Bottle Trees

While the guys were working on the new hardening off shed today, I dug a hole and 'planted' a 12' tall sweetgum tree to be our "Bottle Tree." I thought I had a lot of bottles gathered up for the tree, but once I started placing them, I realized I'm gonna need a lot more!

We're building a new herb garden (well, enlarging a current one) and the Bottle Tree will be the focal point of a huge section. I plan to plant a Thumbergia vine at the bottom and let it trail up the tree making a backdrop for the brightly colored and clear glass bottles. Even though it was quite windy today, I was disappointed that I couldn't hear any sound coming from them. Since they hadn't been up long enough to capture spirits, I guess that's why they stayed silent.

For those that aren't familiar with the custom, it is an old Southern tradition to either hang or stick glass bottles (especially blue ones) from a tree near a house or building. This custom came from the Congo by slaves who hung blue bottles from trees near their cabins as talismans to ward off evil spirits. It was believed that the spirits are captivated by the sparkling of the glass in the sunshine and get trapped inside... much like flies and bees and fireflies. When the wind blows, you can hear the moans of the spirits trying to warn other evil spirits to stay awayyyyyyyy.

You may see hollow glass spheres called "Witch Balls" for sale at some garden centers, and these are a derivative of this same custom.

Bottle trees have come a long way from their lowly beginnings and now are displayed as popular accessories in some of the prestigious gardens around the world. Eudora Welty gave Bottle Trees a new birth of popularity after she included one in one of her Southern stories. This B/W photograph is one she took when researching for the book.

The first bottle I placed on our bottle tree was a Log Cabin Syrup bottle. From the days when it still was bottled in glass. It was one of the last years, as it has a flat space for a label instead of having the letters etched or raised. These bottles were headed to the dump when our friend Rick cleaned out his basement. The previous owner of his house was Royce Armstrong (the Royce of the garden story in my "Growing up Southern" blog) so it's nice to have a little memory-piece of a now-deceased neighbor among the wine and liquor bottles on the tree.

I used to have a huge bottle collection, which means I guess a trip into the attic to try to find it so I can display some of the more brightly colored ones on our tree. Luckily, the best part of having a Bottle Tree is that no two are supposed to be alike, and a little bit misshapen and lop-sided just adds character.

Frankly, since I hate Sweetgum trees, I'm glad to finally find a use for one.

As always, the artwork and photos I've included have been sent to me by various people and I have no idea who to credit. If it's your work, let me know and I'll give you proper credit.

Wedding Herbs

With my wedding looming ever closer, and after having made the final decision to get married here on our farm, I'm dithering about trying to get all my ducks in a row. Not actual ducks...that's one of the few critters we don't have (yet), but all of the tiny little details that brides have to consider.

It goes without saying that herbs will play a big part in our wedding. Not only will be married surrounded by herbs growing in the ground and in containers, but they will be the mainstay of all of our floral arrangements and bridal bouquets. The flower girls won't be tossing rose petals, but instead a potpourri of dried herb leaves and white yarrow seeds. The path that we walk that day will forever be covered with white yarrow blossoms. (I love the fact that you can mow yarrow down to just inches high and it will still bloom profusely!)

Lavender not only decided the color scheme for the wedding, but also the symbolic theme. Since Victorian times Lavender has been a mainstay in bridal bouquets as a symbol of Devotion.

Chamomile is included as a symbol of Patience, which everyone headed into marriage should know is necessary for any relationship to survive.

Ivy symbolizes the perfect Wedded Love in which two hearts entwine.

Fuzzy leaves of Lamb’s Ears are included as a symbol of Support.

Rosemary has been used in weddings for centuries to signify Fidelity and Remembrance.

Roses are included to symbolize Love and Purity. White Roses specifically signify the joy of new begin nings. (A bride’s dress is not traditionally white to signify “innocence” as is commonly believed, but since medieval times has been worn as a symbol of great joy).

Oregano is included as a wish for Happiness for the newly wedded couple.

Mint leaves join other greenery as a hope of Prosperity tin the newlyweds’ future.

Sage is included for Domestic Virtue.

Thyme signifies the Courage that is required to embark on a lifetime journey together.

Yarrow leaves and blooms add color and texture to floral bouquets and container plantings along with a promise of Everlasting Love. White yarrow seeds are included in the potpourri mixture tossed by our Flower Girls, so that the path we walk on our wedding day will be forever white with yarrow blossoms.

Parsley, considered by the ancients as a death herb, is included in our wedding as a reminder of our promise to each other that our love will last to Death and beyond.

The geranium symbolizes Unity and Friendship, so scented geraniums (or pelargoniums) will play a large part in the floral plantings and arrangements at our wedding. I plan to have a large standard of Filbert pelargoniums at each side of our canopy. Hopefully they'll be in full bloom, which will add a dash of lusty rose color to our otherwise lavender and mint green color scheme.

I'll hope to see you all there. April 24th, probably at 4:00 (time not set yet pending flight arrival times of some of the wedding party).