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You are here: Home / Blogging / But what’s wrong with plastic swan garden planters?

But what’s wrong with plastic swan garden planters?

September 25, 2008 by Andrea Bellamy 9 Comments

I recently updated my About page. It wasn’t just that it was time for an update. I’d also been feeling uncomfortable with some of the language I’d used when I first wrote it a million years ago in 2005. Here’s an excerpt from the old About:

Heavy Petal’s mission is to demonstrate that gardening isn’t just for the suburban, the aged, or the hopelessly unfashionable. Rejecting horticultural snobbery along with plastic swan garden planters, Heavy Petal is gardening – from an urban, organic perspective.

It’s pretty obvious that gardening is no longer strictly in the realm of little old ladies with acreage, if it ever was. This is especially the case if you look at gardening the way I’ve come to define it. But in the past few years, gardening has become – heaven help us – hip. We’ve heard it all: it’s the new rock n’ roll, the new knitting, the new whatever.

So I don’t think I need to “demonstrate that gardening isn’t just for the suburban, the aged, or the hopelessly unfashionable.” We know that already. Duh.

And what about my take on, er, less subtle forms of garden decor? While there’s definitely a part of me that takes an evil delight in making snarky comments about other people’s take on style, I’ve mellowed a bit. Maybe it’s the neighbourhood I live in – I’m just happy when people make some sort of effort, even if it’s not to my particular taste. And if someone’s obviously enjoying their garden, who am I to judge?

Take the above photo, for example. That yard totally belongs in the WTF category. And yet. Someone’s having fun there (or perhaps, as the Brits would say, “taking the Mick”). Is that so wrong? Depends on what kind of day it is, but now, at least once in a while, I might say “nope.” Either my sweet little baby is turning me soft, or I’m getting old. Christ.

I mean, you still won’t find plastic swan garden planters here, but for today at least I’ll say more power to you if you love them. As long as you’re gardening.

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Filed Under: Blogging, Garden Design Tagged With: gardening, kitsch

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Comments

  1. Laurel says

    September 26, 2008 at 4:26 am

    Hehe. I think that we all have our pet peeves, and we’ll probably make snarky comments about it ;)

    One of my personal ones when it comes to the realm pf gardening is fake plants. There are few people in my neighbourhood who put them in their gardens and on their balconies. *grrr*

  2. Nancy says

    September 26, 2008 at 5:13 am

    I do believe anything that over the top is either a statement, or simply enjoys a quirky (and harmless) passion for collecting white plastc planters, arches… If it makes them happy, like you, I may give a mental wince, and a cheery “more power to you!” to the gardener.

  3. PlantingOaks says

    September 26, 2008 at 10:30 am

    I think the real problem with plastic swan planters (and the like) is people plop them down without thought or attention. ‘hmm, this looks like the cheapest, easiest way I could possibly get something resembling a garden – which is something I’m socially obligated to have’ and then leave them to mildew with dead plants in them.

    The pictured garden is clean, maintained, and purposeful. Someone really thought ‘these plastic things are *exactly* the right stuff to make my yard just the way I want it’. So you’re right, more power to them.

  4. Lisa MacAulay says

    September 26, 2008 at 11:05 pm

    Oh that plastic swan garden is so so funny, love the pic!

  5. Andrea Bellamy says

    September 27, 2008 at 12:45 pm

    Laurel – Oh, I hate fake plants, too! I just don’t get it.

    Nancy – so true.

    PlantingOaks – good point. They’re often accompanied by dead plants, aren’t they? And yes, the pictured garden was created with vision and purpose. :)

    Lisa – thanks! We happened to see it when we went to the Avalon Dairy open house thing earlier this month.

  6. Kevin says

    September 27, 2008 at 9:51 pm

    I can’t believe I am about to write in defence of this garden .. although I think it could be one of my neighbours! In East Van there seem to be as many of these type, where the owner has eschewed artful modern design and carefully coordinate bloom times for putting a plastic monkey in the monkey-puzzle tree.

    Anyway, my point is, when I pass one like this with my almost-three-year-old twins, they love it and we have to stop and talk about gardens for a bit.. it all feeds into my plan to raise them as little urban gardeners.

    Thanks for the photo!

  7. Thystle says

    September 29, 2008 at 3:31 pm

    I would blame it on the baby and run with it. Thank goodness for my son; he gave me permission to change my thoughts on so many things and become a totally different person – um, yeah, its the mommy hormones. Growing as person…growing in the garden – it’s all good! I’m looking forward to any changes.

  8. Andrea Bellamy says

    September 30, 2008 at 9:37 am

    Kevin – I agree – this garden brings a smile to everyone’s face. And I can see how the kids must love it!

    Thystle – Lila takes the heat for a lot these days ;) You’re right – having a child completely changes your perspective on everything!

  9. Gabrielle Marsden says

    July 10, 2009 at 5:58 am

    I have a swan planter and am quite proud of it. Mine is filled with live plants and has received a few complements, but I live in Pittsburgh.

    Actually, I stumbled on this as I was looking for some sort of other cheesy planter. I guess it’s hard to surpass the swan.

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