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July 12, 2016 By Shirley

How To Turn A Garden Container Into A Water Feature

A couple of months ago, on a trip to my favorite garden center I came across a fountain

that I thought would be wonderful on my front porch.

I love the sound and appearance of flowing water.

The fine folks of Smart Pond contacted me and asked if I would create

a pond/water feature in my garden. I gladly accepted; however, I wanted to do something a bit different.

I got that epiphany, that “ah-ha” moment when adding water to my fountain on the porch.

Garden Container Pond - Housepitality Designs

I could turn a garden container into a water feature!

I used a large garden container that was already on the front porch

that was next to the bubbler/fountain. It contained some plants that have been  removed and relocated.

Garden Container Pond/Fountain - Housepitality Designs

The next step was to water proof the container by using a rubber sealant

and plugging the drainage hole with a plumbing stopper and sealant.

Garden Container Pond/Fountain - Housepitality Designs

Three bags of large decorative rocks were rinsed well and placed in the container.

The container was then filled with water to about one inch below the rim.

We added some pond tint and sludge remover to the water as directed.

Garden Container Pond/Fountain - Housepitality Designs

A pond friendly papyrus plant was placed on top of the rocks.

The filter was placed next to the papyrus plant against the side of the garden container

and with the background of the black sealant, the filter is barely visible.

The heron is the pond “spitter” and we used a heavy duty glue to adhere it to the rim of the container.

Garden Container Pond/Fountain - Housepitality Designs

The tubing was connected to the filter and on to the Heron Spitter.

Garden Container Pond/Fountain - Housepitality Designs

After some adjustments of the water flow on the filter, we had a fountain!

I had another Heron/spitter, so I placed it on the rocks and tucked it into the plants.

I also found water irises and water hyacinths to add to the pond/fountain.

For more color I clipped some hydrangeas to float on top of the water.

Garden Container Pond/Fountain - Housepitality Designs

The water hyacinths are not blooming now,

and I look forward to their pretty lavender blooms.

Garden Container Pond/Fountain - Housepitality Designs

Caladiums replaced the geranium in the smaller cobalt blue pot for more color.

Garden Container Pond/Fountain - Housepitality Designs

A blue and white bowl with summer blooms were added to the corner

along with Harriet the Hedgehog.

Garden Container Pond/Fountain - Housepitality Designs

I cannot tell you how so very pleased I am that my idea (epiphany)

of turning a garden container into a water feature that turned out so wonderfully.

Garden Container Pond/Fountain - Housepitality Designs

This truly enhanced my summer porch!

Did I mention that I so love the look and sounds of running water?

I hope my family and friends do too, as these sounds greet them as they step onto the front porch.

Garden Container Pond/Fountain - Housepitality Designs

And speaking of the porch, I refreshed the other side of it

in honor of the new garden container water feature, adding new plants.

Summer Porch - Housepitality Designs

Summer Porch - Housepitality Designs

This project was done on a weekend.

You can get this wonderful garden container water feature with just a few pond items.

Items from Smart Pond ( may be purchased at any Lowe’s Home Improvement Center) include

a filter, tubing, and a spitter (the Heron).

Garden Container Pond/Fountain - Housepitality Designs

I love being on the front porch as the sights and sounds are so calming and beautiful!

On that note, I hope your day is filled with sights and sounds that make you feel calm

and beautiful too!!!

Note: This is a sponsored post by the fine folks at Smart Pond.

All glowing reviews and compliments are entirely and happily my own!!!

And thanks to my hubby for being a major part of this D.I.Y. project!

I am joining:

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Cobalt Blue, diy, Pond, Pond Plants, porch, Smart Pond, Summer porch, Water Container Garden, Water Feature 47 Comments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. laura janning says

    July 12, 2016 at 7:04 am

    nothing better then hearing the sound of trickling water…and sitting on a beautiful patio.

    Reply
  2. Pam Richardson says

    July 12, 2016 at 7:04 am

    Shirley, what a great idea! What a beautiful sight and sound as guests step onto your porch…the sound of water is so calm and serene! Happy Tuesday!

    Reply
  3. Shenita says

    July 12, 2016 at 7:11 am

    Shirley, this was such a great idea! I can only imagine how welcoming it is on your front porch. This is lovely with all of your beautiful plants. It seems so relaxing.

