For the Closet Hobbit

Green Thumb Gift Guide: Twiggy and Mossy

12/8/09 4:50 PM

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Courtesy of, clockwise from top left, White Flower Farm, inspiredbymarie, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Gift Shop, Ten Thousand Villages, and Plow and Hearth

I like my garden touches to be rustic. The more the surrounding woodlands can creep into my garden by way of a wattle fence or a lichen- and moss-covered birdhouse, the better. Here are a few gift ideas for the gardener in your life who has secret hobbit tendencies and would like to encourage the occasional gnome or forest sprite to take up residence. Also included is a quick idea on how to make a statue or terracotta mossy—all by yourself—with a little buttermilk and time. Some links:

Courtesy of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Gift Shop

Back to Nature Birdhouse from inspiredbymarie’s Etsy shop—$40.00

Willow Wattle Fencing from Plow and Hearth - $14.99 (on sale!)

Rustic Twig Tower

from White Flower Farm—$79.95

Garden Mushroom from The Brooklyn Botanic Garden Gift Shop - $14.00

Twiggy Triple Planter from Ten Thousand Villages - $28.00

If you would like to make a go at making your own mossy-covered garden accents, find a bit of moss from your yard, and throw it in a blender with equal parts buttermilk and water. Paint it on your stone or terracotta, and spritz with water occasionally (especially if you are having a dry spell). You can also buy pre-made moss milkshake makings from Moss Acres for $29.95.