Bottle TreesDecorative, Colored Bottles
Bottle Trees are made from colored glass bottles. They can be quite decorative in the yard or garden. They are associated with an ancient tradition of keeping away evil spirits. The most common bottle tree is made from decorative blue colored glass, but green, amber, red, or even clear bottles are typically used. These decorative bottles, or colored bottles of all sizes are a welcome addition to the tree. This "TREE" can add some beauty to your garden. It will be a "One of a kind",that is uniquely yours. You can use bottles with special signifigance, or just use ones that appeal to you. This tree will "Bloom" with beauty year round. There is nothing to maintaine, and the tree can "grow" with bottles, at your leisure.
A Bit of Bottle Tree HistoryTypically, the Trees reflect an ancient African tradition that goes back to the nineth century Congo. To ward off evil spirits, natives would hang hand blown glass on huts and trees.It has been a southern tradition, followed by southern African-Americans. Typically using Cedar trees, they would decorate the branches with colorful glass bottles, after stripping off the leaves. Some people call them (African Bottle Trees). A Few Legends:One belief is that: The Bottles hold the spirits of ancestorsSome believe that: The Bottle Tree can grant wishes The most common belief is that : The colorful bottles attract evil spirits, and once inside they are "trapped" The sound of the wind blowing through the bottles, is thought to be that of the moaning spirits Garden Art
photo by:bptakoma
The popularity of these decorative Trees are on the rise, and thought to be "the latest thing" in garden art. They have been featured as accessories in many prestigious flower garden shows around the world.
What a creative way to add some decorative garden art to your garden! You can build your own, or simply order one ready made, like these Flower Style Bottle trees. They are ready made, waiting to be (planted) in your garden. They are made out of smooth round rods. Shipped completely assembled, you simply stick in the ground, and bend the rods where you want them, then add your Bottles.
Many people can remember seeing these trees in the yards of neighbors, (especially in Southern states) but not knowing anything about them. Was the neighbor trying to decorate the yard, recycle their bottles, or ward off evil spirits?
Take a look at this wonderful Childrens Book "The Glass Bottle Tree" Childrens book by Evelyn Coleman, and illistrated by Gail Gorden Carter. It is a lovely book with a wonderful story about the bottle tree.
In a rickety old house, with a makeshift pickety fence, down a long dusty road, a little girl lived with her grandmother. And in the middle of their yard was a tree in which the family's spirits lived, captured in bottles placed on the tree's limbs. The grandmother and granddaughter lived peacefully together and understood each other so lovingly and completely that they didn't need words. During the day they tended their garden. Afternoons, they swam in the river, and after supper they sat before the fire and knitted winter blankets. One day, two social workers came to the house and threatened to take the granddaughter away. But the old woman releases the spirits from their bottles and saves her family. Gail Carter's paintings eloquently capture the joy and sadness in this tender story of strength, faith, and commitment.
How Beautiful is YOUR Bottle Tree?Do you have a great Bottle Tree? Show it off!Share it with us, we'd love to see it! What Other Visitors Have SaidClick below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Piece of Mine Bottle Trees
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