I was very excited to read that a whimsical garden is “going to be huge in 2023”! I would definitely classify my gardens as whimsical!
What is a whimsical garden? The articles refer to it as an English cottage garden’s edgier, more eclectic cousin. It is characterized by unique shapes, lots of texture, pops of bold color, unexpected features, and plenty of creativity. Its unexpectedly striking garden accents are fun, fresh, and festive. And sure to draw smiles.
More maximalist rather than minimalist, it can be a little chaotic at first glance.You can go quirky – unexpected planters, mushroom and gnome statues, wind chimes, and non-traditional accents. The key for a whimsical garden to look curated and modern rather than kitschy and overdone is to practice restraint and know where to draw the line. (Now that is an aspect I’m going to have to watch out for!)
Whimsical gardens have repurposed items, such as bathtubs, toilets, wheelbarrows, cinder blocks, retired garden equipment, glass bottles, old metal objects, or architectural castoffs… sometimes incorporated into whimsical garden art.
I’ve got lots of the elements of a whimsical garden (see picture header for some of them, and some others in previous blog here). My latest whimsical garden art – repurposed golf balls! Yes, flowers that can’t die are a big part of my whimsical art. .
Not only am I on-trend with whimsical gardening, but also I’ve made and loved the “It-Drink” of the summer. Last year’s drink of the summer was the Aperol Spritz, which I didn’t hear about and try until this summer. This year I was more in-tune on social media and learned the It-Drink for summer 23 is a Hugo Spritz. And so, I shopped for the elderflower liqueur and limes, joined up with friends who brought Prosecco and fresh mint, and we had a pool party! All I can say is “yum”.
Driving a Jeep, having an on-trend whimsical garden, and drinking the It-Drink of the summer…. Who is this person?!?
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Oh I’m so glad to hear I’m on trend – just had a holiday in Italy and discovered Hugo spritz there. I thought it was perhaps just a regional Italian drink. They were certainly delicious!
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They are delicious. But be aware, the elderflower liqueur is not cheap. I’m not sure how often I’ll be willing to imbibe on them!
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I think the ones I had in Italy used elderflower cordial so hopefully cheaper plus less alcoholic!
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Oh my goodness -thank you and well done. I obviously need a good shake up when I am still tending an English cottage garden (no gnomes in sight) and sipping Pimms. I have recently been thinking of ripping up part of the lawn to create a meditation space, and now it sounds like a Hugo Spritz in hand might just go perfectly.
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I ripped up parts of the yard last year to put in two new planting beds. Hubby thought they looked like ponds and when he garbage picked (yes, he does that) a bunch of rubber ducks, he added them to the spaces. So, no English cottage garden at all here. It was nice to know a whimsical garden was a thing. A meditation space sounds simply delightful, too.
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Look at you go with being all trendy. I guess I have a bit of a whimsical garden as mine is full of old things. A seeder, a bed pan, rads, a wagon, a sewing nachine and assorted other things. But mostly I did it to fill up space as it’s huge.
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Bernie – I love it! I’d be turning the wagon into a planter for sure. Makes me think I should look for one. Not sure about the bedpan though! In one house we lived in, a neighbor had all kinds of architectural artifacts from old buildings. I always liked the look of that too. I’m going to need to think if my yard has any kind of theme.
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The bedpan is because I am a nurse and remember using those big old clunky cold metal ones!
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Hi Pat! Look at you on the cutting edge of the trends, I love it 😊 Your garden sounds fun and I’ll have to see if I can find that drink locally cuz it sounds divine!
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Sharon, We made them ourselves – super easy. And I’m not usually a cocktail maker. [Although I can tell you, the elderflower liqueur was not cheap!]
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You are an inspiration. I’ve never tried to have a whimsical garden, but you make it look delightful. Have a Hugo Spritz on me. I hear they’re delicious.
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I have always loved “yard art”. At first, it was something in my garden that I couldn’t kill. Now I’m having fun making it.
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Well, this was fun! Glad to see you are embracing your inner-child and enjoying life.
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Love that thought of embracing my inner child! I also felt the need to post something happy. It’s been a tough year, and yeah, the summer heat is getting to me a bit.
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Wow! You’re the new “It Girl”! Go you for being a trendsetter and for celebrating all the fun things of summer. I love your whimsical garden and I’m glad you’re up there with the in-crowd 😀
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LOL. Not quite but it’s fun to think I’m kinda hip. Of course, my millennial niece informed me that saying “on trend” indicated I’m not at all! Apparently the right term these days is on-point.
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Seems like a fun summer to me!!!!! And you sound like someone who is really enjoying the summer and life! And that’s fantastic! I’m going to have to check out this Hugo Spritz, it sounds delicious! I’m behind the times and have enjoyed a Moscow Mule several times the summer.
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The Hugo Spritz was quite yummy, although I do like a Moscow Mule as well. So many fun drinks, so little time.
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