This fountain has never been much fun so I have decided to turn it into a planter. I have some firecracker fern and ideas for some other plants for each tier. What I need to know is how to plant. Do I just put potting soil in each tier and plant the plants? Does it need moss? Anyone who can help?
Hmmm, gamallo, thinking aloud . . . first, you need drainage it seems to me. Are you sure you really want to permanently alter this lovely fountain into a planter?
Others need to pipe in here before you set about following my ideas, but it needs to have holes drilled into each bowl, no small task in this piece. Or, perhaps simply filling the lower portion of each bowl with pebbles upon which to sit plants in pots? This appears to rest in much-of-the-day sun, requiring adequate water in your part of the country. I simply don't know how else you might best insure the moisture you'll need.
Then, of course, you'll be hand-watering it regularly, or perhaps the fountain water source can be altered to perform that task for you.
I'm not sure this piece will meet your planting needs. I'd be reluctant to transform it thus. How about using it to introduce, welcome the holiday and/or seasonal changes annually? Large Easter eggs? Christmas tree balls and tinsel? I'm talking about of basketball-size here, painted, colorful. Cylinders decorated to look like firecrackers? Pumpkins?
Other creative folks out here? Or other ideas about planting?
Good luck, Linda
Personally, I would be reluctant to ruin such a nice and expensive fountain by drilling holes in it. And the layers are shallow so you would be watering a lot. I like Twincol's idea of putting potted plants in it. You could mass them in so that the pots don't show, especially if you are using ferns & other thick plants. Just my two cents worth. It's a lovely fountain. : ) Good luck. Post a picture when you decide what to do with it.
I have to agree with jonsmom, I would be a bit hesitant to destroy such a beautiful fountain. I agree with the idea of placing potted plants. If down the road you change your mind about plants, you still have a beautiful fountain. Just my opinion. : )
Hard to tell from the photo how large an area it's currently occupying, but why not leave it as a functioning fountain and design a garden around it, using it as a focal pont?
You could use plants that do well in damp situations, since the overspray from the fountain will tend to keep it a wettish area.
I think you'll become a slave to it if you try to use it as a planter, and besides, it's very nice fountain !
i will not comment on wether you should or should not transform the fountain to a planter, although I do know that without a significant resevoir the water will evaporate rapidly from the fountain, so I can see why you would want to change it (I have a friend with the same problem).
If you transform it, be sure to provide for drainage, and I would reccommend succulents like hens and chicks, sedums, and portuluca because they do not require alot of watering and there is a good chance your cement fountain is going to leach alkalinity, so no acid loving plants.
I saw a fountain very similar to yours planted with the types of plants ncdirtdigger suggested, and it was gorgeous!
I've seen someone have what I think is really supposed to be a fountain. It is like yours only it is equivalent to your bottom tier. They use it as a planter, they have two. Yours even looks wider and deeper. I can't say whether or not there are drain holes in it. I would think if you put a layer of say, maybe 2" rock on the bottom for drainage you could plant in it. The house where I've seen it has annuals planted in it spilling over the sides and it's just gorgeous. I love that home's landscaping and those fountain/planters really caught my eye. If it were me, I wouldn't use too light of a planting mix so it stays moister. I think it would look awesome as a planter, but, it is a nice looking fountain too!
Wow, gamallo, lots of support and encouragement for a change. It sounds like as a planter, there's much to recommend a change such as you want to make. For what it's worth . . . go for it!
Maybe, instead of dirt, you could make a water garden - with plants that would normally be used in a pond? I don't know if it's deep enough, but you could try a few & see. Samantha
Here's a picture of a planter that I think is supposed to be a fountain. I hope you can make out the round section in the middle of the planter that I think is supposed to hold another tier of the fountain. Now, this is not the same planter that I described in my other post. I went by that house the other day (unplanned trip) but didn't have my camera. This picture is one that I came upon accidently today locally so I was able to get a picture. The other planter has purple fountain grass planted in the center section (the part that holds the other tier) and then what I remember to be petunias that spill over the sides. I did not see any drain holes in this planter - I got out and looked underneath. Hope this helps you make your decision.
Here's a link to a thread in the container forum that used a fountain for planting. Take a look at the picture on Aug 2, 2008.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/879277/
I agree with the water loving plants. That is what I did with mine. I just put some lime zingers in there and they did well no matter how much water was in the fountain.
i think it would be foolish its a very beautiful fountain, but you asked?????? pat from mokena
it already has holes just take it apart and but some fabric in the bottom so hole wont get plugged and fill with soil that way you can always put it back if you change your mind
Gamallo, what a hard decision! Be sure to post a picture when you get it planted.
I say TURN IT INTO A PLaNTER! That is what I would do if it were mine. I agree with pebbles for drainage, and you will have to water consistently , but the possibilities are endless. The bottom tier should have a hanging plant, like creeping jenny, interplanted with annuals. I just might go out and find one for my place!
Dh drilled a few small holes in the bottom of mine. Of course mine is much smaller, but essentially the same concept. I have lava rock pieces with my hens & chicks for now. I have been thinking of trying some different things with it, but for now I kind of like it the way it is.
Good luck!
Kristy
I would leave it as a fountain if the pumps still good and it does not leak.
