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Monday, March 19, 2007

Potted People


I'm not sure when I saw my first potted person, it was probably at a flower show. One thing I knew right away though, I had to have one of them in my own garden.

Although I had seen a few smaller potted people, the first one I saw in a private garden was a majestic seated one. There I was, in a lovely garden with 100 people snapping away photos of the daylilies and all I could do was stare in wonder at this potted person.


Of course ideas come and go, so my mind quickly forgot all about having one of these people in my garden. Then I went on another garden tour, this one on Eastern Long Island where I saw this incredible standing creature. I was sold, I just had to have one of these for myself.


In the summer of 2005 I took my daughters along on the National tour of the American Hemerocallis Society which was in Cincinnati OH that year. Emily and I just loved all the potted people and even dogs that we saw.


In the spring of 2006 I designed a children's garden at the Hofstra flower show entitled "Grandma's Garden". Of course the garden needed a Grandma and my chance finally came. I could make a potted grandma!

Well, few things from the flower show usually come home with me but this time I brought home that bunch of pots. We're still working out the right combination of plant material for "hair" but since she is a grandma, we thought we'd try something blue.

The Lobelia was perfect until mid summer, this year I'll have to find something even better. Of course in our garden she's no longer Grandma, she's Omi.

9 comments:

Gotta Garden said...

These are so funny! I think I actually saw a kit for one...let me think...maybe at Andre Viette's last summer?? But, much better are the ones you create...love the blue hair!

Melanie Chopay said...

Hi GG,

It took a bit of work for me to figure out how to make on of these on my own. As soon as we thaw out I'll take photos and post a blog on how to build a potted person.

I like the blue hair too, I think it needs to fill the whole pot though instead of just hanging over one of Omi's ears!

Anita said...

Your potted people are very funny, indeed! So far, I've just seen some smaler potted people made of 4 - 5 pots but never such big ones! Well done!

Oh, a tutorial on potted people sounds great, hope I won't miss it!

Melanie Chopay said...

Thanks Anita,

The big potted people are not often seen around here. I think the hardest part is getting the heavier pots to stay together. Finding the right product to hold the pots apart was another problem for me.

I'll post a tutorial program here in a few weeks :-)

Linda said...

What great pot people. I've got all the pots in the garage ready to make one this year.

Gotta Garden said...

Just wanted to check in on you and tell you that you're missed...hope all is well...how was the Canada event?

Melanie Chopay said...

It's getting closer and closer to garden season! I can't wait to play with my pot people again.

Silly me hurt my back while trying to give my dog a haircut! She's going to have to "go long" now because I need my back in the garden!

Glad to be back posting again :-)

Anonymous said...

I had the best time reading this post. I've got a pot person on file that a lady did down in Texas. I can't wait to do it in my new garden. The upside down one is very clever.

Anonymous said...

Great! I look forward to directions to make my own potted people!


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