When Mary Palmer from near Monroe, Washington, sent in this photo a couple of days ago, I had an inkling of what these gardening ornaments were, and I begged her to tell me I was right. Mary says, “They are indeed toilet tank floats. I had purchased two for a project that I never finished so they remained stuffed in a paper sack for several years. When I got the idea to use them as odd flowers on the lovely dead grass (Anemanthele lessoniana, USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11), two were not enough. I finally located a few more and found they had nearly doubled in price! The dead grasses have now been replaced with live ones and their funky flowers now adorn a potted palm in the summer. Alas, the brilliant copper color has tarnished so now they are tastefully understated. Also in the photo are Mahonia x media ‘Arthur Menzies’ (Zones 8-9), Bergenia ‘Bressingham Ruby’ (Zones 4-8), and Carex tenuiculmis ‘Cappuccino’ (Zones 7-9).” Thanks, Mary, for sharing!

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