Linda Anderson

What was called 'Poor Man's Stained Glass' has become garden art worthy of even the Chelsea Flower Show. Bottle trees have been part of many cultures and date back almost two thousand years. Folklore had it that roaming night spirits would be lured into and trapped inside the bottles, particularly blue bottles. People started using glass bottle trees to capture or repel bad spirits, and when the New World was settled, the tradition was adopted in the South.

These days a bottle tree also makes a welcoming display on special occasions or are kept in the garden year-round as sparkling, unique statuary. Alternately, a bottle tree can be used as a bird and squirrel feeder by adorning it with corn on the cob, apples or gourds. Our tall iron bottle tree measures 72" tall and includes fifteen 5 1/2" 'branches' for holding bottles or treats.