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Award winner author of gardening humor books

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May Dreams Gardens

Garden Sculpture: Catch a Tiger by the Tail

April 23, 2012 By Carol Michel 13 Comments

I accomplished another goal for the garden redesign project today when I purchased some seven colorful tiger tails and three long leaves from Girly Steel to set up in the high summer garden called August Dreams Garden.

The garden designer originally suggested and chose plants that will bloom primarily in late summer and fall for this garden area, which means that for the rest of the year, there’s not much going on in it.

Now there will be colorful tiger tails bobbing and dancing in the breeze year round. 

Collectively, I’m calling this grouping “Catch a Tiger by the Tail”.  You may interpret its meaning any way you wish or not at all.

But if someone asks me, I’ll tell them it means to conquer your fears, grab that tiger by the tail and see what happens.  The worst that can happen is you have to let go.   The best that could happen is you might tame that tiger and be ready to move on to a bigger tiger.

Nope, I’m not telling you what my tigers are.  I’ll grab those tails in due time, in and out of the garden.  Or maybe, I’ll grab the tails by the tigers?

It’s good to have reminders to try new things, to conquer fears.

It’s even better to have a new garden sculpture made by a local artist be that reminder.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: garden design

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. chuck b. says

    April 23, 2012 at 4:09 am

    Very cool. Do they move around a bit, in a good wind?

    Reply
  2. Lea says

    April 23, 2012 at 4:52 am

    Love those tiger tails!
    Happy gardening!
    Lea
    Lea's Menagerie

    Reply
  3. growingagardenindavis says

    April 23, 2012 at 4:57 am

    Love the sculpture…and I really love Fraggle Rock! Good memories of my kids' childhood.

    Reply
  4. mr_subjunctive says

    April 23, 2012 at 5:43 am

    But if someone asks me, I'll tell them it means to conquer your fears, grab that tiger by the tail and see what happens. The worst that can happen is you have to let go.

    Surely the worst that could happen would be being killed, eaten, or permanently disfigured by a tiger, with a non-zero chance of releasing a tiger into the general population so it could kill, eat, or permanently disfigure a preschool full of unusually adorable toddlers. I concede that that would also involve letting go of the tail, but think you may be burying the lede a bit.

    Reply
  5. Patsy Bell Hobson says

    April 23, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    now now mr. I think this Tiger By The Tail is whimsical and in just the right place. If any preschools tour the garden, I imagine they will be delighted. And safe.

    Reply
  6. Jeff White says

    April 23, 2012 at 1:02 pm

    Love the Tiger Tails, and the Fraggle Rock song. One thing I want for my garden is some sculptural interest, and I have not found what I'm looking for yet. Your choice seems great.

    Reply
  7. Zoo Horticulture says

    April 23, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    I have some Girly Steel artwork in my garden as well and love it!

    BTW – thanks for getting the Fraggle Rock theme song stuck in my head…

    Reply
  8. Cathy and Steve says

    April 23, 2012 at 5:50 pm

    What a creative way to add color! I love the whimsy!

    Reply
  9. Earth Girl says

    April 23, 2012 at 6:03 pm

    I love the Girly Steel tiger tails. I pinned several of her sculptures recently and can't wait until our new home is built so I can purchase them.

    Reply
  10. Dee/reddirtramblings says

    April 23, 2012 at 6:05 pm

    Love your sculpture, and this post was so true and fun. Yes, conquer your fears one by one.~~Dee

    Reply
  11. Indie says

    April 23, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    Having actually had a nightmare last night in which I was being chased and about to be eaten by a large jungle cat, I must say that my first thought was also along the lines of Mr. Subjunctive. (I think I've been reading too many wildlife blogs of late..)

    However, I do absolutely love the tiger tails in the garden, as well as the sentiment!

    Reply
  12. Gail says

    April 23, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    I like them a lot Carol and having a garden with long stretches of time between blooms I think sculptural elements are the ticket! gail

    Reply
  13. Robert says

    April 24, 2012 at 10:22 am

    Thank you. I love tending to my garden, and your blog just makes me love it more.

    Reply

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