Bird Feeding Station and Garden Arbor
Toni Visconti and her husband, took advantage of our July Challenge to start and complete a garden arbor dedicated to birds and wildlife in their new home. See all the steps they took to make their wildlife feeding and bathing station that makes a brilliant focal point in their garden.
From drawing board to dream come true. Toni’s bird arbor
Toni Visconti and Doug Smith moved recently from Portland, Oregon to Harper’s Ferry West Virginia. She says, “We were discussing this Bird arbor idea and then your Flea Market Gardening July Project Challenge came along and it was a good excuse to dive right in! Please note this was not a kit, Doug designed and built this all by himself! As you can see from the back yard, he likes circles so we continued the theme! I way over planted, but will be moving lots of stuff around!
170 year old bricks were used for the base of the arbor
Toni says, “The base for the arbor is a 10′ diameter brick patio surrounded by rocks. These came from the foundation of a home built in 1840. We did do something similar in the back yard and included a fire-pit. The landscaping is a work in progress.”
Last year’s project…
Toni’s front patio garden was the first project the couple accomplished
After some delays, the structure takes shape
“Picture it painted white with a ring of plants around it, birdbath in the center and a multitude of feeders hanging from it. It’s six sided so we have 4 sides to play with!” Toni laughs..
Basic structure is finished all from Doug’s design
“It needs to cure 2 weeks before it gets painted white, then bird bath goes in, feeders go up and plants are planted around it! All thanks to my talented husband Doug Smith… it was his design!”
First coat of paint,…done
“The project was a bit behind schedule but it was done within the month – plants have been purchased!” Toni says.
Plants to plant around the arbor
At this point, Toni asked the Flea Market Gardening group for advice on what to plant and used some of these ideas! She says, she just planted the butterfly garden yesterday and was dodging butterflies as she planted the last of the plants! “I am hoping it attracts Hummies, too. Two of those shrubs are crepe myrtles and they should get nice and tall, can’t wait to see what it looks like next year. ” Toni tell us.
More plants purchased for the arbor
Toni says, “The cost if the plants were more than all the rest of the project! Here are some plants slotted for the arbor and butterfly/ hummingbird flower bed! I bought many if the flowers suggested by our group.” Butterfly bush, Crepe Myrtle, Black eyed Susans, Roses, Coreopsis and Hydrangea are included in Toni’s list.
Finished and planted!
This birdbath, all in blue, was placed in the very center
“I do have an awesome husband and we really enjoyed building this together. I just love your website and look forward to the posts to see what else we can do at our house! We still have a coveted dining area, greenhouse and more pavers to put on over the next few years ! A labor of love as you know.” Toni says.
Pin and save…
Pin and save Toni’s bird arbor project
Holiday update:
Here’s the bird arbor at Christmas
At the holidays, the Bird Arbor becomes a candy wonderland. T0ni says, ” Doug made four 8 ft candy canes for the entrance and exit of the arbor. They should be pretty proud of this festive transformation. A holiday for the birds!
More:
How to grow a beautiful butterfly garden
Creating a backyard wildlife habitat
2 Comments
Absolutely gorgeous! Great work, lovely design. The Christmas decorations are fab!! Please give us an update as the plants settle in.
Yes an update…. would like to see this now that it’s plants have had a few years to grow.?