Fresh Idea

Transform an old birdbath into a cute container garden using miniature plants and decorations.

- ALISON AUTH

If you have an old birdbath that's had its day, give it new life as a planter for a miniature fairy garden. For this project we've listed our favorite plants, as well as landscaping tips.

Plants to Consider for Your Birdbath Planter

SUCCULENTS: For accent plants, use succulents, such as stonecrop sedum, limelight sedum and blue spruce sedum.

GROUND COVER: Create a mat of green or color, or a "waterfall” from the birdbath, with ground cover plants. Try golden club moss, Scotch moss or pink cranesbill. Or try miniature plants, such as weigela or forsythia, which still have a big impact.

CONIFERS: Provide woodland shade and a layer of forest magic with Jervis dwarf Canadian hemlock, Mont Bruno boxwood or lime glow juniper. These are ideal dwarf conifers for small spaces.

Materials to Assemble for the Project

An old birdbath or another type of container

Bagged potting mix

Planting material

Small stones, gravel or pine bark nuggets