Garden Design Ideas - Uses for Stone Troughs in Gardens

Uses for Stone Troughs in Gardens

You've bought or are thinking of buying a Stone Trough for the garden? Here are a few uses for Stone Garden Troughs that you may not have thought of.

empty stone trough

Stone Troughs are ideal for Gardens, but what are their uses?

Stone Troughs have been used for Garden Decoration for a good number of years now. Their uses are varied, with many people optiing for use as a Garden Planter and filling it with some of the smaller and more decorative garden flowers such as Fuschias, chrysanthemums and Pansies, along with some of the larger flowering plants for variety and impact. Yet planters can also be used for other purposes.

Stone Troughs as a Pond

Stone Troughs are of course traditionally used for containing water, so this makes them ideal as a pond. They can be combined with other water features such as high level waterfalls. You do of course have to choose your fish carefully, so best to check with your local aquatics supplier as to which fish will be hardier, but in general most common cold water fish will be fine (make sure you use a pump and filter and some kind of airator or fountain/waterfall to provide oxygen).

Garden Planters made from Stone Troughs

The one most people will think of, but a Garden Planter made out of a Stone Trough can make a very attractive feature for any garden.
Stone Troughs make excellent Garden Planters, in the fact that they are so attractive to look at, and they can also fot a lot more in than traditional planters. The set stone makes and ideal complimetary surround to any range of plants or flowers contained within. Be wary though, specific care should be taken as to which plants are used, as drainage will be a consideration. Of course, you can always drill some drainage holes in the bottom or side if required.

Water Feature Stone Trough

A water feature made from a Stone Garden Trough is only limited by your imagination and design. There are numerous ways in which you can incorporate a Stone Trough into you water feature. Generally, they are used as a receptacle for a cascade of water, as in the image shown, but there's no reason why they cant be placed at a higher level if required, or integrated into a rockery. It is possible (by a specialist) to carve or drill the trough as ou require it.
Once the trough has been covered with creeping plants or vines, it makes an even more attractive ornament.

Stone Troughs combined with other items

Here's a novel idea you may not have though of. A stone Trough combined with an item such as a Garden Water Pump suddenly makes a completely different angle to the idea of a Garden Stone Trough.
Here we have a clasic water pump, sitting behind a stone trough. The idea of these two items combined makes perfect sense. You can use your water pump as intended, and the trough as a receptacle. In this way, you catch any water that is spilt, plus the trough acts as a very attractive water butt (a far cry from a plastic barrel).
You can also combine the trough with other items decorative items such as urns, adorning either side.

So, whichever way you want to use your trough, dont limit yourself to using it just as a planter, there are many other attractive or functional uses for the Stone Garden Trough.