Garden Structures – Wishing Well

Wishing Well history

The idea that a wish would be granted if one prayed near water developed from the idea that water contained deities: mermaids and naiads were water nymphs who could grant prayers in Greek mythology for example, and also because water was a scarce resource that could mean the difference between life and death in a bad year, for people and livestock as well as crops.

Water was therefore believed to have healing powers and wells became popular with many people drinking, bathing or just simply wishing over them. Christians believed certain waters, like Lourdes, or holy water blessed in certain shrines, would cure illnesses – it was only a short step from buying holy water at shrines to uttering a wish, then dropping coins in a well. The tradition of dropping pennies in ponds and fountains originates in this belief.

Wishing well planters make a great addition to any vintage garden design plans. There are many sizes and styles available, whether you are seeking a small ornamental style wishing well with a container, or a large planter complete with water feature, planter boxes, and benches attached, you will find there are a multitude of designs available.

Creating Your Own Wishing Well

Wooden planters in the shape of wishing wells are available as lawn ornaments from many garden centres, or the internet holds dozens of free plans for you to build your own. Some wishing wells are only designed to hold plants, others to hold water, and if you’re smart, you can have the best of both worlds! Simply split the container of your wishing well and have one section planted with flowers and trailing plants, with the other section holding a small - self-contained - water feature.

Although we tend to think of a wishing well planter as being wooden - metal planters are also available. A metal planter made of galvanized steel can add a contemporary twist to the classic wishing well look, while a cast iron version gives a vintage feel. You can also build wishing wells from stones or bricks, mortared together, but remember to line them with a proper liner or you will find they soon begin to leak if you want to have a water feature in them.

Garden wishing well photograph by Greywulf, used under a creative commons attribution licence.

 

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