Editors note: this article ran originally in April 2017. We loved it so much we wanted to share with our new readers and with those who might not have made a planter the first time the article published. Happy spring!
Sprin
g is finally here! After those dreary winter days, I always love seeing all the flowers, bugs and birds! It’s that time of the year to get out the bird feeders and clean up the bird baths.
A really great idea I’ve seen a lot of lately is to plant succulents or flowers in bird baths. These are so easy to make and are a pretty alternative to traditional container planters! You can personalize them miniature bird houses, statues and rocks. I recently visited Chip and Joanna Gaines Magnolia Market in Waco, Texas and they were getting several of these ready in their summer gardens. They had tons of miniatures for sale in the shop that would be fabulous in any bird bath planter! Many of the items reminded me of miniatures you would add to terrariums that were so popular in the 70s.
These are really, really easy to create. Here’s what you need and a few tips:
Materials:
- a variety of succulent plants or other container plants
- bird bath – if you only have the basin, you can sit it on the ground in your flower bed or yard
- good well-draining potting soil (or Cactus Palm & Citrus Soil if you wish)
- rocks
- optional decorative items of your choice, bird house, mini figurines, etc.
Directions:
- You might want to consider adding drainage holes if your planter isn’t in a covered location, or adding additional rocks at the bottom for drainage so that the rain doesn’t cause the succulents to get waterlogged. This is a perfect project for a bird bath that is broken or cracked!
- Fill bird bath ½ way with a good, quality potting soil or Cactus Palm & Citrus Soil – adding rocks first if you need some drainage.
- Arrange your plants, leaving space for growth. I planted hen and chicks and by the end of the summer, they were overflowing! Plant a taller plant in the middle for some height, trailing plants on the edges so they can spill over – or add a small bird house as the center piece. Plant as you would for a container.
- Add more soil around plants almost up to lip, pat in place.
- You can cover the top with rocks or add just a little, or even add miniature figurines such as garden gnomes or a gazing ball. Stacking other containers in the bird bath looks great too!
You can make them as elaborate or as simple as you want. The possibilities are endless!
These are so simple. If you don’t have a bird bath, you can get one at your local box store, or if you’re thrifty like me you can check out estate or yard sales. I found two concrete ones for $25! What a bargain!! They were pretty heavy and I got a work out transporting them, but they looked fabulous after I finished. I hope you give it a try. Happy Spring!!
Jennifer
