my best plants are the volunteers, the ones that "tell me where they want to be" in the garden. I love surprises the most and find that mother nature usually knows better than I do! Rolling on the floor laughing
May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day --Native American Proverb

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Jul 30, 2011 6:59 PM CST
Name: Vicki
North Carolina
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I sent a postcard to Randy! Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Forum moderator Region: United States of America
Purslane Garden Art Region: North Carolina Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Master Level Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Definitely a whimsy here Smiling
NATIONAL GARDENING ASSOCIATION ~ Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~
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Jul 30, 2011 8:24 PM CST
Name: Sheila F
Fort Worth TX (Zone 8a)
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Tip Photographer Region: Texas Butterflies Garden Art
Ponds Dog Lover Hummingbirder Birds The WITWIT Badge Region: United States of America
Most definately team whimsy!
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Jul 30, 2011 8:40 PM CST
Name: Debra
Garland, TX (NE Dallas suburb) (Zone 8a)
Rescue dogs: Angels with paws needi
Dragonflies Dog Lover Bookworm I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Photography Bee Lover
Plays in the sandbox Butterflies Region: Texas Garden Sages I sent a postcard to Randy! Charter ATP Member
Me, too. I like the element of formality only in the outline structures. A decorative fence to separate my front yard from the neighbor's. Brick or pavers trenched in around the beds. That kind of thing. But in the beds or on the house, I like resin garden gnomes, concrete flamingos, solar system whirlygigs, delicate wind chimes on shepherd's crooks, oversized teacup planters, clear glass turtles, Talavera sun faces, and wooden sunflower pinwheels. Using leftover supplies, old crockery, and found materials in the garden is fun for me. I have almost 100 cobalt blue bull nose-edged ceramic tiles that I found for $0.07 each at a Habitat for Humanity store. My sister put an acrylic surround in the hall bath and gave me the butter yellow ceramic tiles she pulled down. Also kept broken pieces of plates and bowls. I'm planning to make a potting table using the tiles as surfacing and the broken dishes as a backboard...when it cools down sometime in December. LOL
It’s okay to not know all the answers.
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Jul 31, 2011 12:41 AM CST
Name: Becky (Boo)
Phoenix, AZ 85022
finding joy one day at a time!
Charter ATP Member Forum moderator I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Art Purslane Garden Ideas: Master Level
Region: Southwest Gardening Enjoys or suffers hot summers Region: United States of America Birds Hummingbirder Container Gardener
100 % Team Whimsy for me!

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And for a totally fun, whimsical experience, check out the bird houses of ATP members at the Garden Arts forum:
BIRD HOUSES
ALL THINGS PLANTS ~ Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~
MY CUBITS ~ Trust in the Lord ~
MY WEB SITE ~ Joyful Times Today
Last edited by Boopaints Jul 31, 2011 1:31 AM Icon for preview
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Jul 31, 2011 4:34 AM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
Team Whimsy for me. I crossed over around 10 years ago. No stiff, formal, rules for me. With age I am learning more & more as well as appreciating more & more how to relax & accept what plants do naturally. You really can't fight Mother Nature; you'll wear yourself out trying to!
Give me a relaxed garden with surprises around this corner or that & I feel comfortable either being in my own or as a visitor to others. I'm beginning to not even enjoy looking at the formal, rule laden gardens. They stifle my breathing even while looking from afar.
I've gone all casual & natural both inside & out, physically & metaphorically.

Ann
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
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Jul 31, 2011 7:25 AM CST
Name: Horseshoe Griffin
Efland, NC (Zone 7a)
And in the end...a happy beginning!
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle I sent a postcard to Randy! I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
For our friend, Shoe. Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Enjoys or suffers cold winters Birds Permaculture Container Gardener
I enjoy the whimsy garden but seldom take time to create fun stuff to put in the garden(s). I dream about it though! I sure know my attention is more easily grabbed by unusual features in a garden (or farm) much more than the traditional "Lawn/flowerbeds" look.

