My succulent bird bath.

I have a bird bath that I love. It’s really pretty and it has sentimental meaning to me.  The problem is, in the three years that I’ve had it, I have not seen a single bird have a bath in it.  Not one!  It seemed like such a waste.

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I decided to make a succulent garden out of it.  First, I added a thick layer of stones.  The bird bath had no drainage and I was hoping that the stones would be enough to keep the water from the roots of the succulents.

Then I just added some potting soil and mounded it a bit.

Then I started planting.

Here’s what I love about this succulent garden.  The succulents are all perennial.  All of them, except one came from somewhere in my yard.

Those hens and chicks that look ‘spider webby’ are the only ones I bought.   Everything else, I’ve had for years.  And they’ve survived many harsh winters.

I must have hundreds of the traditional hens and chicks.  Five years ago, I had 8, given to me by a neighbor when I lived in Illinois.

As you can see, I also added some larger rocks.  They just give a nice contrast to the plants and add another natural element.

These succulents are awesome!  We’ve even had a couple of bad storms and the bird bath hasn’t been washed out in any way.  That was my biggest concern.   I did plant everything when I knew the weather was going to be nice for the week.  Just to let the roots establish and hold everything in place.

I know I will need to bring the bird bath bowl into my garage during the winter.  It’s just too darn cold here in Wisconsin for things to overwinter in containers.  As an fyi, if you are a gardener, I am in zone 5b.  And, I’ve had no problems finding lots of succulents to grow as perennials.

I love looking at my succulent bird bath garden!  It brings me joy that I have repurposed the bird bath that is special to me.  And, now is purposefully used.

Please forgive any weeds you see.

Have you had a special outdoor item that you used for something other than it’s intended use?  And, did you just love it?

If you like gardening and especially seeming more about succulents, take a peek at these posts.

Succulent Containers

My Fairy Garden

Succulents in a Strawberry Pot

Bringing Hens and Chicks indoors