Have you ever seen a garden gnome not look like one of the seven dwarfs? If you were a garden gnome, what would you be? The garden gnome was born to take over the world. Below is a brief history of the Garden gnome….Lawnbeauty style!!

Garden gnomes are most definitely a German invention. Their given German name is Gartenzwerg (try saying that 10 times in a row) meaning “Garden Dwarf.” The garden gnome's world domination began in a small town name Graefenroda sometime in the 1750’s. The original gnomes were Philipp Griebel and August Heissner who created clay figurines that portrayed animals from folk lore. These animals were to remind people of mythology and these so called animals soon became the structure for the garden gnome. Garden statues were around long before garden gnomes were because people used statues for good luck as well as to ward off any impeding danger to their crops. Simply, people would use anything to bring their crops good luck and garden gnomes fit the description of “good luck to my garden” statue. However, the world of the garden gnome would soon die out. Follow the story…..

When garden gnomes were created, attached with them were their blue collar work ethic, appearance of a workman and the folk lore of being night time helpers made these creatures grow in popularity. The garden gnome became an international sensation in or around 1847 when Sir Charles Isham brought 21 figurines back from Germany and placed them at one of his homes in Lamport Hall in Northamptonshire England. Though Sir Isham thought the garden gnome to be the best thing from Germany since sauerkraut many social aristocrats from England did not think so. Because garden gnomes portray the blue collar, hard working person these little innocent figurines have been fenced out of many of the garden shows in England. Couple this with a major distraction in the 1940’s with a crazed man named Hitler the garden gnome was quickly endangered. Production of the garden gnome faded like a snow flake on the equator in the middle of summer. The garden gnome was on the cusp of going extinct. But soon, hope reformed and garden gnomes were beginning to pop their little heads up all over the place again.

After the war, the garden gnome took their rightful place as kings and masters of the lawn and garden decoration world. Since the 1950’s the garden gnome has become the most popular lawn and garden decoration and can be found in more than 50 countries world wide. With their red hats, white beards, smoking pipes and blue collar personalities, not only are they adorable but they make great companions (just don’t tell anyone you secretly go out at night to help your garden gnome work in the garden). Today you can find a gnome to fit your taste no matter if your are sports fan, cancer survivor, workaholic or a holic of work…garden gnomes are here to stay. The most important thing your lawn and garden can have is a garden gnome.

Arguably the most popular garden gnome is the traveling gnome or “Roaming Gnome.” As a prank, people would steal a garden gnome from its home and send it packing. They would ship gnomes all over the world. This prank became known as the “traveling gnome prank” and today there are many gnomes who are lost and orphaned away from their original homes. Though word is they enjoy their stay no matter where they are. Every gnome will come out at night and clean, pull weeds, and make any place better than it was. Those gnomes that were robbed and sent away have now created a gnome home for themselves where ever they end up. Gnomes are truly that versatile.

If you do not have at least one, you need to buy one for yourself and then buy one for each of your family and friends. They are now more than just a garden decoration they are a conversation piece and can go anywhere in your home, office, apartment and of course in your garden. Make your home a gnome home today.