Bottle Trees: Whimsical Garden Art That Repels 'Haints'

Bottle trees—dead trees or metal frames adorned with glass bottles—are a Southern folk tradition. They add color, whimsy, and (legend says) trap evil spirits ("haints"). The author uses gutter spikes on a fence post for his bottle tree and shrub. Swapping bottles changes the "flower" color instantly. He credits his bottle tree with a haint-free vegetable garden.

Bottle tree in Buckhead

same tree with pH adjusted to be blue to match hydrangea

Bottle tree flowers

Walter's bottle tree

Walter's bottle shrub

Bottle tree in Lawrenceville