Each year there's a passionate discussion about what plant summed up the year's Fling gardens (what's the Fling?). It's usually referred to as the "Fling Flower" but since one of this year's finalists was "bananas"—lumping together the many different kinds of bananas we saw—it's obviously not just a floral award. My vote for Fling Flower this year went to the hardy begonia, Begonia grandis—or maybe even those hairy balls (Gomphocarpus physocarpus) I mentioned on Friday. Both were everywhere and much more surprising to my eyes than the bananas.
The most remarkable repeated element I noticed however were the many metal watering cans. Used, loved, functional as well as good-looking. Considering I came away with 12 different photos and I wasn't even on the lookout to track them (at least for the first few sightings), I think that proves they were a Fling thing...
At the Morris Arboretum
Chanticleer#2
Chanticleer #5
Northview #2
Northview #3
What about you, do you use a metal can? Or do you prefer the lightweight durable plastic styles? I have four different metal cans, I love them all. This one was my great grandmother's on my mom's side. It's dear to my heart.
This one became mine when a neighbor moved away and left it behind.
I bought this one at a tag sale, a gardener moving on who didn't need it any longer.
This one I picked up at a second hand shop.
I do however lust after a galvanized Haws can with it's watering rose and comfortable handle, you know, if you're looking for a gift for your favorite blogger...
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I have both plastic and metal watering cans but I much prefer the latter. They're generally more expensive but they do last longer.
ReplyDeleteI broke down and bought a plastic watering can to keep by the stock tank pond and dunk to water a few things nearby, I couldn't believe how quick the color faded and the plastic degraded.
DeleteI love my metal one but use a smaller plastic one indoors.
ReplyDeleteOh, me too. Hmm, maybe I need to upgrade!
DeleteFun! I guess I noticed them, but I didn't think to keep track. Great photos and observations. :)
ReplyDeleteI've seen a coupe I missed in other's Fling photos. I wonder how many I would have spotted if I had been keeping track?
DeleteLove the metal! Have one that I bought new around 2010 and another from my mom, who has about 5 that are never used, just displayed in her garden.
ReplyDeleteOn a totally off-topic note Loree, I just picked up Dasylirion quadrangulatum at Dancing Oaks. Have you grown it? If so how did that go? I will keep it in a container this winter but definitely outside. Any growing tips much appreciated!
Never used!?! How does a gardener not use a watering can?
DeleteI have grown that dasylirion (if you ever want to check just look at my plant list, although it's out of date—a winter project—http://www.thedangergarden.com/p/my-plants-list.html) but it's dead now. I think it just didn't get enough sun and too much winter wet.
Yeah I don't know how she does it either. Shes extremely frugal with water (good for her!), and only ever waters plants with collected rainwater, dumping from various buckets here and there throughout her garden. She somehow makes it work and has a lovely garden.This is in Minnesota but on the drier west half, and its been super-dry there the last few years.
DeleteClearly, Andrew Bunting's watering cans qualify as 'art'... I confess to having 4 plastic cans. I had a metal one but it leaked eventually. What a great topic for a blog.
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt! That image at Andrew Bunting's might just be the official Fling photo!
DeleteWe were in NYC in 1998 and discovered the Smith and Hawken store. As it was our 10th wedding anniversary, Mark let me splurge big time on a pair of 2-Imperial gallon Haws cans. The most comfortable and attractive of all the cans I own. But heavy enough when filled that it’s helpful to have a pair to keep you balanced. I’ve been using them now for 25 years. Love every photo here but esp. your can that says “WATER” on it. Cool.
ReplyDeleteAh—I am jealous! That "WATER" can lacks the upper handle so I admit to carrying it by the half lid. It works...
DeleteIf you want to see plastic degrade, you should garden in Phoenix! Yikes! However, I use plastic because the are lighter and because they are cheap! I love the metal cans though!
ReplyDeleteI think you deserve to treat yourself with a nice new metal can.
DeleteI have my grandmother's metal watering can and several metal buckets. They all have that squeak and clang that recalls to mind other times.
ReplyDeleteYes! Those are the best!
DeleteThat Belvidere #2 vignette is awesome. I had a Hawes in my Amazon cart for a long time--then they made it "unavailable". Maybe some day. Or not.
ReplyDelete