Last year I was "bitten by a bug" that just made me want to have some water plants. And since I don't have enough room for even a small pond, I've been content to have a some containers with water plants. Found the black "vinyl-like" planter last fall and just tucked it away knowing that I'd start another water garden this spring. And while at one of my many visits to the dollar store I saw this bucket/stand. It's intended to be used to ice down beverages on the patio, etc. But that's not what I saw when I spotted it! I thought "PLANTS"! My original intention was just to put flowers in it, but the black planter fit perfectly in the bucket (which also keeps it high enough the animals won't try to drink from it). So "viola"! Container Water Garden #3! Water Container Garded #3 ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) I put some of the Louisiana Black Iris in it. And that other surface plant (have to remember to get the name of it) and tried my luck again with one of those pouches with a Canna in it (from one of the big home improvement centers). The one's I tried last year never did a thing... but this one actually had a few roots and a little bit of the stem showing when I bought it... so I have high hopes for it. That orange thing you see is just the marker for the Canna. Like I could lose it in something so small And the bottom shelf works perfectly for the polka dot plant since it gets some shade.
The Louisiana Black Iris has been the envy of my friends and neighbors! Everyone just loves the color... especially ME! I can't thank Toni enough for "turning me on" to it.
Absolutely perfect in every way Cheryl. Even although I have a large pond in my garden I find myself being a tad jealous of your beautiful water features. You have a good eye for water container design that's for sure.
I really like that too, especially the height of it. Can you tell me, do you have to change the water often or just run the hose until it overflows or ... some other technique? I had a little water pot last summer.
I usually just run the hose to flush it out. Except for about every couple of months, I'll give it a proper cleaning by removing the pot and scrubbing the container out. I also use Algae drops to help out.
Your stand planter holder is great and it has a second shelf. I need another stand, had not thought about checking at Dollar General. I think I need to do that. Causing an addiction in someone else is so fulfilling I have two large pots of the Iris, started out as one small plant but every year they multiply and I had to divide them a couple of years ago. Several of the Iris are starting to swell producing buds, hopefully I will get about 4 blooms this year.
My co-worker saw the photo of the Iris and is begging for some! Once the blooms have died off, I'll do some dividing and sharing. Hopefully passing along the addiction to someone else!
wow! It is really a great water garden! and the Black Iris is perfect! I'm sure they will be envious,and so am I.. you really have the guts on this! you're great!!
I plan on more water container gardens. Not necessarily like this one... I guess it all depends on the container I find. :-D Here's the other two that I have. This one was from one of those garden tool benches that wasn't being used. The Step2 Duck Pond ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) And this one is just a ceramic vase. Black Gamecock placed in water ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) And here it is with the Iris blooming. Louisiana Black Iris2 ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) They are easy to make and even easier to maintain. So far the hardest part has been to find the plants locally. I did find an online place that has a good variety. Hmmmm... this is a good time to look them up again and maybe get a few more plants?
I love the one made out of the garden tool storage bench. That is so crafty. I am looking for an old time wooden basket that they use here in my town for flowers so i can cut it in half and have it look like flowers are falling out of it.
