Whimsy in the Garden...This ain't your Mama's Flower Bed!

Whimsy…the first time I ever heard that word was in a job interview. It was the summer before my son would be going into 2nd grade, and I was applying for the position of "Media Paraprofessional" at his elementary school. Media Paraprofessional is a fancy way of saying I was applying to work as the assistant to the school Librarian, i.e., Media Specialist.

As I was standing up to leave at the close of the interview, the Media Specialist looked at me and said, "I like you, you have whimsy!" I didn’t have a clue what she meant at the time, but I shook her hand and thanked her anyway. Later, after we had been working together for a few weeks, I asked what she meant that day. She said she knew she liked me the moment we met because I was wearing a nice "interview" suit with a belt that was covered in colorful animals. Hey, it was the early 90's and I was styling! Who knew a belt could help you get a job! (LOL)

One of the online dictionaries defines whimsy as:
1. capricious humor or disposition; extravagant, fanciful, or excessively playful expression
2. an odd or fanciful notion

I can't think of a better place for a bit of "capricious humor" or "extravagant, fanciful or excessively playful expression" than in the garden! Here's 12 fabulous ways to add a bit of whimsy to your garden: