We placed an inexpensive birdbath among them so the lemon yellow petals would create a floating potpourri as they dropped. A dovecote-style bird feeder, which we purchased at a local home-center store and painted white, makes a stand-out accent. To construct the wattle edging, we used the plentiful supply of privet clippings taken from the back of the property.
Zinnias planted from seeds cover the remaining space. These colorful, drought-tolerant annuals germinate quickly, draw butterflies, and provide cut flowers all summer.
The last of the frugal planting was done by the cardinals and finches that dropped sunflower seeds from the new bird feeder. As the seeds fell into the soft, fertile soil, they quickly sprouted and grew tall enough to peek over the tops of the zinnias. The bright sunflower faces were such a nice finishing touch; it made us wish we had thought of it ourselves.
BARGAIN BLOOMS: For this makeover, our goal was to be speedy as well as thrifty. Here's how we spent (and saved) our money.
- 2 loads of leaf mold $40
- 1 load of zoo-doo free wattle edging free
- birdbath $80
- bird feeder, post, and brackets $85
- 1 (25-pound) bag sunflower seeds $10
- 5 packs of common zinnia seeds $10
- 2 flats of Zinnia angustifolia $25
- 10 'Carefree Sunshine' roses $150
- 4 bales pine straw mulch $10
- Total $410
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