“Our garden boots and clogs really take a beating, don't they? Even the best pair will eventually show worn spots, holes, or lose their support. But those faithful old shoes can actually get a…”
String of Pearls
Senecio rowleyanus
Our garden boots and clogs really take a beating, don't they? Even the best pair will eventually show worn spots, holes, or lose their support. But those faithful old shoes can actually get a charming second life as a whimsical garden planter!
Planting in a shoe or boot is really no different from planting in any container. I always use fresh potting mix with good drainage, and make sure to drill some holes in the soles so excess water can escape.
Match the plants' mature size to the size of the shoes—it makes all the difference. You can also have fun with different plant habits: I love popping trailing plants into tall boots, or something short and spiky into low clogs. Crocs with holes across the foot are especially fun—I like tucking little pieces of sedums or sempervivums into each hole.
Image: "Shoe as planter" by Joe Mabel - Photo by Joe Mabel.Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons._____________________________________________Looking for more creative container ideas for patios, porches, and small spaces? Small-Space Container Gardens is full of inspiration.
You can also check out favorite Horticulture articles on container gardening with our Container Gardening CD.
