Garden gnomes at risk of dying out as Brits label the once-favourite outdoor ornament ‘tacky’
Oh gnomes!
The once popular garden gnome is at risk of dying out as Brits ditch the ‘tacky' ornament for more 'sophisticated' garden decorations.
While the cheeky chappy was once a regular guest in many a garden during the 1970s, sales of the little guy have halved since 2005 and there are thought to be just five million left in gardens around the UK.
In a new poll by Asda, gnomes were voted the least favourite garden decoration in a survey of 2,000 Brits.
The rosy-cheeked chap came in joint last place for favourite outdoor items, along with plastic garden furniture, and was described by some rather vocal respondents as 'tacky' - a view echoed by Chelsea Flower Show bosses who banned gnomes from displays.
A whopping 94% of respondents declared they would NEVER have a gnome in their garden, with one guy (who really must learn to form an opinion...) saying: "I find gnomes creepy - they look like they are in league with the devil somehow.
"They are not cute little things at all, they send shivers up my spine whenever I see them."
Friends of the devil aside, windmills and coloured paving slabs were also voted as garden no-nos, with veggie patches and hanging baskets declared the 'top garden trends'.
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The least popular flowers were woodland orchids, bleeding hearts and hyacinths and the most popular flowers were roses with lavender in second place and tulips in third.
Tamara was Ideal Home's Digital Editor before joining the Woman & Home team in 2022. She has spent the last 15 years working with the style teams at Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, both now at Future PLC. It’s with these award wining interiors teams that she's honed her skills and passion for shopping, styling and writing. Tamara is always ahead of the curve when it comes to interiors trends – and is great at seeking out designer dupes on the high street.
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