Most of the things I love as an adult can be traced somewhere back to my childhood. Such is the case with concrete garden accessories. My Oma and Opa had concrete planters, a bird bath, and a bench in their yard in both of the houses they lived in when I was growing up. And most of those pieces were passed down from their parents. I remember sitting in the grass and using that bench as a counter for all sorts of creative outdoor activities. I would make mud cakes to serve at an imaginary restaurant and line up small stones to make patterns. I didn’t need much to entertain myself!
When we cleaned out my Opa’s house after he passed away, I really wanted to take the bench and birdbath, but they were just too heavy and my van was already loaded. We left them with the house, but I did take four antique concrete planters that were passed down through our family. You can see the two square ones flanking the front porch entrance below…
I have used all four of them in our last three homes and they are a favorite for outdoor decorating. They are chipped and weathered, but that makes me love them all the more. They have history that is a part of our family’s history.
They’ve held small bushes, flowers, and evergreen arrangements over the years and they’ve moved over 1,000 miles and back again.
I’ve added a few pieces when I’ve found them at reasonable prices, like these large concrete urn planters. I had a pair of them, but one broken beyond repair in the move to Minnesota. The one that survived was an urn that had been repaired with a metal strap. I always liked the ingenuity and quirkiness of the repair.
I’ve even bought and sold a few pieces over the years when I was selling at antique stores and markets and I’ve bought some modern clay pots to sell (and keep) that had the same feel as concrete pots. You can find great concrete-ish clay pots .
When we moved to our new house in Maryland, I had the idea that I wanted a concrete birdbath. I could imagine one in the front yard in the garden nestled in the U-shape of the house. So, when I went to the Lucketts Fall Market, I wrote “concrete birdbath” on my list. Well, one of my very sweet and generous readers sent me an e-mail and let me know she would be moving and had a concrete birdbath she would like to give to me. Winter got away from me, but I finally went over to her house last week to pick up the birdbath.
And, it’s perfect.
She also offered two urn-shaped planters and two windowbox planters. Of course, I accepted those as well.
The urn-shaped planters are just like the pair I have from my Oma and Opa’s house, but they are newer and in much better condition.
And the windowbox planters are just wonderful! I’m going to find the perfect spot to use them in the back yard around the pool.
I thanked the woman profusely. I know she could’ve sold these and made some money, but she just wanted to see them go to a good home where they will be appreciated and these definitely will be!
I tried to source some concrete planters online, but they are pretty hard to come by. I imagine they are pretty nasty to ship since they are so heavy. If you’re looking for concrete planters and garden accessories to use in your yard, the best place to look is at local nurseries or antique stores/markets. I’ll often see great old garden pieces when I’m out and about.
Are concrete garden accessories a favorite for anyone else?
So, speaking of the garden, I’m at a bit of a standstill with the garden beds around the house until we powerwash and paint. I don’t want to plant bushes and put down mulch just to have them in the way. So, the yard is looking a little weedy and sad at the moment, but I’m hoping that will change as we get further into summer and we’re able to get more outdoor projects completed.
27 Responses
I have a concrete birdbath from my mother who is no longer here. It has algae buildup on it. How would you clean this ? Love your planters !
I would probably powerwash it, but there might be a solution you can also spray on and hose it off.
Use Wet ‘n Forget after power washing. That does a good job of keeping an item clean.
Bleach we have multiple stone birdbaths fill pot bleach in cover with garbage can lid let set hour scrub with hand brush, rinse, refill. I put capful bleach in clean water helps with mosquitoes lasts bout week! Multiple species of birds plus squirrels other species 😊
Vinegar wash,diluted would probably work,dont think it would hurt to try.
I picked up a rose bloom concrete birdbath at an estate sale years back and it is a beautiful piece. I have never given it a thought that concrete planters/benches/birdbaths to be generational, mind opened wide! I would love to have a bench for my memorial rose garden. Since I live on a cattle ranch, I have quirky garden accessories in my vegetable garden. Last year I picked up a welded steel “cowboy” that was once a dvd/cd tower. He now is a sweet potato vine trellis and his “guns” hold a welcome wreath.
Have fun planting your new planters. Spring is visiting today in my little patch of the Pacific NW.
I have my grandmothers concrete bird bath. It has already moved to three different homes with us. I love it, and I love that it’s a visible reminder of her. ❤️
Wow, what a lovely gift of all the concrete items! And the fact that they match your old ones is a super bonus! Concrete items are indeed a bear to move, but they do last for lifetimes and are worth getting if you like how they look. Your garden is already off to a good start even if you can’t plant yet!
I too love old concrete and have quite an assortment. Found most of mine at auction or sales. In fact I have that same birdbath. The bottom of the bowl disintegrated and won’t hold water so I use it as a planter. I haul all mine into the potting shed for in the fall since Iowa winters are so hard on them. Labor of love.
