Unusual Garden Art
Temporary art in a bowl of water at Chanticleer
In June, Michael and I went on the annual Scott Arboretum Associates’ Garden Day. This tour is one of the many wonderful events planned by the arboretum free of charge for its members. The tour was followed by a reception at world famous Chanticleer featuring delicious food and drink and providing an opportunity to stroll around the lovely gardens after hours.
Nursery News: Carolyn’s Shade Gardens is a retail nursery located in Bryn Mawr, PA, specializing in showy, colorful, and unusual plants for shade. The only plants that we ship are snowdrops and miniature hostas. For catalogues and announcements of events, please send your full name, location, and phone number (for back up use only) to carolyn@carolynsshadegardens.com. Click here to get to the home page of our website for catalogues and information about our nursery and to subscribe to our blog.
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Unfortunately, I didn’t record the name of this arresting sculpture.
One of the homes on the tour featured a collection of very unusual sculptures or installations. I didn’t count them, but it seemed like there could have been at least 100 and maybe more. Most of them were not what for want of a better term I will call “pretty art”; in fact, some of them were quite disturbing. Would you want the boxer above greeting you every time you entered your driveway? It really got me thinking about the age old question of what is art?
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There were many of these installations, if that is the right term, in the woodlands surrounding the house.
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untitled, Will Dexter, cast glass and steel
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untitled, Bob Harrington, mahogany
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“Sleeping Beauty”, Debra Rosenblum
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“Arboreal Timbre”, Greg Leavitt, copper and steel. This life size metal tree was right outside the front door.
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“Throne”, Peter Diepenbrock, metal washers
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“Emergence”, Debra Rosenblum, bronze and slate
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This is not the accumulation of an eccentric included on the tour for some obscure reason, but the well-respected collection of an art connoisseur frequently visited by groups from prominent area art institutions. I am definitely of the opinion that beauty (or if not beauty, then interest) is in the eye of the beholder, and everyone is entitled to design their garden in the way most pleasing to them. I found the garden thought provoking, and maybe that’s part of the owner’s intention. It is still hard for me to think of some of this as art. What do you think?
Carolyn
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Carolyn’s Shade Gardens is a local retail nursery in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, U.S., zone 6b/7a. The only plants that we mail order are snowdrops and miniature hostas and only within the US.
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CAROLYN'S SHADE GARDENS 
October 1, 2015 at 8:03 pm
Very interesting, Carolyn. I don’t have any trouble seeing all of the pieces you’ve shown as art. Whether it is art I would want to live with is another matter — although i think I would really enjoy “Arboreal Timbre.”
October 1, 2015 at 8:40 pm
Jean, I would rather have a real tree like a sculptural Japanese maple or native dogwood outside my door than a sculpture of a tree no matter how special. However, I am a firm believer that gardeners should design their gardens for themselves and not an audience. [Although, if you follow certain rules of design, the result may be more satisfying for everyone.] I admire this gardener/art collector for following her passion fully without restraint. Not many people are brave enough to do that. Carolyn
October 1, 2015 at 8:22 pm
Sometimes a rose is best left alone.
October 1, 2015 at 8:43 pm
I won’t presume to understand your comment completely, but plants were not the focus of this garden and were just the background for the art. In my garden, the hardscape, art, and seating are quiet compliments to the plants on center stage. Carolyn
December 9, 2015 at 3:19 pm
Carolyn, I don’t recall the context, but I’m sure it was meant in positive or perhaps humorous way. Just discovered this. I just admired your winter garden post and especially the white tea camellia. I live in Louisiana and so grow camellias with ease, but I can appreciate losing one to weather.
December 10, 2015 at 8:52 am
Camellias don’t grow easily here so its nice to have a good camellia season.
October 1, 2015 at 9:53 pm
I’m really sorry to say this but I think the Emperor has no clothes.
October 2, 2015 at 8:49 am
That’s very funny, Clara.
October 1, 2015 at 10:12 pm
How interesting! I liked some better than others–particularly “Emergence” and “Sleeping Beauty.” And that first bowl filled with petals and stems is incredibly beautiful. Sounds like your tour was a feast for all the senses!
October 2, 2015 at 8:50 am
Beth, Chanticleer always has very creative floating arrangements in bowls in various locations around the gardens. They also have stunning flower arrangements in the bathrooms. Carolyn
October 2, 2015 at 5:51 am
Interesting! I don’t think I would want to live with any of them but can admire the gardener for having them in her garden. I have a few of my carvings in the garden here, but the plants always come first.
October 2, 2015 at 9:14 pm
Pauline, Yes, I can admire the owner for going for her vision even if I don’t completely understand it. Carolyn
October 2, 2015 at 7:19 am
Hi Carolyn, I am sure you have been to the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton NJ. A Must! Anytime of year.
Janine
October 2, 2015 at 9:13 pm
Janine, I have visited the Grounds for Sculpture and love it. I guess this garden is a little like it but kind of weird to find something similar in a private garden. Carolyn
October 5, 2015 at 11:44 pm
Carolyn, I so appreciate your site and I love your openness with the various types of works and landscaping out there. Thank you for always showing us things that gives everyone something to enjoy. That is the beauty of gardening, there is something for everyone! 🙂 Keep up the great work Carolyn… love it!
October 6, 2015 at 8:30 am
Glad you enjoy the blog, Anna, thanks for the encouragement. Carolyn
October 13, 2015 at 5:50 pm
Most is not my idea of art that I would like….maybe the metal tree, but really I like wood trees…yes art is in the eye of the beholder I would say.
November 9, 2015 at 4:42 pm
The art and displays are really interesting. Very unusual for sure.
November 19, 2015 at 1:04 pm
Well, I guess art comes in many forms and I do like some of them. As you didn’t record the name of this arresting sculpture, I will not make a claim for misuse to the likeness of myself.
November 23, 2015 at 3:05 pm
So that’s what you look like Alistair! I tried to find that name but it wasn’t on the homeowner’s website, and the sculpture was so scary that I didn’t want to get too close :-).
November 23, 2015 at 2:58 pm
An interesting garden, but not my taste. I would have enjoyed the tour just for the opportunity to attend a reception at Chanticleer. Good to hear from you Carolyn. I hope the renovations are going well. Happy Thanksgiving! P. x
November 23, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Yes, the Chanticleer reception was great although it was about 95 degrees that day. Hard to imagine that now. Happy Thanksgiving to you and HH.