The Water Lilies Now Have A Home

I had ordered some water lilies to go into one of my small container water gardens. Found out that "miniature" lilies are still pretty good size. So I had to get them a nice home. But I really didn't have the money to spend right now. So... had to do it as cheaply as possible. Container. No problem. Have a big one that my brother got for me last year that would be about perfect. It's about 1.5 feet high and 2.5 feet wide. The outside would need some help but I had a plan for that. (zero dollars)

big planter ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )

But it would need a liner. And there was no way I was going to spend $30-40 for a pond liner. My brother said he had a big roll of thick plastic and I could use whatever I wanted. (zero dollars)
So... I make sure I get enough to triple the thickness and line the pot. While doing this I noticed that the plastic was not in very good shape... it seemed brittle. But I had to give it a try. And yep.... it leaked. (zero dollars)

One of my neighbors noticed me stomping about and muttering. He said he had a plastic water barrel that I could have. He asked about what height I needed and I told him 2 foot high. I got home and there it sat. It was a little tall... I should have told him 1.5 feet. But no complaints.
I brought him a six-pack of his favorite beer. And now I had a leak-proof container! ($7.00)
So I washed it out and placed the plants.

barrell pond ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )

I scrubbed down the outside, but it was still kinda ugly. Remember I said I had a plan to cover up the ugly black planter? Remember I said I had a lot of bamboo growing where I live? Well... my plan was to cut a bunch of bamboo to length and tie them together to make a "sleeve" to cover the pot. All it would take was to buy some string... and a LOT of time.
Well... I'm not that patient sometimes... especially since I've been trying for a couple of weeks to get these water lilies a home. So, while tending to the other plants, I had an idea. Measured the barrel. Jumped in the truck and headed to Big Lots (a discount store). Found what I was looking for. ($5.00)

bamboo curtain ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )

The curtain fit the measurements of the barrel EXACTLY! Now I was glad the container was 2 foot. Picked up a can of spray-on shellac ($7.00) and coated the curtain on both sides with it. Hopefully it will keep it from deteriorating quickly.
And here's my latest water container garden.

barrel pond finished ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )

Told my neighbor to come take a look. He liked it. I asked if I could have the other half of the barrel, too... in case I'd ever want another garden. He said he was about to throw it away because it was just one foot tall and he didn't think I'd want something so shallow. (We both originally thought the barrel was 4 foot... not 3.) So I got the top and already have a plan for it. My Louisiana Black Irises would love to have a larger home! But that's a project for Spring, I think.

barrel top ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )

So for less than $20, I have the container for the water lilies... and a bigger home for the irises. Hmmm... wonder what I can plant in the container once I move the irises??? Laughing

And now my co-worker says I should put some fish in it.
Oh no... there goes the budget!

Oh yeah... and speaking of all things "water"... while I was at Big Lots I spotted this guy and just had to have him (it was 30% off). I put him on top of the blue shelf next to the barrel pond.

pelican ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )

A completed project without spending a lot of money... PRICELESS.

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The Water Lilies Now Have A Home - updated