9/10

Enliven a tree with the Design Toscano Knothole Welcome Tree Door. A classic garden gnome peeks out from behind a wooden door. Use the keyhole slot in the back to hang it from a tree or anywhere else. It’s nine inches tall and made from durable-crushed stone bonded with resin.

10/10

A great option for a lady gnome is the Gnomes of Toad Hollow Zelda the female garden statue. An old European design includes the all-important pointy red hat. She stands a respectable 20 inches tall, and at four pounds is sure to stay put. Her special UV coating lets her easily handle intense sun.

What to Consider When Adding a Garden Gnome to Your Yard

Where you place your garden gnome is entirely up to you! But there are things you can do to help your new little buddy look their best. “You may want to place a patio block under your gnome so it stays cleaner and doesn’t ruin the color of the feet,” suggests Steinkopf. “Depending on the material, you may want to spray a clear sealant on it to keep it from fading or the paint chipping.”

Why You Should Trust Us

I’ve written for home and garden publications for over 15 years, including Family Handyman and Good Housekeeping. I specialize in DIY home improvement, repair, safety and home trends.

I also contacted Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, blogger at The Houseplant Guru. Lisa is an avid outdoor gardener and has a column in Michigan Gardener magazine. Steinkopf is an expert on houseplants and how to care for them, after a decade-plus as the annuals and houseplants manager at Steinkopf Nursery and Garden Center. She’s also a member of numerous plant groups, including the Michigan Cactus and Succulent Society, the Town and Country African Violet Society, the Southeast Michigan Bromeliad Society and the Southeast Michigan Hardy Plant Society.

How We Found the Best Garden Gnomes

To find the best garden gnomes, we turned to the retailers and brands we’ve long trusted for their quality, reliability and customer experience. We then sifted through all their offerings to find the best looking of the bunch, before researching the materials they’re made of and their overall durability. We also looked through the reviews of real customers to find out how the garden gnomes stood up to the elements over time.