Happy Day, All!
Shoe (whimsy at heart; too lazy to implement it!)
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Jul 31, 2011 9:07 AM CST
FL. Panhandle (Zone 8a)
Not all those who wander are lost.
Charter ATP Member The WITWIT Badge Dog Lover Butterflies Birds Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
Region: Florida Region: United States of America Garden Ideas: Level 2
Whimsy for sure here. No doubt. Big Grin
Talk with people around the world.
Visit Carpe diem and seize the day!
Also, Jigsaw Puzzles, Excel forum and tutorials.
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Jul 31, 2011 10:09 AM CST
Name: Vicki
North Carolina
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I sent a postcard to Randy! Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Forum moderator Region: United States of America
Purslane Garden Art Region: North Carolina Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Master Level Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Same here Shoe, more whimsey in my heart and thoughts than in reality. Oh well, at least we're headed in the right direction Thumbs up
NATIONAL GARDENING ASSOCIATION ~ Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~
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Jul 31, 2011 10:49 AM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Informal Whimsy here! I'm an informal gal and prefer being in shorts, t-shirt and barefoot moseying around a garden of native plants and flowers ... or sitting on a bench beneath a tree with a glass of iced tea in hand ... viewing a natural setting. I want leaves or pine straw beneath my feet and the green view to be from the foliage of trees and other plants, not a wide expanse of lawn that requires chemicals, water and mowing! Smiling
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Jul 31, 2011 1:42 PM CST
Name: Debra
Garland, TX (NE Dallas suburb) (Zone 8a)
Rescue dogs: Angels with paws needi
Dragonflies Dog Lover Bookworm I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Photography Bee Lover
Plays in the sandbox Butterflies Region: Texas Garden Sages I sent a postcard to Randy! Charter ATP Member
Becky, I LOVE the chalkboard guy. He's my kinda garden guide, doncha know. Thumbs up
It’s okay to not know all the answers.
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Jul 31, 2011 1:58 PM CST
Name: Becky (Boo)
Phoenix, AZ 85022
finding joy one day at a time!
Charter ATP Member Forum moderator I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Art Purslane Garden Ideas: Master Level
Region: Southwest Gardening Enjoys or suffers hot summers Region: United States of America Birds Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Thanks Debra. He was once a menu guy...I repainted him and chopped his chef hat off!
ALL THINGS PLANTS ~ Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~
MY CUBITS ~ Trust in the Lord ~
MY WEB SITE ~ Joyful Times Today
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Jul 31, 2011 2:26 PM CST
Name: Debra
Garland, TX (NE Dallas suburb) (Zone 8a)
Rescue dogs: Angels with paws needi
Dragonflies Dog Lover Bookworm I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Photography Bee Lover
Plays in the sandbox Butterflies Region: Texas Garden Sages I sent a postcard to Randy! Charter ATP Member
This guy has been in my kitchen for several years. About 10 inches tall. But after meeting your menu guy, I think mine will be much happier outside with the basil, parsley, chives, and pineapple sage. Smiling



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It’s okay to not know all the answers.
Last edited by lovemyhouse Jul 31, 2011 2:28 PM Icon for preview
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Jul 31, 2011 2:28 PM CST
Name: Becky (Boo)
Phoenix, AZ 85022
finding joy one day at a time!
Charter ATP Member Forum moderator I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Art Purslane Garden Ideas: Master Level
Region: Southwest Gardening Enjoys or suffers hot summers Region: United States of America Birds Hummingbirder Container Gardener
He's very cute, Debra... and in your case, you wouldn't even need to shop his hat off since he's looking over the fresh herbs!
ALL THINGS PLANTS ~ Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~
MY CUBITS ~ Trust in the Lord ~
MY WEB SITE ~ Joyful Times Today
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Jul 31, 2011 4:11 PM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Oh, I love the "Menu" Guys! I once had a fat ceramic pig in chef's hat holding a chalkboard. I didn't really like it and gave it away ... oh how cute it would have been as garden art!
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Jul 31, 2011 5:48 PM CST
Name: Stephanie Gonzales
Texas (Zone 8a)
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Permaculture Butterflies Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: Texas
Seed Starter Hummingbirder Dog Lover Cat Lover Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
Whimsy here Hurray!
Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
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Jul 31, 2011 6:38 PM CST
Name: Charleen
Alford, Florida (Zone 8a)
Walk in Peace / I'm Timber's Mom.
Miniature Gardening Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! I sent a postcard to Randy! Tip Photographer I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member
Mules Garden Ideas: Level 2 Sempervivums Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: United States of America Beekeeper
I own a mule and I'm supposed to be a little different.
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Yep, even my dog is laughing....
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Jul 31, 2011 8:34 PM CST
Name: Debra
Garland, TX (NE Dallas suburb) (Zone 8a)
Rescue dogs: Angels with paws needi
Dragonflies Dog Lover Bookworm I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Photography Bee Lover
Plays in the sandbox Butterflies Region: Texas Garden Sages I sent a postcard to Randy! Charter ATP Member
What a great dog face!
It’s okay to not know all the answers.
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Jul 31, 2011 9:32 PM CST
Name: Sandi
Austin, Tx (Zone 8b)
Texas Gardening
Forum moderator Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Plant Identifier Master Gardener: Texas
Region: Texas Tropicals Plumerias Ferns Greenhouse Garden Art
Whimsical for me, but I try not to overdo it. I rotate some things so there's not more object than plant interest. A garden visitor posted that she liked my garden because although it had interesting art objects, "it didn't look like a craft store had thrown up in her yard." I hope that was a compliment!

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