I met a gardener once who disliked gnome ornaments.
So I was baffled when I toured her garden and spied a gnome peeking out from a thick shrub. When I enquired, she pulled the branches back and revealed three more. It seemed she had a much-loved but strong-minded relative who felt gnomes made marvelous Christmas gifts.
In giving ornaments, it's absolutely vital to know your gardener's taste. When you get it right, it's a joy to everyone.
Many gardeners walk through memories in their gardens as they tell a visitor who gave them this or that ornament or plant. Some people will be no longer with them, but the gift will always remind them.
Often natural stone, concrete or woodsy colours which blend into existing paths, rocks and trees are a good fit for many gardens. For instance, someone with a large pond might like a concrete heron, a duck, a frog or even an alligator. All concrete animals can become very beautiful when covered with moss.
Some artisans make wonderful rustic birdhouses which are popular gifts sold at farmer's markets or gift fairs. Gardeners with carpentry skills may create them for themselves. Where gardens have many shrubs and trees large numbers of birdhouses can still look perfectly at home. A plethora of statues, gazing globes and wind spinners need much more careful placement.
Some birdhouses are made for looks rather than function. If it is to be used by birds, a birdhouse should have a clean-out door. The size of entrance holes depends on the varieties you're trying to attract.
Wasps may get there first, which isn't necessarily a disaster. If the wasp home is high up a tree, no harm is done.
The wasps are safely out of the way, and the garden has gained some very efficient predators.
Gargoyles can amuse some gardeners, who often end up giving them names. I recall one gardener who put a hat and scarf on her grumpy gargoyle every Christmas.
A gardener who collects wind chimes will likely be thrilled with another one. Rusty metal artifacts are trendy to some gardeners - though others might say they need cleaning and a good coat of paint.
Many people put ornamental herons by ponds, partly for interest and a vertical line but also in hopes of scaring away real herons.
The heron made of skeletal brownish metal and rounded stone stomach is especially popular.
Planters are another popular and very useful gift.
But where the gardener is older, it's good to remember that ceramic planters are very heavy even when empty. For gardeners with arthritis, ergonomic tools with fat handles are easier on stiff hands.
An Easy Kneeler is a magnificent gift for an elderly gardener. This can be used as a seat or upended to become a raised kneeling pad. Whichever way is up, sturdy metal arms can be grasped to make it easier to stand up from kneeling or sitting.
Relatively inexpensive items for a gardener's Christmas stocking can include reusable Velcro ties, a small LED flashlight for night-time slug patrols, a waxy non-fading grease pencil for labels outside and small, sharp scissors or pruners for dead-heading.
Tulip bulbs are another possibility. Late-flowering ones can be planted even in January and around Christmas, any left-over tulip bulbs are often on sale.
Anne Marrison is happy to answer garden questions. Send them to her via amar [email protected].
