Garden of ideas

BY BRAVETTA HASSELL World Scene Writer
Saturday, December 01, 2012

The Garden Trug’s Marcy Smith knows there is practically no bad gift for the garden lover.

Except maybe weed killer.

“That might be the equivalent of a lump of coal in their stocking,” Smith said.

But there are far more items that make thoughtful presents for your horticulturist family member or friend.

There is nothing like a garden gnome. Or, if that is a little more quirky than the gift recipient’s taste, consider ergonomic hand tools, a terrarium kit, a unique bird feeder, or olive oil and vinegar — gifts they can use come herb time.

Think about gifts you can use when it’s cold outside, Smith said.

Bulbs can be forced indoors for later transplanting when the weather warms.

“It gets you thinking about the spring,” Smith said.

Southwood Landscape & Garden Center’s Stephen Smith lists a variety of gift options, warning against anything cheap or cheesy.

His favorite idea right now is the arbor gift.

“(There’s) one family, every time they have a kid or grandkid, they plant a tree,” Stephen Smith said.

He offered tuned wind chimes, unique bird houses and bird feeders, upscale scented candles and garden lanterns as among Southwood’s offerings for garden gifts this holiday season.

Also consider giving the gift of information with the Oklahoma Gardener’s Guide by Steve Dobbs, who formerly worked with the extension center. The book touches on a variety of gardening topics and discusses what works in Oklahoma.

Maree Gaetani, a spokeswoman for the Gardener’s Supply Company, said that such items as a garden kneeler, tools and gloves are always appreciated by the garden enthusiast.

Some ideas include: The Crystal Rainbow Makers from Gardener’s Supply Company made of Austrian crystal that catch the sun and create a cascade of rainbows in the room the suncatchers are hanging.

Some fun Art Glass Flowers also out of the Gardener’s Supply Company, which are made of handblown glass and attached to a footed stake, add a nice decorative touch to any garden border. Colors include amber red, aqua blue and lemon yellow.

Or the Martha Stewart Living 5¾-inch 3-Tine Cultivator sold at The Home Depot that is just as sleek looking as it is strong enough to break up dirt.

Other garden gift ideas include:

• Fairy gardening accessories

• Topiary rosemary

• Live-cut wreaths or a live evergreen that can be planted

• Unique bird feeders.

• Succulents for indoor gardens

• Bonsai

• Trees and shrubs

• Heirloom seed packets that your garden enthusiast can start in the spring

• Garden magazine subscriptions

• The Farmers’ Almanac 2013

Bravetta Hassell 918-581-8316 bravetta.hassell@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

Gnomes from The Garden Trug Courtesy

Red Wood Wreaths (gardeners.com, $19.49-$27.49) Courtesy

Gold Leaf Dry Touch Gloves (gardeners. com, $38.95) Courtesy

The Rue (Bogsfootwear.com, $70) Courtesy

Birdseed Eggs, set of 12 (gardeners.com, $15.49) Courtesy

Herb Drying Rack (gardeners.com, $24.95) Courtesy