Meeting Di-Ellen

Di-Ellen is a fabulously creative artist who likes to garden Flea Market style. When you see her photos you will get a peek into her unique, talented mind.  She has what I need …the ability to put things together in a unique way.  How does she do it?  Just read and you will love Di-Ellen and her work as well.

“My sweet girlies lounging on grammy chairs in the garden….”

Di-Ellen 

Di-Ellen tells us, “I am so lucky to live out in the country, in beautiful southern New England. I look forward to each new season and the lovely changes each one brings to my garden. After a long cold New England winter, I so welcome the fresh bulbs and buds and new grass of spring, not to mention the re-appearance of my sweet chickens pecking at my door for a treat!”

Galvanized containers…Di-Ellen has a talent for putting things together

“Summer is all about potted flowers, lanterns, and creating shady spots to sit and enjoy the garden. Fall is a particularly beautiful time in New England…the amazing foliage really lends itself to some great flea market gardening arrangements!”

Di-Ellen’s play area, “My little work area for potting up and tinkering. The sink looks so pretty filled with water and floating candles at night.”

She says, “I have always, ALWAYS loved old galvanized pieces, and wheel barrows, tools, chicken feeders, machinery…any old farm detritus really. When I was young I knew an elderly couple that had the sweetest, most charming, crooked, old New England farm house, filled to the brim with rag rugs, flocked wall paper, quilt-covered couches, hobnail lamps, painted furniture and just so many other warm and wonderful bits. Everything practical…everything beautiful. And the outside was just as amazing and cheerful…giant rhubarb plants as big as a car, lilacs that were generations old, potted flowers and apple trees, metal troughs and watering cans… I really think that is where it all began for me.

Potting area with ‘friends’ gathering around to help

I remember thinking “This is how I am going to live!”  Years later, some folks at work were chatting about their gardens…they asked me if I liked to garden…When I confirmed that I did, they asked, “Oh, what kinds of plants do you have?” It was then that I realized it…I have a junk garden! Sure, I have potted flowers, perennials in raised beds, and a few window boxes, but mostly I had junk…beautiful, glorious JUNK!!!”

“Rusty bits and a pile of scrap lumber”

“The round thing in front of the photo above is part of a 1920s ceiling light….It’s the part that attaches to the ceiling. I pulled it out of a junk pile from an old house that was getting the wrecking ball. It’s one of my most favorite pieces. I actually have managed to acquire so many rusty bits that I made a whole garden of them! I hung the ceiling sconce on the fence. ”

Black birdcages in a grouping. “The more, the merrier.”

“Toolboxes, ladders, pails, bird cages, ceiling finials, stove pipes, chimney flues, windows, kettles, mirrors…. my garden will forever be filled with the crackled, the cobbled, the crooked, the chipped…To me, there is nothing more pleasing to the eye than the majesty of Mother Nature in union with the gentle worn patina of vintage bits. Long live Flea Market Gardening!” Di-Ellen says.

“A little grouping at the back of my party garden”

“I heard about Flea Market Gardening from Art Gardenfunckle and his wife Barb. I met them over on flickr, where some serious junk gardeners tend to run in the same circle. I hooked up with several of them over on Facebook and we all are HUGE fans of FMG…there’s nothing like starting your day with a hot cup of brew and some junky eye candy! I also want to tell you how incredibly honored I feel to be asked to contribute to FMG…to be recognized for ones passion is a dream come true!”

Indeed, many of Di-Ellen’s photos like the ones below are included in our Facebook page’s many albums, from Get Galvanized to Are You Chicken?

“Shed in front garden….needs tidying and flowers and whatnot…. Woodland Green from the Home Depot….yes, it’s been loads of fun! I plan to finish it up in spring.”

“Fairy Garden near the drive…”

“Lavender Orpingtons outside my kitchen…”

“Nook between chimney and fence…”

This was a shady little pocket between the house and the stairs that lead up to the deck…full of nothing but rocks and weeds. Vintage shutters attached to the side of the house (I got a seriously quizzical look from the hubby when I asked him to do this) anchors the area. A few random bits of decor, a ‘pallet wall’ and some hosta and we were good to go. I later added a little gate and stapled some landscape screen to keep the dogs out.

Di-Ellen’s fall display,…orange and galvanized just go,…don’t you think?

The Fabulous Party Garden

“My pride and joy is what we fondly refer to as “The Party Garden”. Enclosed by scavenged fencing held in place with cinder blocks, the Party Garden is the setting for many happy times! A humble little plot of earth that was born in a day…filled mainly for practicality as well as beauty. One side houses the fire pit, the other a table for desserts and drinks. Along the back fence is a raised bed for perennials, annuals and flea market goodies, of course!”

“Entrance to the Party Garden… The crow is a decoy from ebay. The raised beds were dashed together quickly by my hubby. Being pine they won’t last forever…I’m toying the idea of replacing them with vintage claw foot bath tubs. In time I need to make a bigger fire pit as well.”

“The entrance to the Party Garden is flanked by a pair of large planter boxes, made from an old futon, filled with flowers, gazing balls, and fairies. Toward the front is a small pet cemetery, filled with angels and lanterns, keeping our beloved ones close. Sitting like a crown jewel at the center is my altar, my own little nod to Mother Nature and all she gives us.”

Di-Ellen’s fairies and orbs decorate the pet memorial garden

Di-Ellen’s excellent Party Garden in all its glory,…loads of atmosphere!

“Like most gardeners, I have big dreams for my little garden. Someday I will replace the planter boxes with vintage soaking tubs. I will reinvent the treats table into an enormous buffet with hanging lanterns and mirrors. I will add pavers and pedestals and a statue draped in flowers and white lights…someday…”

Party Garden dessert and drinks table. “Weathered strapping, net lights, sheers, black wind spinners, chicken wire and dry wall screws.” say Di-Ellen.

“Scenes from The Party Garden….”  Di-Ellen’s pumpkins, lit for a recent party

“I personally think this Flea Market Gardening page is the BEST way to get inspiration and enjoy gorgeous eye candy over coffee. This is so much more interactive than magazines, and you can make friends…Now how can you beat that!?!

PS…Every morning, as I drink my coffee, eat my toast and wait for my hair to dry, I go straight to this page…it sets a positive tone for my whole day!”

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Thanks to Di-Ellen,…we are glad to have her among us and know a bit more about how she became interested in junk gardening and what influences her.  I’m delighted with her pictures always and know others will be, too.  What do you think? ~~ Sue