Do you have an old cement bird bath? I really prefer the cement ones because they last forever! Well, maybe not forever, but many many years. But eventually they might crack and no longer hold water, so what good are they then? You can recycle a cracked birdbath into something really cool.
You may have seen pictures of planted bird baths but a water tight bird bath doesn’t work very well for a planter for that very reason! Your plants will drown because there is not a drain for excess water. But a cracked bird bath is the perfect unique planter.
This shallow birdbath doesn’t hold much soil, so I chose to plant succulents in it. If you have a deeper bowl on your birdbath, you would have many more options. Since I live in south, I needed plants that could stand our HOT summers and still be smiling!
The antique enamel pitcher that I used in the birdbath is one Mr. Menace and I found when we took a trip down memory lane at his Grandparents homeplace and found the foundation for my HERB BED. The pitcher is missing its handle, but it is a precious artifact and I enjoy being able to still use it, albeit, in a new way!
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When I added the potting soil to the birdbath bowl, I hollowed out a hole in the potting soil for the pitcher to sit in and packed the soil around it. I thought I might have to use some rocks or something to hold it up, but that proved unnecessary. I also filled the pitcher with potting soil.
Fill the bowl with a mixture of succulents, being sure to include a healthy dose of trailing varieties.
One year I was incredibly lazy and just filled the whole bowl with the trailing sedum. It was GORGEOUS!! If you are interested in this “no kill” sedum, you can read more about it in 3 Easy Care plants.
Both of these options are easy care. Succulents can stand the heat and don’t need much water. Plant it and forget it, that’s what I like!
This bowl of sedum is in my Ginger Rock Garden. (aka Purple garden) I also fill my antique wheel barrow with the same sedum. That’s another recycled planter.
Do you have unique planters? If you enjoyed this, you might like to see more of my Garden Art.
So cute! My bird bath isn’t cracked yet, but it’s starting to get pretty worn and since the raccoons knock it over fairly regularly, it’s only a matter of time before it cracks. Now I know what I’m doing with it when that happens! Not sure what I’d do with it in the winter, though, as it’s probably too cold here for the succulents to overwinter that way. I’ll have to think about it.
I need to buy me a new one that ISN”T cracked! I’ve had mine so long and its time for a new one that will actually hold water for the birdies…
My in-laws have an old bird bath and I had no idea what to do with it, now I know exactly what I am going to do. Found you on Bloggers Pit Stop Link Party
Oh yay! What a cool find. I wish I had more of them. 🙂
I love upcycled and recycled garden items! These are so pretty. We haven’t had a bird bath in our garden up here, but now I’m inspired to use my cracked cement fountain basin and do the same kind of thing. Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh yes! A fountain would be wonderful!!! I’d love to see a picture when you get it done Sarita. 🙂
Love this idea and really like the pitcher too!
Thanks Dee! 🙂
Very nice creative ideas, I really like the succulents, they are graceful and beautiful.
Kathleen
Blogger’s Pit Stop
Thanks Kathleen. I really enjoy them.
Nikki, I LOVE this idea!!! The sedum cascading down like a waterfall is STUNNING! Pinned both, of course. <3 I love the pearls flowing out of the old pitcher… Perfection! As we were in the middle of moving things out of the trailer, I was in downtown Sanger and the area is going through a street widening ~ which means several houses are moving (eminent domain) and an old birdbath was there on a trash heap! I whirled my car around and quickly hopped out to grab the base (OMGosh it was sooo heavy!). The base broke in two pieces so now I have "yard art" outfront of the house. Was too late to grab the bath part… 🙁 However, my current birdbath is now two years old and showing wear ~ whoopie! It'll be a planter in just a few years.
Happy spring and happy planting,
Barb 🙂
I’ve been to Sanger. I used to live in Denton. So glad you at least got the base…. I saw a garden on tv once that was a “ruins” garden and I fell in love with it. 🙂
Nikki I think this really adds so much charm to your garden. I also like the way you’ve tilted the pitcher in there.
Thank you Mark. I like to plant string of pearls inside the pitcher and have them pouring out. 🙂