    Reply
  4. Anne says

    July 12, 2016 at 7:40 am

    That look awesome! Great job Shirley!! (and thanks for your sweet comment on my lighting fiasco, too!) xox

    Reply
  5. Mary Alice Patterson says

    July 12, 2016 at 8:12 am

    Your front porch is such a beautiful spot to welcome friends and family as well as to sit awhile. I love the sound of water too…such a tranquil spot you’ve created, Shirley.
    Looking forward to our day out tomorrow,
    Mary Alice

    Reply
  6. Donnamae says

    July 12, 2016 at 8:27 am

    Love it! Yes…I love water too. Both fountains look lovely together….did you make the other one too, and I missed it? And Harriet…she’s perfect! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  7. mary-Louise Shimkus says

    July 12, 2016 at 8:28 am

    Love, love, love your fountain! So beautifully thought out. I’m a sucker for the sound of water too. Shirley, project well done!

    Reply
  8. Stacey says

    July 12, 2016 at 8:30 am

    Your little fountain is beautiful, Shirley! The plants are doing so well and I know you love the sounds. ๐Ÿ™‚ Pinning and pinning.

    Reply
  9. Rhonda says

    July 12, 2016 at 8:44 am

    Love your fountain! The herons and blue containers are so pretty! And I really like the water plants you used! Job well done! ๐Ÿ™‚ ~Rhonda

    Reply
  10. Pinky at designs by pinky says

    July 12, 2016 at 9:06 am

    AHHHH, this makes me feel so calm and welcomed! I love the blue pots, I have 3 on my back deck. I LOOOVE the herons/spitters. I thought they were ducks at first:) What a great job you did! The water hyacinths will mULTIPLY rapidly! We end up throwing many away as they will cover the pond! Love the idea of floating the hydrangeas too! Have a beautiful day!

    Reply
  11. Shannon@Belle Bleu Interiors says

    July 12, 2016 at 9:06 am

    Shirley, your water feature and porch look beautiful. What a great idea! I love water features and the soothing sound they make. The herons make the perfect touch. I hope that you have a great day!!!

    Reply
  12. Penny at The Comforts of Home says

    July 12, 2016 at 9:08 am

    I love a water feature and this one turned out amazing!

    Reply
  13. Joann says

    July 12, 2016 at 9:11 am

    What a wonderful water feature to welcome your guests and for you to enjoy! Both sides of your porch are beautiful!

    Reply
  14. Pamela-From my front porch to yours says

    July 12, 2016 at 9:52 am

    Love it Shirley! I will have to go and price the herons. My mom loves them and they would make for the perfect Christmas gift for her garden.

    Reply
  15. Teresa Emrich says

    July 12, 2016 at 10:00 am

    Love both your water features. I would love to know where you purchased your herons.
    Always LOVE your blogs.

    Reply
    • Shirley says

      July 12, 2016 at 2:38 pm

      Thanks Teresa…you can purchase the Heron at Lowe’s Home Improvement.

      Reply
  16. Sandra Jo Ferguson says

    July 12, 2016 at 10:24 am

    Where did you find your water plants..love the fountain…great job

    Reply
    • Shirley says

      July 12, 2016 at 2:39 pm

      Thanks Sandy Jo….found the plants at a local garden center where they have water plants for ponds.

      Reply
  17. Richella Parham says

    July 12, 2016 at 11:57 am

    Thank you so much for this post, Shirley, because I am wanting to add a water feature to our new patio. I’ve done NOTHING back there and I’m eager now to make plans for late summer and autumn. Thanks for the inspiration and the information!

    Reply
  18. Bonnie says

    July 12, 2016 at 12:40 pm

    Love the fountain, great idea!!

    Reply
  19. Mary W Ferguson says

    July 12, 2016 at 1:16 pm

    Shirley, the water feature looks great on your front porch. I love the sound of water running. I have a large three tired fountain in the back yard between the two patios. I can hear the sound of water running when I have my bedroom window open.

    Your front porch looks so good with all your beautiful pillows, plants, etc. What a great place to sit and relax with a sweet tea.

    Have a great rest of the week.

    Mary

    Reply
  20. Pamela says

    July 12, 2016 at 1:41 pm

    We have water fountains at all three enhances to our home. I, too, love the sound of trickling water. My favorite is when we can have all the windows open so I can hear it while indoors. ?

    Reply
  21. PAM says

    July 12, 2016 at 1:50 pm

    I want that same exact thing on my front porch. It’s gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Shirley says

      July 12, 2016 at 2:30 pm

      We can make that happen!….A project we can do together!!

      Reply
  22. Jane Windham says

    July 12, 2016 at 4:17 pm

    Shirley, what a welcoming corner you’ve created with your water features! I love how you used not one, but 2 of the herons!!! I’m glad you explained what you used to stop up the drainage hole because I have been wondering about that! We spend so much time on our front porch that I’d like to create something similar! Just beautiful!!!

