June 17, 2006
Update on Sprout Garden
Remember the sprouting device I bought for a Christmas gift? Well, it has turned out to be really great. We get lots of organic sprouts with very little work, and I'm very pleased with the product. This is one I can enthusiastically recommend based on my own use. (The Sprout Garden)
No, they don't advertise on this site. This is free love.
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April 20, 2006
Wishbone Hammock
Let's start now. Gardening is hard work, and summer is not that far away. So why not invest in a good, solid three-point hammock right now? It also, by the way, fits in tight spaces in case your garden is on your porch. Catch a few winks in between planting flats of annuals, pruning the roses and setting out the veggie seedlings. First things first.
Ultra-Stable Wishbone Hammock
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December 12, 2005
Glass Hummingbird Feeders
Gosh, these handblown iridescent glass feeders in jewel colors are really beautiful! Practical, too, so they say, due to a design that makes cleaning easy (because hummingbird feeders MUST be kept really clean). They hold two cups of syrup, are packaged individually in gift boxes, and come with a custom cleaning brush...all for $28.00. This may be the PERFECT Gardener's CHRISTMAS gift!!!
Glass Hummingbird Feeders
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December 07, 2005
Celestial Moon Thermometer
This gorgeous 12" thermometer made from recycled aluminum is said to weather the harshest climate and can be used outdoors as well as inside. It comes in a verdigris or French bronze finish, weighs 4 lbs and costs $52, plus s/h. Available from the folks at Eco-gardening (nice site), it does take two to three weeks to produce so order asap for any hope of Christmas delivery.
Celestial Thermometer
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December 06, 2005
Succulent Gift
Succulent gifts: sounds like something good to eat, doesn't it? Not so. Take a look at one of Sunset Magazine's newest ideas, based on designs of Arree Thongthiraj of the California Cactus Nursery. She calls it "painting with succulents," and the picture to the right gives you an idea of the concept. Using a variety of colors and shapes, you can create a living, three dimensional artwork in a container. Be sure to start small, as the plants will grow (isn't that the idea?), and follow her instructions as to proper planting. Created and "painted" by you as a one-of-a kind gift, this would be such a great idea for the gardener who has an imagination and loves art. The one shown was inspired by a Claude Monet painting of waterlilies.
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November 30, 2005
Garden Gift Set
Lady gardeners who love lavender will like this set from Smart Jane (link below), a fun, breezy site that has lots of stuff. I like the fact that this one has a good quality tool, good gloves and a usable pot for $43.50 +s/h. Still not cheap, and you could put together a set like this for much less by shopping at, say, Home Depot and Pier One; but this time of year, who has time?
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November 28, 2005
David Austin Roses: Rosemoor
The David Austin 2005-6 roses are now available by pre-order on the internet. This one is a sweet little rose, upright in growth yet bushy, and it flowers profusely. The strong Old Rose fragrance also has hints of apple, cucumber and violet leaf. Named after an English garden in Devon.
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Totem Stake Molds
You too can make your own totem stakes out of concrete using totem stake molds designed by Catherine Failor. These molds will withstand multiple pours and are made from recycled plastic. At $9.00, they are economical and would make an unusual gift for your garden artisan. Shown is the plum blossom design. They also offer a bird design totem, flower vines, garden god, grapevine and oak leaves.
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November 21, 2005
Orchid Plant Gift
This is a nice (expensive) twist on the twelve months of flowers gift idea. Each orchid comes in a 6" growers pot ready to slip into a cachepot, and the gift is announced to the recipient with a set of gift-boxed notecards sent before the first plant arrives. Can be started at any month of the year. Order before December 15th for Christmas. Around $550 with shipping.
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Glass Rooting Vases
A glass rooting vase is a reasonably priced Christmas gift both unusual and very practical. What gardener wouldn't put one of these directly to use, maybe even before all the packages are opened? Remember our glass watering ball post? These are very similar. Made of handblown glass, they are 6/5"H, have a 3 foot satin hanging cord and cost $12.95 ps. Many plants root from cuttings, including ivy, ficus, geraniums, pothos, and begonias to name a few. I can see clipping some cuttings from one's own plants to give with the rooting vase, which would make it a really personal and unique garden gift.
Handblown Glass Rooting Vases
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Hearth Crickets
Charming. Solid brass hearth crickets are a symbol of good luck. Every house should have a cricket. I like the live ones, too, but these are more practical. Just under 5", they come in the polished finish or verdigris and cost $8.95. Is this not a cool stocking gift? Or buy several to hide in your pots or even put out on the patio table. I can't wait to get mine. (We always had a large hearth cricket by the fireplace when I was growing up. Nice memories.) This is just the kind of sweet little gift that LeafyLife loves.
Good Luck Hearth Crickets
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Christmas Wreath Stand
Here's a nice idea–a cast iron stand, 7'8"H with 8" spikes for staking in the ground to hang a wreath from. Why would you want a wreath stand (they call it a hanger)? You can't put a Christmas wreath on your front door or you want one in your garden, of course. I confess I've never seen one of these and really like the idea. The $89 price plus $15 shipping is a little steep, but the concept is great and they've done a nice job with the design. You could do the same thing with an easel if weather is not a problem.
Fleur de Lys Wreath Hanger
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Desktop Garden
The perfect office gift–a little garden where your friend/co-worker can grow grass and contemplate nature while working or daydreaming about spring, as the case may be. They call this an "idyllic English garden," which sounds like a bit of hyperbole to me, but it seems pretty cool. You get the planting tray, bricks and gravel to form pathways, grass seed to plant, two urns and some "miracle" coco soil, whatever that is. This is only 8.5"W x 5.75"D, mind you, so those bricks must be very, very small, but for $21.95 it would be a memorable gift, and who knows? Maybe other types of seeds would grow as well.
Desktop Garden
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Christmas Tree Lights
Christmas tree lights with frosted petal shades to look like paperwhite narcissus make a nice change for the bulb gardener from traditional hardware store lights. Up to three 31' strands of these indoor/outdoor prismatic lights can be linked. The online catalogue says $19 per strand, but their paper catalogue says they are on sale for $15.20, so it might pay to order by telephone. Also available–very pretty pointsettia lights, a different look but also attractive.
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Deer Chaser Rocking Fountain
This 12" fountain is a classic Japanese garden feature called Shishi Odoshi or Deer Scarer. The rocking of the center piece creates a soft tapping noise, and the water has its own tranquil sound as it falls on stones or whatever you might choose. It could be used in the garden, in the house, even at the office, and comes with pump and instructions. This is just a beautiful little creation. I can imagine making a whole miniature scene with some bonsai and deer figurines. A lovely gift for $59.95 from Greenfeet.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Fountains, Statuary, Sundials | Garden Accessories | Gift Ideas