As March builds up to an Easter finale I’m thinking about whimsy, the Easter bunny, and new spring bulbs. Perhaps it is because I’m always of a certain mindset that wit and whimsy should be a part of everyday, every garden, every home. In fact, this first garden is located at a seaside Newport home appropriately named, “The Whim” (it is their stone toadstools and moss-covered table that are our feature image above).

Continuing the fairy-like garden, a stone bench hides among the azaleas and hostas.

“When pigs fly”… why not?!

Enveloped in baby pink wisteria, the eagle’s verdigris patina is a striking contrast.

Playful stone bears, in different states of repose, add a whimsical note to an aged, multi-trunked cherry tree.

Rabbits (copied from those at Chateau-sur-Mer, here in Newport) act as sentries at the entrance to the recessed garden at The Whim. Aren’t you just longing to open the old wire gate and run across the lawn to the water’s edge?

Persian accents, inspired by the Generalife garden in Granada, Spain set off the first pool at Bellevue House (don’t miss the “goldfish” in the lotus fountain).

Under a vast spreading fern leaf beech, an altar composed of a lantern atop a stone pedestal resting on bleached river rocks awaits visitors walking along the moss path.

From years ago…a dear friend’s playhouse, designed for her grandchildren, but which she used more often than they did.

Few visitors to the gardens at Parterre can answer my question — what is this shape meant to be? No, not a ginger jar. Here’s a hint…this is a French garden…it’s a brioche!

In a French garden doesn’t one need some grenouilles? “Up close and personal…”

Now at Parterre, the perky fellows are topping the gate posts, appropriately facing the Fountain Garden pond.

‘Autumn clematis’ will envelope anything in its path (like the rose containers and holly hedging along the pergola at Parterre where it is planted). The solution…turn that reality into a pretend bride’s train, complete with floral head piece, for a garden party. Coincidentally, ‘Autumn clematis’ is also known as bridal veil.

And closing with a bit of Barbie (long before the movie came out) for the garden…pink just whispers whimsy!

I hope these images inspired you to add a note of wit and a touch of whimsy to your garden — or to continue down this path.