Creating a vintage garden without flowers

 When you live in the high desert like I do, growing anything is something of a challenge. One way to add color to the ultra hot spots of my yard is with colorful vintage (or fake vintage) containers. Tins, old cups, and even old plates can add a spot of color to an otherwise dull corner of the yard.






I recently found an interesting old birdhouse at the junkstore which quickly went on the south facing wall of my garden shed. The birdhouse was pretty enough with its cheerful yellow color but when paired with a bunch of colorful coffee and tea cups, it looked even better!

 I chose cups with a floral pattern to fill up the shelves of this birdhouse. Some of the cups were vintage and some were contemporary, but all of them had some kind of damage and weren't good enough to use.  Here's a closer look....

Dishes hold up remarkable well in the yard and keep their colors for many years. They do need to be brought indoors once the temps drop to below freezing to avoid the cycle of freezing & thawing that leads to cracks.