Watering: Water butts

Saving water by collecting and storing it is good for the environment and good for your plants. Water butts can be large and bulky, so they're not easy to conceal, but there are a number on the market which stand out for their style and innovative designs, making them more of a feature than an eyesore. And some are designed to look like something else entirely...

Polybutt from B&Q

Stands at 98cm (3ft 3in) high without the optional stand, and 133cm (4ft 5in) with it. The tank holds 220 litres of water. Comes in terracotta, oak, pine, green or black.
£69.99 from B&Q.

Oak Whiskey Barrel Butt from Crocus

Oak Whiskey Barrel Butt

Measures approximately 90 x 200 x 60cm (3ft x 6ft 8in x 2ft). Holds 181 litres. There's a choice of cockerel-, bird- or frog-shaped brass tap.
£120 from Crocus.

Giant Water Column from Evengreener

Giant Water Column

For water storage with a neoclassical look. Holds 300 litres and measures 59cm (23in) across by 159cm (62½in) high. Comes in a sand or beige finish.
£220 from Evengreener.

Rain Water Tank from Gardena

Rain Water Tank

A generous 400-litre capacity, 80cm- (31½in-) diameter tank. It comes supplied flat-packed, ready for self assembly.
£129.99 including lid from Gardena.

Boulder Water Butt from Greenfingers

Boulder Water Butt

Holds 300 litres and measures 50 x 82 x 105cm (20 x 32 x 41in). Wishing-well, rock and tree-stump designs are also available.
£139 from Greenfingers.

Green Wall Water Tank from Greenfingers

Green Wall Water Tank 6501 with Filter Collector

Holds 650 litres and comes in black, grey, green or sandstone. The jumbo design measures 80 x 50 x 175cm (31½ x 20 x 69in), but fits neatly against a wall. A rainwater collector filters the water too – when purchased together, you save £25.
£349 from Greenfingers.

60-Litre Green Water Butt from Harrod Horticultural

60-Litre Green Water Butt

Specially designed to collect and store falling rainwater. Measures 50 x 33cm (20 x 13in)
£69.95 from Harrod Horticultural.

Prestige Wall Mounted Butt from Original Organics

Prestige Wall Mounted Butt

Another space-saving model, measuring 122 x 46 x 23cm (48 x 18 x 9in) and with a 100-litre capacity.
£99.95 from Original Organics.

Beehive Water Butt from Sankey

Beehive Water Butt

Available in a choice of terracina or moss green, this model holds 150 litres and measures 80cm (31½in) high by 46cm (18in) diameter.
£59.99 from Sankey.