On a sunny afternoon the Sailboat sundial birdbath does two jobs at once. The sail stands up from the center of the circular basin and throws a shadow across the Roman numerals on the rim, so you can read the hour while the birds drink. It’s a natural fit for a lake house, a coastal garden or anyone who grew up around boats.

The casting and how it holds up

The Sailboat sundial birdbath is cast from recycled aluminum in the USA, so it won’t rust, and it isn’t heavy to lift when you need to empty or move it. The sail itself is finely detailed, as the photo shows. A protective all-weather coating seals the finish, and that finish carries a five-year warranty.

Sailboat sundial birdbath finishes

Copper Verdi gives the look of weathered copper, with green in the recesses. Oil Rubbed Bronze is the darkest of the three and makes the sail read as a silhouette. French Bronze is a warm, traditional bronze tone. Because the dial depends on shadow, any of the three works; pick the one that matches your other garden metal.

Placing it so the dial reads true

A sundial needs open sky from mid-morning to late afternoon. Set the Sailboat sundial birdbath where no roofline or tree will shade it, then turn it until the shadow lands on XII at local noon. For example, a spot at the edge of a patio or on a low garden wall usually works. Keep the basin filled in warm weather, and empty it before the first hard freeze.

If you’d rather feed birds than water them, the bird feeders are listed separately. For more cast pieces for the yard, browse the Garden Collection.