Looking for a gift for a bog or wetland gardener – someone who loves those wet places around the garden pond? Wetland gardeners can be a quirky lot, but they’re always delighted to receive gifts that support their hobby. Whether it’s an exotic plant, a water feature, or an animal habitat, wetland gardeners will love these gift ideas that suit a range of budgets.
Exotic Wetland Plants
Skunk cabbage, miniature hostas, exotic ferns and interesting edible plants – all of these are welcome additions to the bog or wetland garden, and they may not be in the gardener’s usual budget. Add to their collection of rare and beloved plants, but make sure to ask for a species list first! Each plant likely runs from $10 to $40, depending on its size, rarity, and if it needs to be shipped from a specialist nursery.
A Miniature Wetland Garden
For the wetland gardener who has big dreams but only a little bit of space, collect the plants and the materials to create a miniature wetland garden. Whether this is a tiny garden in a small, wet corner of a yard or a container garden, a miniature wetland garden is perfect for those with a patio space or a small corner of the yard to devote to a wetland. Depending on the price range of the buyer, a small wetland garden can run up to $100 or more.
A Rain Chain
A rain chain is a chain that replaces a downspout. Rain chains have traditionally been used in temples, where they carry rain downwards in a melodious and beautiful manner. For the wetland gardener, the bonus of adding a rain chain is that it can descend into a rain garden, an area where the water puddles. Add rushes and sedges to create a garden under the rain chain. Rain chains start at $50.
Water Features Like Pondless Waterfalls and Fountains
Every wet garden needs a source of moisture. If the garden is not wet already, then it’s possible to create a wet place using a splashing fountain or even a pondless waterfall. Installations like pondless waterfalls are something to discuss beforehand, since they can be pricey and they will become a feature of the garden landscape. Pondless waterfalls are an ideal group gift, since they run into the hundreds of dollars.
Homes for Wetland Wildlife
Looking for a less expensive but very useful item for the wetland garden? Try a frog home or a bird bath. Bee houses are also useful, since bees pollinate wetland plants. Creating homes for garden wildlife adds a whole new aspect to the wetland garden – it develops it as an intentional haven for wetland animals. Since their natural homes are rapidly disappearing, the more habitat, the better. A wetland wildlife home is generally $50 or less.
Create a Wet Place in the Garden
Don’t underestimate the power of a helping hand. For those gardeners who have always wanted a swale, a rain garden, or a bog garden, offer volunteer labor to create that place. Supporting the wetland gardener’s desire to have a wet garden can be one of the best gifts, and it’s free!
These gifts will delight the wetland gardener, whatever the budget of the gift-giver might be. Creating a wetland and wildlife habitat around a home is not always simple, but it’s a delightful hobby that lends itself well to gift-giving in a variety of price ranges. Enjoy hunting through plant catalogues or planning an amazing water feature!
HOL101
Tricia Edgar - Tricia Edgar is a gardener, environmental educator, and science writer from the Pacific Northwest.
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