I met a gardener once who disliked gnome ornaments. So I was baffled when I toured her garden and spied a gnome peeking out from a thick shrub.

When I enquired, she pulled the branches back and revealed three more. It seemed she had a much-loved but strong-minded relative who felt gnomes made marvelous Christmas gifts.

In giving ornaments it's absolutely vital to know your gardener's taste. But when you get it right, it's a joy to everyone.

Many gardeners walk through memories in their gardens as they tell a visitor who gave them this or that ornament or plant. Some people will be no longer with them, but the gift will always remind them.

Often natural stone, concrete or woodsy colours which blend into existing paths, rocks and trees are a good fit for many gardens. For instance someone with a large pond might like a concrete heron, a duck, a frog or even an alligator.

All concrete animals can become very beautiful when covered with moss.

Some artisans make wonderful rustic birdhouses which are popular gifts sold at farmer's markets or gift fairs. Gardeners with carpentry skills may create them for themselves.

A plethora of statues, gazing globes and wind spinners need much more careful placement.

Some birdhouses are made for looks rather than function. If it is to be used by birds a birdhouse should have a cleanout door. The size of entrance holes depends on the varieties you're trying to attract.

Wasps may get there first, which isn't necessarily a disaster. If the wasp home is high up a tree no harm is done. The wasps are safely out of the way and the gar-den has gained some very efficient predators.

Gargoyles can amuse some gardeners who often end up giving them names. I recall one gardener who put a hat and scarf on her grumpy gargoyle every Christmas.

A gardener who collects wind chimes will likely be thrilled with another one. Rusty metal artifacts are trendy to some gardeners - though others might say they need cleaning and a good coat of paint.

An Easy Kneeler is a magnificent gift for an elderly gardener. This can be used as a seat or up-ended to become a raised kneeling pad.

Relatively inexpensive items for a gardener's Christmas stocking can include reusable Velcro ties, a small LED flashlight for night-time slug patrols, a waxy non-fading china marker for labels outside and small, sharp scissors or pruners for dead-heading.

? Anne Marrison is happy to answer garden questions via amarrison@shaw.ca