Yes, it's true: Gnomes have been banned from the Chelsea Flower Show in Great Britain, along with children under the age of 5, by those arbiters of taste, The Royal Horticulture Society.

As of 2006 the use of "brightly colored creatures" including lawn gnomes, have been forbidden in this prestigious show.

Stateside -- where we embrace the tacky -- gnomes have popped up everywhere from TV to the dollar store. Who doesn't know the Travelocity Gnome? If his pointy head isn't to your tastes (a replica is for sale at CBSstore.com for $69.95), Web sites such as www.gnomeoutlet.com or www.gnomegardens.net can address the need to gnome.

There are even NFL gnomes at www.gnomefrenzy.com (unfortunately, Steeler gnomes are currently sold out). If none of the above please you, there are Hula-dancing gnomes, snorkling gnomes, golfing gnomes (his name, of course, is Mulligan), and gnomes representing every profession imaginable.

And finally, for the gnome connoisseur, there are Kimmel gnomes (www.kimmelgnomes.com).

These guys are handmade in Sturgis, S.D., by Candice Kimmel, a Welsh native, who started her little operation in 2002 after being unable to find an authentic clay gnome for her garden.

"Most gardens in England and Wales have gnomes," she says. "Many people still hold onto the gnome from their childhood and pass them down. In the late '70s the gnome took a turn for the worse with the spread of the garishly colored plastic/resin gnomes. It never really recovered from that."

Gone were the traditional clay gnomes, thought of as good luck charms for home and garden.

Not to be denied, Ms. Kimmel started making her own and offering them for sale on the Internet. Many of those she sells are original designs, but others are reproductions of vintage British and German gnomes that she has collected. She has about 100 antique gnomes; some are for sale on her Web site.

According to Ms. Kimmel, the first clay German garden gnome (der Gartenzwerg) was made in Graeferoda, Thuringia, Germany, in the 1800s. The first recorded appearance of a garden gnome in England was around 1840, at the estate of Sir Charles Isham.

In the 1800s, Germans August Heissner and Phillip Griebel began to produce gnomes in quantity. Heissner gnomes are the most well-known, and Ms. Kimmel has done reproductions of a few of them, including "Herbert" and "HodgePodge."

Currently, Sedgewick, a 9-inch reproduction of a 1890 gnome ($39.95), is the most popular of her collection. She considers him the epitome of a classic garden gnome. However, Burt, a 10-inch copy of a vintage German gnome ($64.95), is her favorite. Ms. Kimmel sells painted and unpainted gnomes, as well as female gnomes. She has a selection of sizes from small to extra-large. Little George,at 31/2 inches tall, is her least expensive gnome at $15. At 20 inches tall, Stanley is her most expensive, at $299.95. Prices do not include shipping.

Because they are handmade, it can take several weeks to receive a gnome. They are warranted for one year against defects.

They are meant to live in the garden year-round, in all weather, including snow, and it's hoped that they will be cherished and handed down in a family.

"[Gnomes] are a positive force," says Ms. Kimmel. "You can't help but smile when you come across one hanging out in somebody's garden."

Garden editor Susan Banks can be reached at sbanks@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1516

By Susan Banks

Yes, it's true, gnomes have been banned from the Chelsea Flower Show in Great Britain, along with children under the age of 5, by those arbitors of taste, The Royal Horticulture Society. As of 2006 the use of "brightly colored creatures" including lawn gnomes, were forbidden in this prestigious show.

Stateside, where we embrace the tacky, gnomes have popped up everywhere from the TV to the dollar store. Who doesn't know the Travelocity Gnome? If his pointy head isn't to your tastes (a replica is for sale at CBSstore.com for $69.95), web sites like www.gnomeoutlet.com or www.gnomegardens.net can address the need to gnome. There are even NFL gnomes at www.gnomefrenzy.com (unfortunately, Steeler gnomes are currently sold out). If none of the above please you, there are Hula-dancing gnomes, snorkling gnomes, golfing gnomes (his name, of course, is Mulligan), and gnomes of every profession imaginable.

And finally, for the gnome connoisseur, there are Kimmel gnomes (www.kimmelgnomes.com).

These guys are hand-made in Sturgis, South Dakota by Candice Kimmel, a Welsh native, who started her little operation in 2002 after searching for, and not finding, an authentic clay gnome for her own garden.

"Most gardens in England and Wales have gnomes," she says. "Many people still hold onto the gnome from their childhood and pass them down. In the late '70's the gnome took a turn for the worse with the spread of the garishly colored plastic/resin gnomes. It never really recovered from that."

Gone were the traditional clay gnomes, thought of as good luck charms for home and garden.

Not to be denied, Ms. Kimmel started making her own and offering them for sale on the internet. Many of those she sells are original designs, but others are reproductions of vintage British and German gnomes she has collected. She currently has about 100 antique gnomes, some are for sale at her website.

According to Ms. Kimmel, the first clay German garden gnome (der Gartenzwerg) was made in Graeferoda, Thuringia, Germany in the 1800's. The first recorded appearance of a garden gnome in England was around 1840 at the estate of Sir Charles Isham.

In the 1800's, Germans August Heissner and Phillip Griebel, began to produce gnomes in quantity. Heissner gnomes are the most well-known, and Ms. Kimmel has done reproductions of a few of them, including "Herbert" and "HodgePodge."

Currently, "Sedgewick," a 9-inch reproduction of a 1890 gnome ($39.95), is the most popular of her collection. She considers him the epitomy of a classic garden gnome. However, "Burt," a 10-inch copy of a vintage German gnome ($64.95), is her favorite. Ms. Kimmel sells painted and un-painted gnomes, as well as female gnomes. She has a selection of sizes from small to extra-large. "Little George" who 3-1/2 inches tall is her cheapest gnome, he sells for $15. At 20-inches in height, "Stanley" is her most expensive, he goes for $299.95. Prices do not include shipping.

Because they are hand-made, it can take several weeks to receive a gnome, and then they are warranted for 1 year against defects. They are are meant to live in the garden year-round, in all weather, including snow, and hopefully they will be cherished and handed down in a family.

"(Gnomes) are a positive force," says Ms. Kimmel. "You can't help but smile when you come across one hanging out in somebody's garden."

'Winklewisp' and 'Sedgewick' have made the perilous trip to the author's garden where they are awaiting placement. The gnomes which have an antique glaze finish, have been fired both inside and out. They are weather proof and color proof. The painted ones arrive with a matte finish. Ms. Kimmel suggests pushing a dowl rod into the soil and then placing the gnome on the rod (they are hollow), to stablize it when you place it in the garden.