Free yard art!

Here's an idea for a piece of art for a piece of yard art made entirely from recycled goods.

I don't know about the rest of the country, but here on the West coast, half wine barrels are commonly sold at garden stores for use as planters.

Even tho' they are made of good wood......when you add soil and water it doesn't take long for the bottom of the barrel to deteriorate and the barrel staves to fall out.

So, when the one I had fell apart I saved the metal rings, that hold the staves together, and tossed the wood.  I had the hubby line up all three rings, drill a hole and bolt them together.  Repeat on the opposite side of the rings.  Then, simply, separate the rings into equal spaces.

Voila'!...... Free yard art, with an armillary look!

I had a rusty old bell that I wired, to the center, where the rings are bolted together.  I used large rocks to stabilize it and added smaller rocks to finish it off.

 

I like the round shape, the organic nature of rusty metal and the PRICE!  Free is a very good price!

One more thing, before I go, I'm a pretty casual gardener.  I don't baby plants.....I plant good plants, I water them, I even fertilize occasionally....but I don't baby......with one EXCEPTION...........................

My beloved Princess Flower (Tibouchina urvilleana) a zone 10-11 plant, not really suited for living outdoors year round in Oregon's zone 7..........so she grows in a pot. I LOVE the royal purple, looks-like-velvet flowers, so I'm willing to go the extra mile for this lassie.  The green leaves are soft and furry with a red edge.

I over-winter her in the garage and so far, so good.  I have heard that some people have had success planting it in the ground, in our climate, but I haven't wanted to chance it.

In California, it becomes a rather large bush, mine is more like a four foot tall small tree.

As, I look at this photo, I'm thinking I should cut it back a little more in the spring, when I first bring it outside, that might help it bush out a little more.  Also, it likes heat and our cool spring, probably, didn't help it get off to a good start.

Thanks for visiting, I hope you enjoyed!  Please come again and I appreciate your comments and LOVE followers.

Please join me at the following fun blog parties Blue Monday, Bloomin' Tuesday, Tabletop Tuesday and Oregon Cottage Garden,  Metamorphasis Monday     last but not least Outdoor Wednesday .  These are all great parties, you're not going to want to miss a one!