Oh yes, I love concrete garden pieces! I have found mine at estate sales and on Facebook marketplace. I just decided this year to get rid of all the plastic and have only concrete or stone. My favorites are two concrete squirrels that have the best patina. I thoroughly enjoyed this post! My parents had the same fleur-de-lis planters at both of their houses as well! All of your pieces are lovely.
I just adore concrete planters…especially the old, mossy ones. I am lucky enough to live one hour away from a fabulous garden center which manufactures and sells thousands of concrete items. The prices are very reasonable since they are made on site. If you ever find yourself going south on Route 81 just north of Harrisonburg in Virginia get off the highway onto Route 11 and look for Harper’s Lawn Ornaments…you will not be disappointed.
We will be moving in the near future and will have to leave my angel bench behind. The base is two angels holding bouquets of flowers on their laps. The seat has cherubs on each corner. It is so sweet…and so HEAVY! Hopefully, the new owners will love it as much as I do.
That’s quite a treasure trove you scored! Yes, these old planters and baths are a favorite of mine as well. Patience, though, you have a lot to accomplish and you know what they say about Rome…
I have my husband’s parents concrete planters. I empty and turn upside down for Michigan winters. I bought my husband a beautiful concrete bird bath for a birthday and we love to watch the birds bathe in it as it is near our deck. We leave the pedestal out but lean the bath part against the house for the winter. Martha said to turn the bath upside down on the pedestal but we have deer that might knock it over.
I looove concrete anything. How blessed to have a friend like that!
Hi Marian,
I love concrete garden items. I have a bird bath, bench and 5 large urns. I love the way they look and their texture. I look forward to every spring to fill them with flowering plants. Enjoy your new finds!!
Moss on a old birdbath is beautiful, especially if it drips over the side. The bees love the water that collects there. The grape hyacinth around your birdbath is lovely, heralds that spring is here!
Hi Marian,
I love concrete planters and urns. Years ago, my friend and I heard that Rosarita Beach, Mexico sold concrete planters for much less than the nurseries. We drove down and purchased several items. I love the way they age and how the green moss can grow on them.
Your pieces are beautiful.
Karen B.
Marian, your concrete items are lovely! You are really going to enjoy them this summer! How nice that a friend gave these to you! I know you will find the perfect place — and the lovely flowers — for each of them. Enjoy!
I love concrete planters! My go-to places are Harpers Statuary and Water Gardens in Harrisonbug,Va. exit 251 off I81 Very well priced because they make it there.
We also always stop at Cast Stone Studio about 12 miles before the bridge going to the Outer Banks. Both have websites and Facebook pages.
My Mom has my late grandmother’s concrete planters and they still look very nice. I have a concrete birdbath that I bought many years ago on Rt 460 near Waverly on the way to Virginia Beach. This place sold all types of outdoor concrete items but I am not sure if it’s still there. How nice of that lady to contract you and give you the birdbath and other planters. Hopefully, she will see in your pictures that her pieces have gone to a very good home and are treasured.
Those are wonderful planters. So nice of her to think of you. She knew they were going to a good home. I have 4 planters from my family farm. They are over 50 years old and a little crumbly, but still useful. I did have a bird bath but the bowl broke. We have a concrete store not too far away so I will be getting there soon to find a replacement. You will have everything in ship shape before you know it.
What a great gift from a kindhearted soul! I have a life-sized dog in the sitting position holding a basket. It’s incredibly heavy and has faithfully moved with me ten times. Sadly a few chips to the base and one ear, but loyally greets all visitors at the front door and has a forever home with me!
These are wonderful-can’t wait to see more of your yard.
A few weeks ago my husband went out for a Sunday night walk(we have trash pick up on Monday)-when he arrived home, he hopped in his truck without even coming in the house. He knew I would love what he found-2 concrete bird baths(one with a squirrel climbing the base) and a plethora of oversized planters. Needless to say, I was thrilled.
I love concrete garden items – especially worn statues and planters! I’ve collected many from estate sales.
Cement Flower Pots – My father used to make big cement flower pots with a metal mold that he had. I have two that are still going – barely, from the 1950’s. Sadly, one broke a couple of years ago so I took a big piece of it and put it on it’s side in my rock garden and plant flowers in it as if they are spilling out of it. My father loved his flowers and his gardens so I’m happy to bring a little bit of him into my rock garden. It makes me smile whenever I look at it.
I never knew how much I adored garden accessories until I really got into gardening about 15 years ago. Now I’m always keeping an eye open for concrete urns, birdbaths, and little statues like rabbits or mushrooms to peek out from under a bush… I love the window boxes, by the way. I’ll be adding that to my “must-find” list!
Oh how lovely that you have these pieces from your Oma & Opa. I have my darling Grandma’s beloved birdbath and a curved cement garden bench as well and I even have the same little girl statue from your picture that has stood at our front door for years. I love them all and they bring me such happiness that a piece of something that my darling Grandma so loved is continuing it’s life being loved by me and now my granddaughters love it as well.