The Birdbath On Amazon That Doubles As A Trellis For Climbing Plants

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If you're yearning to add a little wildlife to your landscape, a birdbath that does double duty as a support for climbing plants might be just what you need. Growing vines that attract pollinators turns the birdbath into a magnet for not just birds, but also for beneficial insects. The vintage metal Hogardeck Birdbath and Trellis available on Amazon is an affordable way to satisfy the needs of the birds and the bees, even in a tiny yard or on a large balcony. Its twining metalwork depicts colorful birds and vines climbing toward the birdbath's saucer, making it an attractive addition to your landscape. If you don't have the time to maintain a birdbath, the saucer can be used for birdseed instead of water.

The 35-inch-tall, rust-resistant birdbath has two stylized birds perched at opposite sides of the saucer, where your flying friends can rest, groom, and take a drink. Spikes at the base keep it firmly in the ground, but make sure you install it in soil that won't become unstable if it gets soggy. The best spot for your new birdbath is shady, so the water doesn't evaporate quickly, and far enough away from places where predators can hide, so the birds can enjoy themselves safely. You can make your maintenance chores easier by placing the birdbath near the water source you'll use to clean and refill the saucer and irrigate the vines around the base.

To get the full benefit of the birdbath/trellis combination, plant climbing vines around its base that will turn it into a bird magnet. The sempervirens species of honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), hardy in zones 4a to 9b, has trumpet-shaped flowers that are yellow on the inside and red on the outside; They bloom in the spring and summer. If you choose to train honeysuckle on your trellis, make sure you select a non-invasive species like sempervirens. The white blooms of moonflower (Ipomoea alba), hardy in zones 10a to 12b, bring something a little different to the garden. The large, fragrant flowers open at night in the summer and fall. Whichever plants you grow on the birdbath's trellis, you'll need to learn how to prune them so that the plant doesn't overwhelm the structure.

You can keep the birds that visit your birdbath happy with regular attention. The saucer of the Hogardeck is removable, a big plus since you'll need to wash it once a week to keep algae out of the birdbath. In the summer, the water should be changed daily to prevent mosquito larvae from hatching. The easiest way to do this is to flush the old water out with a hose, then refill it. To make your birdbath even more tempting for birds, consider adding a mister or a DIY birdbath dripper. You can pick a mister up from Amazon when you buy the birdbath, or find one at your local nursery.