Form and Function

Garden collectibles bring a touch of useful whimsy to the great outdoors.

- By Joe Kenz and Sandy Garrison

1 Watering Cans

Galvanized watering cans come in several sizes. In general, those with roses—the screw-on sprinkling heads, also called rosettes—are more desirable. While the circa-1950 can pictured was most likely American made, its style is considered English, with a handle on top for carrying and another on the back for pouring. French and other European watering cans are also popular with collectors.

Worth: $20 to $250; bargains can often be found out of season

2 Folk Art Yard Decorations

Folk art wooden tulips are plentiful at flea markets and antique stores, especially in the spring and summer. Found in a variety of styles, some with leaves, some with flexible stems that allow them to sway in the breeze, their prevalence suggests that patterns for them were available in popular craft or woodworking publications. These circa-1960 tulips may have originally been intended to be used for garden edging.