We're flush with pride after seeing your toilets

For a minute there, we thought we were starting a trend with our "Porcelain Planters" story of Feb. 15.

As you might recall, "Ask the Expert" Darrell Hay and "Garden Designer" Phil Wood stuffed imported Canadian toilets with flowers, plants and vegetables and sited them all around town in an effort to integrate mobile, recyclable (and possibly repugnant) landscaping into diverse surroundings.

But then we asked you to send us images of your toilet gardens, and we realized you are way ahead of us in the toilet-trend department, on many levels (some of them frightening). Among the entries were a purple toilet, an undersea toilet, a tiki toilet and one toilet-gardening "invention" we have deemed too distasteful to discuss.

Alas, we had only three Canadian toilets to bestow upon our winning entries — and here they are, with judges' comments from Darrell and Phil.

The Purple Surprise
Submitted by Dick and Linda Hummel of Sumner.

History: "In November of 2003, we asked our daughter and her husband to watch our house while we went out of town," the Hummels wrote. "What do we find on our return? Perched in our side garden is a toilet painted purple. Kerri and Adam had recently replaced the toilet in their bathroom and decided our garden would be a good place for the old one. As soon as the weather warmed up, I planted petunias, verbena, lobelia and some ornamental grass in it. We think our 'purple surprise' makes a great planter — not to mention quite a conversation piece!"

Darrell Hay's comments: I call this the toilet formerly known as Barney. Nice use of color. Close rendition of our toilets. Purple paper (on which the entry was typed) is a nice touch.

Phil Wood's comments: Strongly planted with a rich array of plants. The purple color elevates it beyond pure porcelain.

The Roving Birthday Toilet
Submitted by Arnie Mondloch of Issaquah.

History: This toilet has a way of showing up around Mondloch's neighborhood, dressed to suit the birthday boy (or girl). It first appeared last July, disguised as Tigger, then reappeared as Minnie Mouse, a "Pasta Pot," a Boeing jet and, in our judges' favorite incarnation, as the "Mole Toilet." Mondloch wrote: "On the morning of my birthday, I went out to my driveway to retrieve the morning paper and check on the overnight damage caused by some nasty moles that had invaded my lawn. Instead, I was greeted by the toilet, now painted green and covered with grass. Sitting in the bowl on top of a mound of dirt was a stuffed mole, holding a balloon wishing me a happy birthday."

Darrell's comments: I love it! Creative and recyclable.

Phil's comments: Innovative serial planting in the spirit of seasonal change.

Park It Here
Submitted by Kathleen Blanchard and the Seattle Parks Department's East Central District maintenance crew.

History: The East Central District maintenance crew takes care of about 75 parks and greenbelts from the Montlake Cut south to the I-90 bridge, along Lake Washington west to Capitol Hill. "Needless to say, we pick up a lot of litter and find many strange items in our parks," Blanchard wrote. "This toilet planter at the East Central Crew Quarters was found and planted about four years ago. This season it is planted with vinca minor, carex, Dutch Master daffodils and plastic plants and enhanced with various objects found in the parks. We don't have much time to take care of it, and it does well despite the neglect."

Darrell's comments: Shoes are a nice touch. This was done after hours, I presume? Lilies are beautiful! Nicely integrated, softening the side of the building.

Phil's comments: Really enters into the spirit of toilet planters. Lushly planted and well-maintained.