my garden and to make sure of this, I have a group of bottle trees and Rosenkugels (rose balls) nearby. Glass bottle trees originated in ninth century Congo during a period when superstitious Central African people believed evil spirits could be captured in a bottle. According to legend, empty glass bottles placed outside but near the home could capture roaming spirits at night, and the spirits would be destroyed the next day in the sunshine. In Germany in the 1700s, colorful glazed spheres called Rosenkugels served the same purpose. The practice of hanging bottles in trees was taken to Europe and North America by African slaves, and while Europeans adapted the bottle-tree idea into hollow glass spheres, known as “witch balls,� the practice of hanging bottles in trees became widespread in Southern regions of the United States. Today, bottle trees are considered folk art and enjoyed for their beauty. Carol Moseley learned the love of gardening from her mother and father. Both were avid gardeners, his focus was vegetables and hers were flowers and shrubs. Carol has been gardening since 1969, and in 1999 completed the Master Gardening Training Course through the N.C. Cooperative Service. She said she was very fortunate to learn how to grow and use herbs from her dear friend, the late Diane Morris, the Herb Lady.
Top: Colorful glazed spheres called Rosenkugels. Above, middle: Bird Girl. At left: Rustic glass bumble bee. Opposite page: The sound of running water via the statue/bird bath is soothing and helps block out street noise .