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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The tubing was connected to the filter and on to the Heron Spitter.
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.
The water hyacinths are not blooming now,
and I look forward to their pretty lavender blooms.
Caladiums replaced the geranium in the smaller cobalt blue pot for more color.
A blue and white bowl with summer blooms were added to the corner
along with Harriet the Hedgehog.
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.
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.
And speaking of the porch, I refreshed the other side of it
in honor of the new garden container water feature, adding new plants.
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).
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:
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday
Confessions of a Plate Addict for The Scoop
Imparting Grace for Grace at Home
nothing better then hearing the sound of trickling water…and sitting on a beautiful patio.
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!
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.
That look awesome! Great job Shirley!! (and thanks for your sweet comment on my lighting fiasco, too!) xox
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
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! 😉
Love, love, love your fountain! So beautifully thought out. I’m a sucker for the sound of water too. Shirley, project well done!
Your little fountain is beautiful, Shirley! The plants are doing so well and I know you love the sounds. 🙂 Pinning and pinning.
Love your fountain! The herons and blue containers are so pretty! And I really like the water plants you used! Job well done! 🙂 ~Rhonda
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!
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!!!
I love a water feature and this one turned out amazing!
What a wonderful water feature to welcome your guests and for you to enjoy! Both sides of your porch are beautiful!
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.
Love both your water features. I would love to know where you purchased your herons.
Always LOVE your blogs.
Thanks Teresa…you can purchase the Heron at Lowe’s Home Improvement.
Where did you find your water plants..love the fountain…great job
Thanks Sandy Jo….found the plants at a local garden center where they have water plants for ponds.
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!
Love the fountain, great idea!!
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
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. ?
I want that same exact thing on my front porch. It’s gorgeous!
We can make that happen!….A project we can do together!!
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!!!
I have seen these for a longtime. The sound of trickling water is always a relaxing element outside
Cindy
That is a beauty on your porch Shirley! I love it. The color is smashing too:)
I just love it! How wonderful to have the perfect spot for it.
I love your water features! Nothing like the sound of gurgling water. It looks great and so very inviting!
Wow Shirley, your fountain is beautiful! What an inviting spot- I love your nest pillow too, such a wonderful place to relax!
Beautiful job!
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!
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. 🙂
This is so gorgeous ♥♥
summerdaisy.net
Very pretty Shirley! I love the blue pot. Your new water feature must make sitting on your porch so relaxing!
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!
Love nothing more than the relaxing sound of a fountain. So beautiful, Shirley! Happy weekend!
I just love the relaxing sound of a fountain and yours is amazing, Shirley! Happy weekend!
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
How lovely and peaceful… Great place for meditation…
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.
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 🙂
Wonderful reading this post again from Pam’s Garden’s Galore.
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!
Fabulous idea and I love the container, love that blue.
Carolyn