What should I plant in the pedestal of this bird bath? Got it on sale at the hardware store last fall.
It will need to withstand the blazing desert heat in full sun this summer.
Thank you for ideas.

Very cool birdbath!

I would try Sempervivums or other small succulents. They'd do well in those little pockets, I should think.

That is really cool and the suggestions fit.

There are drainage holes into the pedestal, right, Mary?

Great idea! Dave. Yes, Ken. Actually the entire base is hollow. I'm thinking fill the entire thing with soil and then plug in the plants. Can't believe no one else bought this! It isn't damaged in any way. It is a nice sized bird bath too. I felt like I really got the buy of the day for $20!!!!

You got a great bargain, Mary.

I will not put sempervivums there just because most will just die in the blazing heat since they are more of alpine succulents..maybe some echeverias or haworthias or sedums may take it. Hopefully the shade from the birdbath will help the plants. If you are going to put water on the birdbath all summer long, that would certainly help cool down the succulents.

We get triple digit dry heat here too, and shade really helps sustain the succulents, but even then, I still suffer some loses along the way just because of the excessive heat.

I love that bird bath, I've never seen one like it and you got it for $20, even better

You can also try Gasteria 'Little Warty', Faucauria tuberculosa, Rebutia muscula - have tried them here and they can take the heat.

for the great input! Will start looking up plants and sources. @tarev yes, we do keep water in the bird bath for birds and neighborhood cats. Occasionally a potted plant finds its way in there also. You are right, that will offer a bit of shade. @Jolana... Can't tell you how excited I was to part with that $20!