    Reply
  23. Cindy says

    July 12, 2016 at 5:15 pm

    I have seen these for a longtime. The sound of trickling water is always a relaxing element outside

    Cindy

    Reply
  24. Debbie Manno says

    July 12, 2016 at 6:01 pm

    That is a beauty on your porch Shirley! I love it. The color is smashing too:)

    Reply
  25. Kirby carespodi says

    July 12, 2016 at 6:18 pm

    I just love it! How wonderful to have the perfect spot for it.

    Reply
  26. Cecilia says

    July 12, 2016 at 8:05 pm

    I love your water features! Nothing like the sound of gurgling water. It looks great and so very inviting!

    Reply
  27. Jenna says

    July 13, 2016 at 9:30 am

    Wow Shirley, your fountain is beautiful! What an inviting spot- I love your nest pillow too, such a wonderful place to relax!

    Reply
  28. VERONICA says

    July 13, 2016 at 11:11 am

    Beautiful job!

    Reply
  29. Lisa says

    July 13, 2016 at 7:42 pm

    Shirley
    This fountain is absolutely gorgeous! I love the blue pots you used and the brass herons. The whole scene is stunning! I agree that there really is nothing better than the sound of trickling water.;-)
    PS Thanks for stopping by and becoming a new follower!

    Reply
  30. Jeanne says

    July 14, 2016 at 12:37 pm

    Shirley – this is a wonderful tutorial on creating a water feature – the blue pots and brass herons are perfect…love how you tucked it in a corner so you can hear the sound before you see the pot. A wonderful surprise at the doorway. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  31. Summer says

    July 14, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    This is so gorgeous โ™ฅโ™ฅ

    summerdaisy.net

    Reply
  32. Pam @ diy Design Fanatic says

    July 14, 2016 at 11:40 pm

    Very pretty Shirley! I love the blue pot. Your new water feature must make sitting on your porch so relaxing!

    Reply
  33. Mary says

    July 15, 2016 at 5:43 am

    I love your water feature with heron and your pretty blue pot was the perfect candidate to convert for a water garden! I would add one by my potting shed in a heartbeat if I had electricity there!

    Reply
  34. Design Chic says

    July 15, 2016 at 9:45 am

    Love nothing more than the relaxing sound of a fountain. So beautiful, Shirley! Happy weekend!

    Reply
  35. Design Chic says

    July 15, 2016 at 9:47 am

    I just love the relaxing sound of a fountain and yours is amazing, Shirley! Happy weekend!

    Reply
  36. Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says

    July 16, 2016 at 5:00 pm

    Love the sound of running water. This looks so pretty on your wonderful porch. I bet it is relaxing to listen to the sounds of your fountain. Have a great week end.
    Kris

    Reply
  37. lorb says

    July 17, 2016 at 9:43 am

    How lovely and peaceful… Great place for meditation…

    Reply
  38. Fish Pond Sealant says

    December 29, 2016 at 2:42 am

    Wow! What ideas you have shared beautiful post with excellent thoughts. One excellent thing about ponds I would like to share and that is Pondpro2000.

    Reply
  39. Oliver Gardener says

    February 13, 2017 at 1:05 pm

    This is very inspiring, Shirley. I’m going to try something similar.
    Glad to have found your site. I’ll share this with some of my friends–I’m sure they’ll love it.

    Oliver ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  40. bonnie morgan says

    June 13, 2017 at 10:38 am

    Wonderful reading this post again from Pam’s Garden’s Galore.

    Reply
  41. Pam Richardson says

    June 13, 2017 at 1:05 pm

    I am loving revisiting this beautiful water feature, Shirley! I am trying to talk Butch into moving my fountain that is in our front landscape to be near the patio.,.wish me luck! ? Thanks for your support in my first link party!

    Reply
  42. Carolyn/A Southerner's notebook says

    June 26, 2017 at 9:27 am

    Fabulous idea and I love the container, love that blue.

    Carolyn

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Fall Wreaths and Fall Porch Decor says:
    September 21, 2016 at 5:00 am

    […] pond/fountain parts from Smart Pond that you can buy at Lowe’s … fountain tutorial here. […]

    Reply
  2. Welcoming Spring of Porches, Water Features and More says:
    April 11, 2017 at 6:00 am

    […] you can see it here: How to Turn A Garden Container Into a Water Feature […]

    Reply

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About Me

Hi I’m Shirley and I am here to share my love of classic interiors, french country style, my passion for flowers and making our home, The Hickory Cottage, a warm and hospitable home for family and friends.

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