In support of the 3D, Blu-ray and DVD release of GNOMEO & JULIET,  I was given the unique opportunity to attend a virtual roundtable featuring guest Twigs Way.  Twigs is a professional garden historian and one of the world’s experts on Garden Gnomes.  She is a prolific author, researcher and freelance lecturer,and her books reflect a wide-range of garden topics including Garden Gnomes: A History; The Cottage Garden; A Nation of Gardeners; Topiary and Virgins Weeders and Queens, a major work on the history of women in the garden.  The author is also well known for her recent publication Digging for Victory: The Wartime Garden, which celebrates the history of the war years, the marrows, communal wheelbarrows and pig clubs, as well as the humor the gardens inspired.

The meeting lasted for about two hours, yet the time seemed to fly by.  What made the discussion so interesting is Twigs knew an abundant  amount of information on gnome lore and had oodles of great stories to tell. She would be a very fun person to meet!   Check it out!

Question

In the film Gnomeo & Juliet, the gnomes had other yard statues as friends/sidekicks. Is it typical to mix gnomes with, say, the froggy fountain character (that played Juliet’s nurse) or the concrete bunnies that followed Gnomeo’s mother around?

Answer

Twigs Way: One of the things I loved about the film was the way in which this was spot on!! Traditionally gnomes were associated with rabbits or hares, probably through hunting! But as gnomelore as developed they have taken into their care deer, frogs, rabbits and even flamingoes! The deer and rabbits came out of the earlier Disney movie ‘Snow White’ which did so much for the post war gnome revival in England!

Question

How did your interest in garden gnomes come about, enough to write a whole book?

Answer

Twigs Way: Being a historian I am fascinated by the way in which people respond to certain objects and artifacts in their lives, and how those things take on a life of their own – changing over time. As a garden historian, gnomes are a fascinating example as they move across different countries and. once in England, gradually go from the upper to working class gardens. Lots to write about!!

Question

Are there female gnomes? (If so, when were female gnomes introduced into gardens?)

Answer

Twigs Way: There are now female gnomes . . . but they were very controversial when first introduced in the 1970s. How gnomes reproduced before that no-one knows . . .

Question

What is the current trend in gardening? Are people more environmentally conscious or less then in the past in how and what they put into the creation of a garden? Can garden gnomes pay a role in these?

Answer

Twigs Way: In Europe at least (I am not a specialist on USA gardens) people are much more environmentally aware – with many of us gardening organically. I guess the outbreak of ‘solar powered’ gnomes that can light up the garden could be said to help with this!

Question

Personally, do you have Gnomes?

Answer

Twigs Way: I am still looking for my perfect gnome . . .

Question

Now that the Royal Wedding is over, I know that the Chelsea Flower Show is taking front and center in the British media – do gnomes play a part in the festivities?

Answer

Twigs Way: Alas, gnomes, along with all other’ highly coloured mythical creatures’ are banned from Chelsea! Even the Royal Wedding Gnomes that were on sale here will not be allowed in!

Question

It seems that gnomes are always wearing pointy hats, regardless of time period or style. Is there any significance in the hats they typically wear, or is this simply traditional dress?

Answer

Twigs Way: The pointy hats originated in the misty past of gnomishness – when (in their original incarnation as dwarfs) they worked underground in the mines. The pointy hats gave an early warning if the roof of the mineshaft was getting too close! A kind of safety helmet if you like.

Question

What sort of things do collector’s look for in garden gnomes?

Answer

Twigs Way: Collectors look for early gnomes – generally 19th century, and prefer to collect gnomes from the best known makers such as Maresch, Griebel or Heissner.

Question

It seems that gnomes were uglier creatures at their origins, and have evolved into something a bit more cute, innocent, and helpful. Do you think that popular culture has influenced this modern (dare I say “Disney-esque”) generation of gnomes?

Answer

Twigs Way: Two things really encouraged the ‘cuteness’ of modern gnomes: the change from using carefully modelled clays and terracotta, to the use of moulded concrete and then plastics and resins. The face became much simplified (politely called ‘naive gnomes!). But it was the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs which introduced the endearing looking gnomes, as people bought up sets of seven dwarves and simply called them gnomes and placed them in their garden! In the 1950s and 60s in England you could buy both sorts.

Question

Gnomeo & Juliet was a unique mix of gnomes and Shakespeare. Were there garden gnomes in Shakespeare’s time? Did they have them then in Stratford Upon Avon?

