Can I use a cement birdbath as a planter?

16 years ago

I made one for my mom and used sedums and hen & chicks but she's in So. Cal. If I tried that in my zone, 5/6 SW PA, they would drown or get wash out of the shallow planter when it rains.

Does anyone have pictures if you have done this? I am open to using annuals or perennials. Any suggestions or advise?

Thanks!

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Comments (5)

lindac
16 years ago
Unless you provide drainage, they will drown/rot.
Could you drill a hole in the bird bath?
Linda C
robynpa
Original Author
16 years ago
Ok, I am going to try to drill a hole in the bottom.

Any suggestions for plants that will do ok in shallow soil?
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mxk3 z5b_MI
16 years ago
In shallow pot (birdbath) annuals are your best bet. Stick with annuals that tolerate drier soil. I have a beautiful heavy clay planter that is shallow, and I've found that annual Vinca does the best because it doesn't mind the dryness.

If the planter is plastic it's a bit of a different issue, but natural materials (clay, stone, etc.) absorb moisture from the root zone and dry out quicker. There is a positive, though, that the root zone stays cooler in natural materials whereas root can fry in plastic planters in full sun. It isn't much of an issue in planters of traditional depth but in shallow pottery shallowness needs to be factored in in my experience.

Anyway, I'd suggest an annual that tolerates drier soil - something like Vinca or Portulaca, but there are others.

Oh, and yes - make sure to drill a hole in the bottom.
greenguy1
16 years ago
You could also try a mix of drought-tolerant perennials and groundcovers. A nursery at which I often shop has a beautiful bird-bath planting of various hens and chicks (which which you are already familiar), mixed sedums, Dianthus 'Tiny Rubies', Irish moss, assorted thymes and some creeping Jenny. I liked it so much I did a similar thing on my deck, adding blue-eyed grass into the mix for some height and grassy foliage texture to go with all of the succulent stuff. All of those things should be able to overwinter in your zone, although to be safe you might want to take the bowl off the pedestal and put it on the ground so it can have that for insulation.

Ditto on the hole in the bottom, a must. A shallow layer of gravel at the bottom, too (or a goodly proportion of small gravel mixed into the planting mixture), to allow all excess water to quickly get to the drain hole.

- Steve
robynpa
Original Author
16 years ago
I drilled 2 holes and put some screen and rocks over them. I planted Bacoba, petuinas and coleus. Will see how those take. If they don't look well I will replace with some of your suggestions.

Thanks!

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Can I use a cement birdbath as a planter?

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Can I use a cement birdbath as a planter?

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