You have seen them,…rusty, dusty birdcages, pushed to the back of a thrift shop shelf. Next time, snap one up! Spray paint it, or not, depending on the finish, then fill it with fresh flowers!
Racquel Stair “Thrift store decorative birdcage turned into pretty hanging planter with just a coat of black spray paint, a coconut liner and a Verbena plant. It was a shiny brass color before. I like this much better. Don’t you?”
Lynne from The Red Picket Fence says, “Here is a birdcage that I put together. I mixed all sorts of sedum. The bird cage is not solid at the bottom. You can kind of see on the bottom right side the tray that is supposed to come out for cleaning. And yes, they lie down and come back year after year here in NE Wisconsin. And if things don’t have drainage….I usually drill holes in it.”
Tips:
After you find a cage, remove any feeders or water cups.
Check to see if the cage has a top that lifts off. Some do, and it’s MUCH easier to plant.
If you find a base for your cage like a metal plant stand or metal table, remove the bottom tray so water will flow through.
Line the bottom with landscape fabric or coco-fiber basket liner to hold the soil.
If you hang your cage, drill a few holes in the tray if it’s water tight.
Priscilla Lepine says, “I found this pink birdcage at a Sally Ann in Vancouver about 4 years ago, and it has been my favourite planter since. I put moss around the bottom, added dirt and made the whole thing into a planter. I love it!”
Finding birdcages for the garden
We find birdcages at the most reasonable price at thrift shops. Even at yard sales, sellers are clued in that they can ask more and more for these popular garden treasures.
Choose a color to spray paint your cage,…unless….it has a wonderful rusty patina.
Cindy Barnes filled the bottom of her rusty rustic cage with moss, soil and an ivy.
Nell Stelzer “This is my small planted birdcage, with red million bells in a mosaic clay pot.”
Barbara Stanley “This is my miniature birdcage that’s in one of my fairy gardens. This garden is in an old hospital nursery crib.” (See the crib rail in the background?)
“My birdcage holds a fairy garden. This cage was a fountain originally and I found it at a thrift shop for $10, presumably because it didn’t work! I love it!” ~~ Sue
How to display a garden birdcage
- Hang from a tree, fence or post with a bracket
- Set on a wall or grouping of stones
- Set the cage on an old metal table or plant stand
- Set the cage on a stack of bricks or blocks; arrange with other container plants
- Hang from a shepherd’s hook in the center of a flower bed
- Use as a hanging trellis to support a vine
Becky Norris “My old birdcage from the flea market, a little paint, planter from the auction and a plant from the local greenhouse. Priceless…”
Jeanie Merritt “A salvaged birdcage,…and a beautiful mandevilla makes a terrific combination!” See Jeanie’s cagey plant hanger for how to.
Jeanne Sammons “Anybody use birdcages in their gardens?! This picture I took in my friend’s garden a few yrs back and have always loved it!”
In your birdcage, display:
- A plant
- A fairy garden
- A bird!
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I have to unsubscribe, NEVER, just kidding. Every time I see something on the page I want to make it. Thanks again for all the wonderful inspiration you share with all the views/readers. I've had so much fun re-creating things and getting new and fun ideas from your site.
The birdcages are darling and have so many possibilities. I'm going on the hunt this weekend and I am going to find one and fill it with some herbs for inside. Have a wonderful day!