A Gardener's Wishlist

I am trying to do less shopping these days. At a certain age, you stop needing more "stuff". Once you've hit a number of significant milestones (I will reach a big one in just a couple of weeks), you come to realize that "stuff" always needs to be dusted, organized and stored away.

So...if you are shopping for yourself or the gardener in your life this holiday season, why not purchase an experience rather than an object that will need dusting? Here are some local examples, but I am sure there are similar events in or near your hometown. 

How about purchasing a ticket for a Christmas Wreath Workshop? 

In Trenton, Ontario Dahlia May Flower Farm is running a series of workshops  ($145) where you can get creative and make your own holiday wreath. Most of the workshops are sold out, but a few new dates have been added. (On a side note, the farm also has a Christmas market and open house on December 1st. I can't think of a more pleasant way to get into the holiday mood!)

Or how about a class on making your own facial scrubs, masks and cleansers ($40 through the Toronto Botanical Gardens). Class participants will take home recipes and some samples. 

Next are 2 different workshops held in nearby Cambridge, Ontario. In the first workshop, you'll fill a mercury glass compote with flowers and greenery. $125/pp or $195 for two participants includes materials, instruction and a light lunch. 

In the next workshop, you'll fill two tabletop urns.  $195/pp or $295 for two participants includes materials, instructions and lunch. For tickets and details visit The Potting Shed.

And now, are you ready for the ultimate experience not-soon-to-be-forgotten? If your budget is generous (and I mean generous), how about a once-in-a-lifetime trip for yourself or the gardener you love best? 

The Toronto Botanical Gardens has organized a June tour of some amazing British gardens including Great Dixter, Sissinghurst and Hidcote Manor. There' s even plans in the works to visit Highgrove Gardens (the home of Prince Charles). 

What an inspiration it would be to see these world-famous gardens!

To find similar workshops in your area, try Googling the words "workshop" and the name of your hometown.

When it comes to purchasing "stuff", I tend to favour things that have a use rather than objects that are purely decorative. The exception might be at Christmas time. Receiving a pair of pruners is rather like getting a toaster for Christmas. It's just way too practical! 

If I need a trowel, a good set of garden gloves or a pruner, I'll buy them for myself. I'd prefer to find something pretty under the tree.

Seasonal decorations (above and below) inspired by nature are bound to be a hit with any gardener. The decorative birds might also inspire the beginnings of a collection. Barn Owl, Pheasant and Spring Chicken.

Swan from Pottery Barn (USA, but ships to Canada)

Long galvanized bucket $29.99 from Vintage North.

Wouldn't this long galvanized bucket be nice filled potted plants or flowers from your garden? 

Decorative items for the outdoors might include:

Solid Brass Armillary Sundial from Barry Hill Ltd $289 (Canadian)

The next bunch of gift ideas manage to be both pretty and practical.

Houseplants seem to be all the rage these days, so attractive plant pots have never been easier to find. Let's begin with a few classic examples:

This urn would make any houseplant into the perfect table centrepiece. Aged Iron Pedestal Bowl from Terrain $54 (USA).

I have lots of houseplants, but I rarely mix them together. The arrangement (above) is a great example of why that is short-sighted. Marbled Earthenware Low Bowl Planter from Terrain $24-38 (USA).

I can't resist a few more whimsical gift suggestions:

Row of Sheep Planter from Anthropologie $54 (USA)

Quiet Elephant $32 from West Coast Gardens (Canadian)

Face pot  from Anthropologie $26 (USA)

There are so many beautiful types of hanging pots:

Hanging Earthenware Planter from Terrain $28 (USA).

Succulents are not typically used in hanging pots, but don't they look terrific? That succulents require to be watered less frequently would be a huge advantage.

These hangers use geometry to great effect and would be perfect for the gardener with more modern sensibilities. Hanging Geo Planter from Anthropologie $24-32 (USA).

Hanging Plant Pots by Parceline $48 (Canadian shop on Etsy)

Finally, a few gifts that are attractive and practical:

Herb Drying Rack $19.95 from Gardeners Supply Co. (USA)


Copper Roof Lady Bug House $50 from West Coast Gardens (Canadian)

Galvanized Seed Saver from Gardeners Supply Co. $34.95 (USA)

Rooster Jute Holder $29.99 from Vintage North (Canadian)

Most of these gifts are available online but don't let that deter you from visiting local nurseries and greenhouses. So many places offer seasonal displays, demonstrations and an array of terrific gifts ideas in the off-season. 

I hope this post has helped inspire your holiday shopping!

Hints for Santa: A Gardener's Wish List

Included on almost every list of gift suggestions for gardeners is a set of gardening gloves and a pair of pruners.

While I've grown to appreciate gifts that are useful, for Christmas I want a treat.  A pair of pruners is rather like getting a toaster for Christmas. It's just way to practical! If I need a good set of pruners, I'll buy them for myself.

I'd like to find something pretty under the tree. And if that pretty gift has a practical use, so much the better. With this in mind, I have gathered together a gardener's wish list of hints for Santa.

