Need help with toilet planting

[GoodBuyGirl]

We just replaced our toilet and I plan on using the old one as a planter in the back yard.
Problem is the area where I want to put it is rather shady and I am not sure what to plant.
If anyone else might be a redneck could help with some shade loving plants I would love to hear some feedback.

[zakity]

Hostas like shade. So do violets and ferns.

[simpleyme]

how come ya puttin it in the backyard?

[Russell]

I'd post the picture here but I couldn't bring myself to do it so look for it yourself by typing in "redneck toilet seat" at Google Image Search

[simpleyme]

I have really good luck with succulents they come in many shapes and colors I put them in the shade and in the sun they grow everywhere the easiest is called "Donkey tail " it grows real nice and fat in the shade and would drape nicely over the edge of the planter and looks great

I have seen the toilet thing done as well as tires, I am not a fan;-) LOL

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I guess you've got a healthy sense of humor!

Now, I think you have more problem than just shade. Won't you have a bit of a drainage problem, unless the toilet is cracked at the curved part of the drain or near the bottom of the bowl? The toilet always holds water due to the water "seeking its own level" between the bowl and the drain curve. That means you could have some very soggy soil in your toilet . If it gets a lot of rain or if the toilet gets water from sprinklers, it could kill plants that root as deeply as the water level.

So, to follow a real theme, perhaps you could make a miniature pond or swamp garden---all nice and wet! There is a miniature papyrus that is really cool and some wiry, outer-space looking cotton sedges that would knock your socks off. Visit a store that specializes in ponds and ask about "marginals." Marginals are plants that grow in the sometimes dry, sometimes soupy-wet edges of ponds. They'd be great for a toilet with no drainage.

[GoodBuyGirl]

Thanks for all the input.
The whole idea has my DH wanting to hide under a rock. So I'll probably save the tank for planting and get rid of the bowl when they do city clean up.