Flagpole Uses

Centerpiece for Plantings

• If the flagpole has a cement or stone base, use the base as a staging area for seasonally appropriate potted plants. A tiered base provides an even more interesting stage. Add a climber to dress up the pole, and connect it to the display. Mount brackets for hanging pots on the flagpole at varying heights.

Support for Plantings

• A single climbing variety can use the pole as a support, but the addition of a few lines to the pole can convert it into a trellis. Connect lines of varying length to a point on the flagpole. Anchor the lines to the ground using a preselected pattern such as a pyramid, triangle or circle radiating from the pole. Plant climbing varieties at the anchor point of each of the lines, and train the growing plants up the lines.

Wildlife Refuge

• Mount horizontal members at alternating positions on the flagpole. Add hooks, and use them to suspend bird feeders and birdhouses to help attract bug-eating avian life to the property. Use birdhouse entry sizes appropriate to the desired species. Lower bars can support dried ears of corn if you'd like to attract squirrels.

Playtime

• Many sports and games require a pole. Depending on the location of the flagpole in relation to existing structures, pick a sport to base around the pole. Use the flagpole to support one end of a badminton or volleyball net, with a conventional pole at the other end. Suspend a tether ball from the flagpole, or mount a basketball goal on the pole. Younger children may enjoy a piñata hung from a horizontal support or a target hung on the pole for magnetic or hook-and-loop dart game.

Decorative Applications

• Add a nautical theme to the landscape by converting a flagpole into a ship's mast. Add a fixed horizontal boom, mast hoops to guide the sail up the pole and a horizontal gaff higher up the pole. Hoist the sail to provide shade to a porch or window when needed.

  Hang seasonal or garden banners from horizontal supports mounted on the flagpole. Heraldic crests, state birds or wildlife or other decorative banners can reinforce a garden theme.

  Place wind chimes on the supports to add melody.