Dahlia May Flower Farm specializes in growing romantic and fragrant, often heirloom, varieties of flowers. Owned and operated by Melanie Harrington the farm is located near Trenton in Southern Ontario.

This year Melanie has put together two calendars that would make wonderful gifts for any flower lover. The portraits in the Men with Blooms calendar are of Melanie's husband, her family, friends and fellow local business owners. The Florals calendar includes pictures of tulips, daffodils and other favourite photos from the last year. 

Both calendars are just $20 each plus $5 shipping for Canadian customers (very slightly more for those customers in the USA). Here's a link right to the Men with Blooms Calendar order page and the Florals 2018 Calendar order page. 

Are these watering cans gorgeous or what? 

I have a number of vintage waterings cans (that I use all the time), but who wouldn't want one of these shiny, new models made by Haws in the U.K.? The one the left is their Copper Watering Can, and on the right is their 8.8 litre Heritage Watering Can. 

You can find a range of these waterings cans new on Amazon, previously loved on eBay and new at Lee Valley Tools. Here's a link to the American branch of the company as well.

This Thompson and Elm Bird and Spool Twine Holder and Scissors Set is both attractive and handy. This one came from the shop at the Toronto Botanical Gardens here in Toronto, but you can also find it on Amazon.

I was telling my husband about all my terrific finds the other evening while we were walking the dogs. 

"I bet you'd never think to get me a rain gauge, would you?"

"A rain gauge?" he returned, proving my point.

"Yah, I think it might be fun to track the amount of rainfall we receive", I replied enthusiastically, "And it would be even nicer if there was a cute frog holding the glass gauge."

I am not sure if he got the hint, but here's a couple of adorable rain gauges if you think it would be fun idea to monitor rainfall too:

Both are from Iron Accents. Here is the webpage with the Bird and Nest ($38 US) and here is a link to the Scientist Frog ( $45 US).

Iron Accents also have whimsical hose guides: Dancing Frog ($33 US) and Bunny Holding Umbrella ($36 US) 

Finally, how about this palatial abode for toads? Toad House ($60 US)

The one time I have to worry about the dogs trampling my garden is in the spring when the perennials are just beginning to pop up out of the cold ground. The garden eventually fills in to a jungle-like density, by which time, the dogs prefer to run in the open grassed area. Having a wire cloche to protect the most precious of my emerging plants would be great.

These Victorian-inspired wire cloches from Gardener's Supply Company are $23 (US) or $18 (US) each when you buy three or more.

Terrariums are always a welcome gift. On the right is Gardener's Supply Company's Hanging Prism Terrarium ($19.95 US) and on the left is Teardrop Tabletop Terrarium (on sale for $31.88 US). 

While your on the Gardener's Supply Company website check out the bird feeders, plant supports, Mason Bee Houses, tomato cages etc, etc...

Floret Flower Farm is a family run business in the Skagit Valley (Washington state) that specializes in growing unique, uncommon and heirloom flowers (Read more here). Their online shop features cut flower seeds, dahlia tubers, spring-flowering bulbs, tools, supplies and gifts.

You can buy individual seed packages, but I think that one of Floret Flower Farm's Seed Collections might make a really nice gift. I've picked just two examples from the many options: 

The Creamsicle Mix ($25 US) on the left includes Amaranth 'Coral Fountain', Annual Baby's Breath 'Covent Garden', Celosia Supercrest Mix, Cosmos 'Purity', Zinnia 'Oklahoma Salmon' and Zinnia 'Salmon Rose'.

The Pink Romance Mix ($25 US) on the right includes Bachelor's Buttons 'Classic Romantic', Bells of Ireland, Chinese Forget-me-not 'Mystic Pink', Corn Cockle 'Ocean Pearls', Orlaya 'White Finch Lace' and Stock 'Malmaison Pink'.

Another great gift idea might be a print of the farm's flower filled truck. Erin writes, "The truck, lovingly nicknamed Little Fat Dragon by the kids when they were small, is the heart of the farm..." 

The print is 12" x 12" and is on sale at the moment for just $15 US.

If you have followed this blog for awhile, then you'll know that I have a collection of rusty silhouettes scattered throughout the garden. Rusty metal stakes with birds also form the centrepiece of many of my container plantings.

These stakes would make nice, affordable gifts.  Bluebirds on Pussy-Willow Stake ($25.50 US) and Chickadees & Berries Stake ($21 US). They're all from Rusty Birds.com As well these stakes, there are animal silhouettes, plants and trees, Christmas decorations and more. 

I have long been a fan of photographer Ellen Hoverkamp. Ellen did the illustrations for the book Natural Companions by Ken Druse (which itself would make a nice gift). 

Ellen creates her fine art photographs using a flat bed scanner. Medium and large sized archival prints of her work are available through her online shop. If Santa was feeling generous, these prints would make an amazing gift.

A very affordable alternative might be a set of gift cards ($20 US).

I had great fun putting this list together. Hopefully it will give you a few ideas. Up shortly will be a number of recommended books for gift giving.