I purchased this vintage vase and bank at a local antique shop several years ago. The colors and the elves are reminiscent of the 50’s, and I was born in 1956. The colors are favorites of mine and the elves and mushrooms would fit into my gardening themed office. They remained on my desk for a couple of years, with the vase holding my pens and pencils, and the bank loose change.
But it was time to change things up a bit in my office, so I decided the vase should be used for it’s intended purpose to hold flowers. I have a lot of hens and chicks that I have been allowing to spread in an old wagon, and thought they would be perfect for the vase. Since the vase does not have drainage holes, I would need a good potting soil that would drain well. Succulents do not like to be water logged. I had just purchased a new bag of potting soil at the recommendation of a friend. Being peat based with a high perlite content, it is very porous. It comes in a compressed bag, weighing about 60 pounds. When you use it, you first put it in a bucket and add some water to “fluff” it.
I gently removed a few of the hens and chicks being sure the roots were intact.
I filled the vase, and gently pushed the plant into the vase. Instructions on the potting soil say not to firm the soil around the plant, so I just added enough soil to cover, and slightly watered.
Now the vase and bank have found a new home on the deck. I placed them where they are sheltered from the rain, because the paint on the vases will eventually wear off.
Using vintage flower vases and other vintage garden themed items in the garden are fun and can add a little whimsy or “kitsch” to a space. The next time your are at a yard sale or flea market, be sure and be on the look out for one to add to your garden space.
Happy Vintage Gardening
Karen