In Defense of Gnomes
Our love/hate relationship with the garden gnome
by Leann Locher
Some people love them, some people hate them. Few are in the middle. My recent informal surveys have discovered people’s true feelings about garden gnomes. For some reason, they were compared to plastic pink flamingos and scary clowns. I can understand the reference to the scary clowns: gnomes run that fine line of either coyly greeting you as you round a garden corner or seemingly want to jump out and chew on your ankle. But the pink flamingo comparison? I beg to differ.
Pink flamingos and garden gnomes are simply native garden art found in different parts of the country. As I do not expect to see a pink flamingo in a Northwest woodland garden, so it is with a gnome at the base of a CSC cactus.
But back to the gnomes. I’ve found this to be a passionate topic for people, their love for them fueled by the movie Amelie or Travelocity commercials.
I have a total of 2.5 gnomes in my garden, and my partner has made me promise to not provide a welcome mat for any more. Obviously we can see what side of the fence she’s on when it comes to the magic lure of gnomes. Bah!
A certain finance director at a certain Oregon gay, lesbian, bi and trans advocacy organization has over six gnomes in his garden. I don’t know how he does it because at no time does it feel overly kitsch. I think it takes a certain “gnome talent” to pull that off.
Gnomes are said to originate in Germany, where we find them referred to in fairy tales, such as those by Brothers Grimm. It was believed that a gnome figurine placed in your garden would bring good luck. The red caps signified they were miners, and many of the gnomes toward the end of the 19th century were highly regarded and made with great detail. It wasn’t until Walt Disney featured them in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs that they became so cute. And yes, I know cute is in the eye of the beholder. As one friend said in my surveying about gnomes, “They may be cute, but they may also be agents of the devil.”
Are there gnomes in Portland City Hall’s Victory Garden?
“Though the city hasn’t taken an official love or hate position on gnomes, were one to take up residence, however, he or she would be welcome. We have wonderful volunteers who look after the garden and care for it during the day, but it would be great to have a gnome to keep watch over the spinach and berries at night. And we certainly welcome visiting gnomes who might like to learn about organic food production in small spaces.”
— Amy Ruiz, City of Portland
Oregon Lavender Festival
Experience the fabled lavender hills of Provence here in Oregon during the Oregon Lavender Festival. The hillsides of farms from Helvetia to Yamhill to Sauvie Island turn shades of purple in early June as crops of lavender burst into bloom. The Oregon Lavender Festival provides an opportunity to visit 23 of these farms, partake in cutting your own, or simply walking the fragrant rows in the lush pastoral settings. An artisan fair in Yamhill features booths filled with lavender products for sale, distillation demonstrations, music and lavender food. Hello, have you ever tried lavender lemonade? Let’s hope they have it again this year because it’s delicious.
Don’t miss Helvetia Lavender Farm, one of the many farms to open this weekend. The setting is tranquil, and they’ll be offering workshops on making lavender wreaths and wands, massages, bath and home products, garden art, live music, tea and scones served in their new tea pavilion. Helvetia Tavern will be serving its famous hamburgers. Score! www.Helvetialavenderfarm.com
Sat.-Sun., July 11-12, 2009, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Beulah Park in Yamhill, Oregon. More than 23 farms throughout the region will be open this weekend. Maps and information available on the website www.oregonlavenderfestival.com.
LeAnn Locher is an OSU Master Gardener intern and gardens in North Portland. She’s hoping to sneak in at least one more gnome somewhere in her garden. But don’t tell her partner. She loves to hear from fellow gardeners and can be reached at sassygardener@gmail.com.
