by Lin Stone

Gazing balls were once believed to fend off misfortune and bestow happiness upon the owner; they were commonly given to young women to gaze upon to catch a preternatural glimpse of their future husband. Servants also relied upon them: placed on sideboards in dining rooms, staff could stand outside the dining room to gaze at the ball from a discrete distance to see who needed refills. They were cleverly placed in gardens – outside an appropriate window – for an unsuspected peek at visitors well before they reached the door. Gazing balls were most common in the midst of a garden for contemplation where the beauty of nature was reflected in all of its wonder and glory.

Gnomes are mythological figures of German origin, although they are an inherent part of Scandinavian mythology. Originally, the figures were crafted to represent silver and gold miners. The miners apparently were relatively small men who traditionally wore red-pointed hats. They were thought to help farmers prosper by keeping a watchful eye and lending a hand in the garden at night. Legendary and popular figures in stories, gardens, and films, they have inspired the world’s merry pranksters in efforts to "return gnomes to the wild": garden gnomes are "kidnapped" and sent to travel around the world. In Italy, the group known as "MALAG," is the garden gnome liberation front; in France there is the "Front de Liberation des Nain de Jardins," and Travelocity’s "Roaming Gnome."

Whirligigs and weathervanes’ origins herald back to when windmills were used to lift water for irrigation and farmers and sailors used weathervanes to show the direction of the wind. In the United States, windmills and whirligigs were prevalent and practical Appalachian folk toys and garden ornaments. They could track the wind, entertain children, brighten the yard, and were easily carved in the evenings.

Seventeen years ago, Patricia Santenello from Panton, founded the company Ancient Graffiti, a manufacturer of unique garden décor. It has been her job to keep a close eye on both Mother Nature and consumer trends. The company markets its charming garden décor to many major national retailers such as Gardener’s Supply Company, as well as to many independent smaller retailers such as Vermont Gift Barn in Burlington. She noted that today’s trends reflect people’s preference for honest, natural materials: metal, wood, stone, and clay. And for good, functional, and fun designs.

Garden styles, however, reflect people’s personalities. Colorful spiral plant stakes seem inspired by a museum of modern art, and twiggy metal branches and woven willow trellises provide old English garden plant support and sculptural appeal. Whimsical bird feeders, baths, and birdhouses offer food and shelter as well as levity and interest to the winter landscape. Composters are made to look like cottages. Garden pathways lined with lanterns and glass gazing balls glow with solar powered light.

Santenello commented, "Gardening and birding people spend a great deal of time outside and in their gardens. It’s as important and as personal a space as inside their homes – it matters what is happening out there all year round, and that it reflects their personality. All seasons in the landscape are of interest, both as habitat and sanctuary."

Ultimately, we do love Mother Nature. We like to bring the indoors out and the outdoors in. We like to sit outside and contemplate the world; to house and feed the birds; watch rain trickle from rooftops and down windowpanes. Then we bring nature inside – plants on windowsills, flowers in vases.

Santenello summed it up perfectly and simply, "People strive to bring the natural beauty of the world nearer to their daily lives."