the big catch up

Just a few short weeks after the rain started and the garden has revived from the prolonged dry weather. It's as if it never happened. Suddenly it is time to pick up the pace with garden jobs and to tackle the weedy bits and tame some crazy shrubs. Yesterday Brent came to take down some higher branches on the red cedar, and bolly gum, macadamia and a few others. This has followed up on his last visit when he tamed the front hedge of duranta and privet  ,a job that no one really looks forward to but looks amazing when it is done. That's about it for help in the garden now and the rest is down to me which is fine.
Yesterday was a sad day as we watched the big bunya pine next door get taken down as it was dead. It now lies on the ground and Shadow for some reason is scared of it. A few weeks ago I collected several small Bunya trees from around the base so we might be able to grow another one near by. I like properties that have a few large statement trees , just to marvel at their size and age and Bunyas are particularly important on the Blackall Range .
We have had a couple of visiting groups recently and people seem to enjoy visiting our garden. It is interesting to see what gets the most attention. The coral fountain is popular and lately it has been the begonias and brugmansias that have been in full flower.The masses of macadamia nuts on the ground are also noticed and some people even race up on the verandah to use our vice to open some.  Family visits are generally more frantic with children running around the path ways, looking for bugs and hanging out with Shadow.

Statues in the garden.

Well, I love a good statue as much as the next person and they definitely draw the eye and create a focus in the garden landscape. The questions are what?, why?, where ?, how ? and who?

What statue will you choose for your garden ? Do you have a spiritual need for a deity or will a classic gnome or wild animal such as a giraffe or elephant be on your wish list. These recognisable statues often tell visitors to the garden something about the owner . Sometimes they raise more questions than answers.
Statuary and garden ornamentation often includes features such as concrete balls and some abstract features involving water. It is worth mulling over the statue you will choose for some time as a rushed purchase can lead to tears.
Why? Of course the why seems such an obvious question, why not ? Statues are everywhere , they are in the shops , magazines and on tv. They are all around your suburb and they can be an inexpensive addition to any garden.   Resin , plastic and concrete statues come in all shapes, sizes and colours and there are sure to be many that will appeal to you.
Where? This is where many gardens come undone.A statue can make or break a garden. A constipated cupid sitting on a ball needs an appropriate spot in the garden,maybe a private corner?
A cheeky gnome or large green frog too needs just the right spot to make it work.
How ? This question runs through your mind as soon as you purchase the statue. First of all , How the heck is that thing going to fit in the car ? Seats down, seats up, seat belt , ropes or special delivery? If the sculpture is light weight and slightly quirky such as a family of meerkats this will be no problem unless you are using public transport. If on the other hand you are taken by a life sized version of Michelangelo's David or a Greek goddess it might be time to organise a ute or trailer and lots of blankets and ropes. The last thing you want is something to break off David!
Who ? This does not really apply to the statue but more to who is going to be viewing the statue. Who visits your garden  ? Do you want to get a reaction ? Do you want to offend? Luckily gardeners are so polite they will generally say they love your statues to your face but over on the other side of a bush they are either laughing their heads off or seriously questioning your sanity.
I say go for it , buy or make some garden statuary for now and for the archaeologists of the future. Just imagine the delight when the 2060 Time Team turn up at your place and dig up the meerkats , the oversized snail and the cheeky gnome . Kyleigh