Answer

Twigs Way: Thats a great question! Although there were not garden gnomes as such in the 16th/early 17th century, in parts of Italy, and central Europe there were small figurines called Callotten figures (after their designer Jaques Callot) also known as ‘Grotesques’. They were about 3ft high – the height of the 9th century garden gnomes – and were placed in wealthy villa gardens. They can still be seen in places such as Mirabel Gardens in Salzburg (Austria)

Question

Toy Story show us what toys are doing when we are not there! In “Gnomeo & Juliet” it’s the same with Garden’s Gnomes… Is it part of the folklore? Do people wonder what Gnomes get, and imagine them live? or is it purely decorative?

Answer

Twigs Way: Children especially are always having fun in gardens moving the gnomes around – but whether they move themselves around . . . well who knows! Its a wonderful thought that they are enjoying themselves frolicking in the undergrowth until we appear. I love that scene in the movie where they ‘freeze frame’ themselves.

Question

In American gardens, gnomes can be perceived as “kitschy” lawn decorations — have gnomes always been looked upon as eccentric, or was there ever a time when gnomes were considered fashionable in elite gardens?

Answer

Twigs Way: When gnomes were first imported into England they were indeed the ‘stately gnome’. They were very expensive, being hand made and handpainted, and appeared only in the most aristocratic of gardens. However unfortunately the first two people to fill their garden with gnomes were both eccentrics – Sir Charles Lamport (a tee totaller, spiritualist, vegetarian – eccentric in the Victorian Aristocracy, and Sir Frank Crisp) and by the early 20th century they were associated with a slight eccentricity in gardening style!

Question

In the film the Gnomes have a great time with lawnmowers. You have actually given a talk on the History of the Lawnmower. Can you give us a brief summary about them? How long ago was the first device created to ‘mow’ a lawn?

Answer

Twigs Way: Very brief . . . lawnmowers were first invented in the 1830s by a man called Budding, but did not become popular until the 1860s. He sold them as being delightful and healthy exercise for the gentleman of the house! Before that all lawns were scythed.

Question

You have written so many books and articles about gardens – is it still fun for you and do you still find new topics?

Answer

Twigs Way: Its fantastic!!! There are so many topics related to gardens and they are such important parts of peoples lives. We identify ourselves with our gardens, what we grow and what we put in them. They are both incredibly personal and also influenced by what is going on in the wider sphere of culture and politics! I shall never run out!

Question

Twigs, were you consulted on the film when they were making it, about particular garden looks and gnomes in general? If not, as a gnome expert, what did you think of the film, did they get it right?

Answer

Twigs Way: I was not consulted at the time but when I saw the preview I was delighted at how absolutely right they have made the mix. the plastic flamingo blew me away!!! And the group of concrete bunnies – I have a gnome advertisement from the 1960s that has EXACTLY those bunnies! The gnomes are a little bit of a mix of periods – the rather scantily dressed gnome is usually from the 1980s onwards – but then most people just add in gnomes over time so that kind of mix is just right.

Question

Do you know about the front for garden gnomes’ liberation?(people who steal garden gnomes to set them free. They put them in a forest for example)

Answer

Twigs Way: Yes – the Gnome Liberation Front (with similar titles in France, Italy, USA etc etc) became quite popular – but sometimes I wonder if gnomes have actually become too domestic to adapt back into the wild!

Question

Can you speak to the impact that World War II had on garden fashions since gnomes seem to have originated in Germany?

Answer

Twigs Way: This was one of the most fascinating things I discovered in my research. As you say, gnomes originated (as dwarfs or gartenzwergen) in germany – and were imported from there. In the 1st World War there are photographs of German troops posing with gartenzwergen as a kind of mascot. This connection led to a fall in popularity of gnomes in England in the immediate aftermath of the 1st world war – it was slightly different at the end of the 2nd world war, as the Disney influence (see other question) set in.

Question

When did Garden’s Gnomes first appear?

Answer

Twigs Way: The exact dates are still debated. The first garden gnomes placed on a rockery in England (at Lamport Hall) were actually adapted from indoor decorations, but we know that large garden figures which we would now call garden gnomes, were being produced in Germany in the 1860s, and were imported into England soon after. (Never ask a social historian for a specific date lol)

Question

What’s your favorite Gnome in the movie? and why?

Answer

Twigs Way: I love the concrete bunnies! But I also rather like the ‘naughty gnome’ who sings in Spanish and dances around with very little on! I am not sure why as I am not usually a fan of naughty gnomes.

Question

When was the first time you heard of the movie “Gnomeo & Juliet“?

Answer

Twigs Way: when I started to see posters of gnomes advertising it on all the bus-stops and hoardings around town – I was thrilled!!

Question

Do you think Shakespeare was (or would have be) owner or fan of Gnomes ?

Answer

Twigs Way: well he certainly had a sense of humour! But they would have been the early garden figures instead of actual gnomes – popular small figures to place in gardens in the 16th/17th century included ‘Punch’ and other member of the Commedia Del’Arte – as well as Callotten and ‘grotesque’ figures.

