Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais
Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais
Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais
Colorful birdhouses are striking focal points in addition to homes for the local birds in this mixed border at the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
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Comments
Nice!
....THREE thumbs up! Great!
Yes it adds a "pop" of color. Too gaudy for my tastes. Too much of a naturalist, I suppose. Guess positive comments are preferred and maybe even required, but this project does not impress this gardener. Sorry. Too each his/her own.
Yes, color combinations can be subjective. But the idea is great.
Well, I for one, love these colors. They stand out but aren't gaudy or childlike and I think the post add a soft, more formal edge than what I normally see in birdhouses.
These are wonderful! The colors are lovely and complement the foliage beautifully. Just splendid!
I'm pretty sure that the artists who made these were Anne Rugg and Doug Ostrander. Doug is/was a fine jeweler who switched over to making these.
http://www.bissonbarcelona.com/PDFs/FortheBirds%20Jan07.pdf
I love the look of these birdhouses--wonder about the paint, though. Sooner or later our birdhouses always seem to get gnawed about the entrance. I'm thinking that area would be best left unpainted.
What is that tall bush behind the birdhouse in the topmost picture? Does anyone know?
I really like bright colorful accents and these compliment the flowers just beautifully.
The colors stand out. The bush is salmon berry? What type of birds nest in them?
delighted to see The Ripley Garden make it into Fine Gardening! I have had the pleasure of playing in this garden for over a decade.
Kari Lonning is correct, the birdhouses are the beautiful work of Ann and Doug at The Garden Path. I put them up about 4 or 5 years ago to add some vertical accents and to tie the garden into the adjacent Arts and Industries Museum which is highly ornate. So far I have never seen tenants.
The 'shrub' to the right of the orange birdhouse is a Hibiscus...grew from seed incorrectly labeled as mutabilis. It self sowns vigorously.
The Salmonberry-Family:Rosacea; Genus: Rubus. If your shrub blooms pink is is spectabilis. I know this to be a shrub growing in the Pacific NW in moist areas. Since I do not know your specific location I cannot tell you what species of birds may be attracted. I am an avid bird watcher and have traveled most of the country (mostly the Western States and Canada) viewing these wonderful flying marvels. I do know for most birds the seeds are the attraction and I am sure you know the berries are yummy. Also, some species of birds attracted can be quite raucous and for some people an annoyance.
I know I commented previously on your birdhouses. If I came off as being rude it sure was not meant that way. We are all different and this is what makes the world interesting.
The best to you
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