Iron Fireplace Planter

Materials:

potted low-light plants*
clear vinyl plant liners
floral moss
antique iron garden gate or fence section
metal screening
30-gauge wire
needle
metal clothes hanger
large mirror (optional)
grow light (optional)

*Silver Queen, Chinese evergreen, peperomia, Lady Jane, palm, begonia, fern and ivy all work well

Steps:

While not altogether necessary, a large mirror placed inside the fireplace at the back helps in diffusing needed light to keep the plants healthy and creates an optical illusion, making a few plants look like twice as many. If using a mirror, place it inside at the back of the fireplace first.

1. Arrange the plants and the grow light strategically inside the fireplace, creating a decorative balance of plant size and foliage. When placing the plants, put a vinyl liner under each pot to make watering time clean and easy. Wrap floral moss around each pot to camouflage the mechanics of the design. (The grow light is optional but does allow for the use of a larger variety of plants. Reserve a potted ivy plant to sit outside the fireplace and decorate the screen.)
2. To create a screen that can be used year around, cut metal screening to the size of the gate or fencing section and sew it to either side using a needle and 30-gauge wire. Place the screen in front of the fireplace planter. Some fence sections or gates will require welding metal "feet" onto the bottom in order for them to be free standing. (To use this as a functioning wintertime fireplace screen, be certain the gate or fence section matches the dimensions of the fireplace opening and remove all plants.)