Mushroom Garden Gnome
Does your garden grow better with gnomes? Garden gnomes originated in European folklore depicted wearing red hats, tunics and holding garden tools. In the 1800′s German potters made them from clay stoneware and sold them as lawn and garden ornamentation said to bring good luck, humor, wisdom and prosperity to the owner. They are whimsical little creatures that for some add character to a garden, but for others only create an eyesore. Several large garden clubs in the U.K. have banned garden gnomes from elite flower and garden shows stating they decrease the sophistication of garden landscapes. Other groups such as the “Garden Gnome Liberationists” direct their energies towards “borrowing” gnomes out of gardens and photographing them all over the world at popular travel locations, some say this was the start of the now popular Travelocity Gnome. 
Blogs such as Gnome Frenzy are dedicated to collecting photographs of these traveling gnomes at famous places around the world and posting them on the web. It seems more people are inclined to like the Travelocity gnome with its updated appearance and reference to good times over the more traditional European ceramic gnomes with mythical powers of fortune and luck.
The mushroom gnome photographed above standing in-between my basil and oregano was only “borrowed” for a few weeks for blogging purposes, soon to be returned to its rightful owner.
I think the garden gnome craze is in the same genre as the plastic pink flamingos – love them or leave them!
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Thank you for visiting my garden blog: http://www.nadiaknows.com
♥ Create – Grow – Enjoy ♥
Mar 03, 2010 @ 08:07:07
I prefer the more sophisticated garden decor!!! However, my husband would put a gnome every 5′ if he could!! ; )
Mar 03, 2010 @ 08:12:03
ok. Gnomes freak me out a bit…much the same way my almost adult daughter can’t look at a clown…I will pass on the gnomes…but–maybe a pink flamingo in my Pacific NW garden….hmmm…
thanks for sharing!
jane
Mar 03, 2010 @ 08:18:49
My niece just moved to a small apartment complex in Encinitas that has a couple of gnomes peaking out from some of the garden… it adds so much character and very fitting for the setting. She says everyone always comments on them. They bring smiles to faces… so they have to go good, right!?
Mar 03, 2010 @ 19:05:52
Garden gnomes are also known to wreak havoc on gardens also right? watch out!
Mar 03, 2010 @ 20:53:26
I guess I’m a snob like the Brits but love the tropical gnome in the beautiful waters:)
Jul 22, 2011 @ 12:15:39
Does anyone know the brand of this gnome in the picture. Not the travelosity gnome. The one with the mushroom.