Question

In the film there were some cute garden stone bunnies, as a lover of rabbits yourself, can you tell us what makes a garden rabbit friendly or not?

Answer

Twigs Way: Grass!!!!! and weeds!!!

Question

Is there a difference in a German gnome, a French gnome, English gnome Swedish gnome or American gnome? What is the furthest country from their origin point Germany, that has garden gnomes? Are gnomes now global or not yet?

Answer

Twigs Way: Its all in a name – and very slightly different ‘habits’. In denmark they have Nisse who help in the farms etc and are popular at Christmas and Easter, in Germany originally they were dwarfs, but whatever they are called in their own country as soon as they pass English customs they get a passport stamped ‘garden gnome’!!

Question

What is the oldest garden gnome still in existence and where is it?

Answer

Twigs Way: The oldest one in England is ‘Lampy’ who is the only surviving gnome from the rockery at Lamport hall. He dates to c1850s or 60s.

Question

You have written a book about gardens during the second world war. What was so special at that time?

Answer

Twigs Way: Growing Food – The Dig for Victory Campaign was essential to England’s survival – before the war we imported 55 million tons of fresh foods a year – all that had to be grown at home during 1939-45

Question

Archaeology or Gardening, which is more fun for you?

Answer

Twigs Way: Both at once! The archaeology of gardens!

Question

What is THE strangest garden you have ever seen?

Answer

Twigs Way: A fantastic garden in Italy which is variously known as the Parco di Mostri or Bomarzo. It is a weird and wonderful creation of the 16th century with huge grotesque statues with influences from all over the world – giants shown upside down, houses built on a slant, a fabulous and bizarre renaissance garden.

Question

In which countries are lawn gnomes the most popular? Were there any that use to be but no longer are?

Answer

Twigs Way: Its hard to give firm figures but you still see most garden gnomes in Germany and England (particularly in the areas of old East Germany – the heartland of the garden gnome). I have seen some unusual gnomes in France – for some reason a lot of blue gnomes – whereas the traditional colours are of course red and green! Perhaps France is on the side of Gnomeo!

Question

What do you think are the psychological reasons people first started putting gnomes in their gardens? Were gnomes maybe real at one point?

Answer

Twigs Way: Sir Charles Isham, the first person to put gnomes in a garden in England, actually wrote that he would not have put them there had he not believed that there were really such things as gnomes . . although he actually calls them dwarfs.

Question

What is the best way to care for a garden gnome to insure it lasts for years?

Answer

Twigs Way: Don’t leave it out in the frost or strong sunlight, talk to it kindly, and get it some friends! And never repaint in different colours to its original (if its an antique gnome never do do-it-yourself repairs or paint jobs).

Question

How important to royalty in the UK and Europe have gardens been throughout history? Was there lots of funding for them always or was it up and down depending on the time period? Can you share with us some detailed background on this subject?

Answer

Twigs Way: Up and down – some monarchs simply weren’t interested. Elizabeth I for example loved gardens but hated spending money – so all her nobles had to create gardens which she then visited! Henry VIII had heraldic figures of panthers, lions and unicorns placed on brightly striped poles in his gardens. I guess a sort of early garden gnome in a way. Some Queens and consorts have been very involved with gardening . . princess Augusta for example founded the first Botanic Garden on the site of what is now Kew Gardens!

Question

Are Gnomes a source of conflicts between neighbors, such as in the movie?

Answer

Twigs Way: Indeed they are! Some people love them and some hate them! So I guess its more a case of one garden having them and the next not rather than in the movie.

Question

What was the initial historical practical reason for putting gnomes in a lawn or garden? What purpose did they serve? Were they meant to be like scarecrows and frighten off people and animals?

Answer

Twigs Way: In their original homeland of Germany and Bavaria they were seen as representing good fortune, guarding the house and giving it luck. They had migrated from their homes in the mines where they had helped miners, and moved into the house and garden. In countries such as Denmark they specifically helped on the farm (being called Nisse). They have never had a ‘scary’ purpose – although I have to say that I once saw a simply terrifying gnome – kind of fairground style paintwork, very realistic face, 3 ft high with a hand missing – I backed away rapidly!!

Question

Do you think Gnomes are more interesting for children or adults?

Answer

Twigs Way: Thats a really interesting question. I think children and adults often get different things from gnomes. Children imagine whole worlds around the figures, which they happily spend hours moving round the garden – especially ones that have wheelbarrows (the gnomes that is!!) which can be filled with things. People often relate to gnomes as part of a tradition – either a gardening tradition or often the gnomes itself will be something they had as a child, or bring back memories of other gardens.

Question

In the film there are all kinds of iconic lawn images, gnomes, stone bunnies, windmills, little fences, flamingos etc, how many of those are found in gardens in the UK? How much did the movie get correct and what did they get wrong in their versions of gardens? Are there toilet bowls used in many gardens?

Answer

Twigs Way: The film got it exactly right except the toilet bowl! . All of these appear associated with gnomes – although only in the most dedicated ornamental garden! Although even after doing so much research on the history of the gnome I still cannot work out how on earth the windmill fits in!! The plastic flamingo is actually a sort of ‘left over’ from the early 20th century fashion for Japanese gardens in this country.

Question

What is the most beautiful use of garden gnomes that you have seen? Can you describe what the garden looked like?

Answer

Twigs Way: There are two that spring to mind: One is a very cherished gnome, owned by the present owners grandmother, and handed down. It resides in a warm sunny spot on a balcony in cambridge – between two brightly coloured pot plants. The other is a garden I have never actually seen – but is on the front of the George Harrison album cover for All Things Must Pass. its the garden of Sur Frank Crisp, one of the original importers of the garden gnome to Engalnd. George Harrison bought the house and gardens of Sir Frank Crisp and lived and gardened there. The gnomes had been stolen at some time in the past but were returned just before the photoshoot for the album. They look perfectly at home surrounding the ex Beatle!

Question

Would you ever put a pink flamingo in your garden? Or do you already have one in it?

Answer

Twigs Way: Interesting question . . . . my garden is quite traditional ‘cottage garden’ in style so i suspect it might not feel at home (and would scare the goldfish). However I do have a plastic white rabbit!

Question

In which countries are lawn gnomes the most popular? Were there any that use to be but no longer are?

Answer

Twigs Way: I am currently writing a short book on the Edwardian garden designer Gertrude Jekyll. I am fascinated with the role of women in all aspects of gardens – they have been much neglected in the past – much like gnomes!

Question

You clearly love nature, gardens, animals and history. What is it like having so many rabbits, bantams an a tortoise? Is there an animal or garden you’d like to have if care and cost were no object?

Answer

Twigs Way: I’d love a llama – apparently they scare the foxes away – foxes are a real problem in suburban areas of England and I want to keep my hens and rabbits safe so a llama would be great!!

Question

What garden was in the worst shape you ever saw when starting one of your restoration projects? How long did it take for it to be restored?

Answer

Twigs Way: When I first arrived at a site called Gatton Park (Surrey) we could not even se where the Japanese style garden was that we were meant to be restoring! It was only because we have photographs and articles from the gardens heyday in the early 1900s that we even knew it existed! Gradually as we dredged the pond we started to discover the elements that had made up the garden – and to our delight eventually found the actual japanese stone lanterns that had been ushed into the water. We also traced the paths and found some of the original planting which had been buried and strangled beneath the rampant bamboo growth! When finished it looked just like the original photographs from 1910!

Question

Any final thoughts, fun facts, on garden gnomes you’d like to share as we close out this virtual roundtable?

Answer

Twigs Way: While I was researching my book I came across an original photograph of some gnomes in a garden in Long Island, America which was being sold on ebay. I thought it looked fascinating and so bid for it . When I eventually got the photograph sent over I found that on the back it was inscribed with the original story of how the gnomes had come to be there. In 1920 the then Prince of Wales had been invited to stay at the house of Mr and Mrs Burden of Long Island (probably to watch the polo). Worried that the Prince would feel homesick the Burdons had sent to England for a set of gnomes (complete with large toadstool ) to place in their garden! A guess my other favourite find was a photograph of gnomes in pride of place at a stand in the 1912 International Horticultural Exhibition at Chelsea – the forerunner of todays ‘Chelsea Flower Show’. The RHS has long banned gnomes at Chelsea – and so this is the only image of an official Chelsea Gnome! And a couple of interesting facts: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (author of Sherlock Holmes) believed that there really were gnomes, dwarfs and other ‘little folk’ . The firm ‘Majors Garden Ornaments’ that produced garden gnomes into the 1960s, was owned by the father of the later conservative prime minister John Major. However it is a garden gnome in the character of Tony Blair that has pride of place in the Garden History Museum in London!

Question

Gnomes appear generally as really “kitsch” objects? Are there ones that are considered “modern” Gnomes? If so what feature makes it ‘modern’ ?

Answer

Twigs Way: I guess the return to more realistic faces really marks out the modern (21st century) gnome – plus of course the increasing influence of the female gnome. Replicas of original 19th century gnomes are now widely available as well – just to confuse garden historians of the future. The naughty gnome has had his heyday fortunately and wandered off to find some traditional gnomish clothes!

 

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