Whenever I'm advising people on how to bring more plants into their garden my first question is always: have you thought about garden planter ideas? When it comes to adding instant impact and upping the foliage and flower interest in your garden there's no competition.
Unlike growing in beds and borders, you have greater control over the soil conditions in pots, meaning that you don't have to make plant choices based on pH or poor soil conditions. And due to the popularity of container gardening, plant nurseries have developed pot-friendly species for almost every plant variety you can imagine, meaning the choice is vast.
Containers are a 'moveable feast' – another nugget I always offer up when giving garden advice, containers can be used to zone your garden landscaping, plants can be swapped in and out when seasons change, and you can build up your arrangement by adding more planters as and when.
10 garden planters ideas to give your outdoors a boost
The success of your low-maintenance garden planter ideas depends on ensuring that you choose the right sized pot to house the eventual height and spread of your plant, so check plant labels.
If growing multiple species in the same pot, select those that favour similar growing conditions, such as plants for sun or shade plants. A multipurpose compost is often sufficient for most plant varieties but some plants will benefit from being enriched with organic matter.
Most importantly, garden planters must have drainage holes so moisture can escape, otherwise, you'll almost certainly experience root rot. Pot-grown plants can't draw moisture up from the soil, so consider garden irrigation if you are someone who often forgets to water.
1. Match your containers with your seating
"Planters are an easy way to add flowers and foliage to your garden design and bring height to a flat garden. So, they’re ideal for perking up patios, decks and lawns. Tall planters with shrubs and grasses work well to add privacy to seating areas," says Fiona Jenkins, garden expert at My Job Quote.
When it comes to style, choosing containers which suit your surroundings is key. A modern garden design will benefit from smooth geometric shapes in neutral colours, whilst more cottage styles will favour terracotta, wood or stone.
Some products such as elho vivo next pots available at Amazon, come on invisible wheels and have an integrated water reservoir to make garden planters even more low maintenance.
A landscaper and gardening expert with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Currently she works for MyJobQuote as their resident expert on all things gardening.
2. Attach a wall planter for vertical interest
For small gardens utilising vertical spaces can be a clever technique for refreshing a tired wall without taking up valuable real estate.
“By bringing your walls to life with pots of pretty plants, you can take a boring and dull small space, and turn it into a thriving and lively oasis," says Patty Willems, plant expert at Elho.
“There are many ways to get growing vertically – pallets and old tin cans make for a rustic and thrifty look, or you can find many space-saving solutions in the garden centre."
3. Choose ornate metal planters for traditional gardens
"Perfect for topiary, roses, shrubs or small trees, heavy-duty garden planter ideas look stunning next to front doors, on a terrace or in a herbaceous border," says Tim Dawson founder of artisanal planter company Arthur Jack & Co.
"Mixing plant types in one planter can create a visually appealing contrast. Combine tall plants like grasses or bamboo with trailing vines for a dynamic look. Bright colours can be achieved with colourful annuals such as petunias or geraniums."
"Smaller filler plants like alyssum or calibrachoa complement the main attractions. Choose varieties with delicate leaves for a softer touch. Evergreen foliage plants such as box shrubs maintain year-round interest," adds Arthur.
Traditional Steel Planter at Arthur Jack & Co(Image credit: Arthur Jack & Co)
4. Group sets of planters together for impact
Grouping sets of planters together can add wow factor. Matching pots in sets of three are ideal for a balanced and cohesive arrangement, creating a mini-garden in themselves.
Products like these will help transform your space into an absolute haven of colour. "Simply plant with your favourite bulb varieties and later, a delightful show of summer bedding," suggests Katie Murphy at Zest Outdoor Living
"Timber planters are very popular as the natural material blends well with flowers and shrubs. But they can also be painted in different colours, so you can change their look very easily. Timber planters are fairly durable but you do need to keep them protected to prevent them from rotting," adds Fiona Jenkins.
Planters themselves can have as much ornamental value as the plants within them and bare areas of the garden can be bolstered by one or two sculptural containers.
"Large planters can make bold statements in your garden by using oversized pots as backdrops to seating areas or balancing high walls," says Victoria Cummins, a Senior Editor at PlantWhisperer.
"Planters are incredibly versatile; they can add seasonal colour to your garden or create focal points. You can use them to define spaces by placing large planters as boundaries or focal points," she adds.
(Image credit: Jacky Hobbs)
6. Use them for growing edibles
“Whether you want a garden awash with colourful blooms or want to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle by growing your own vegetables and herbs, containers can be a great way to achieve this," says Jenny Davis, Forest Garden’s Head of Marketing,
If growing fruit and veg it's best to opt for larger, deeper planters as opposed to shallower ones which are better suited to growing bedding plants. "Grow salad crops in a patio planter if you have at least 15cm of depth. Carrots and spring onions grow well together and do well in planters at least 30cm deep with good drainage," says Stephanie Harrod, founder of Harrod Horticultural.
"You'll be surprised how many delicious vegetables you can cram into a small space and an attractive vegetable garden planter can transform a barren patio. Salad such as lettuce, spinach or radishes could be the perfect option for your small planters, not forgetting herbs which can also give a decorative touch," says Stephanie.
Stephanie Harrod
Stephanie is a keen gardener with a vision to transform outdoor spaces into havens of beauty and functionality. Combining her love for nature with innovative design. Harrod stock a large range of raised beds to suit all garden needs.
"If you’re not a confident DIYer, there are plenty of items you can repurpose as garden planter ideas," suggests Fiona Jenkins.
"As well as barrels, old drawers are great budget garden ideas for upcycling into planters. To raise the height, you could add a set of furniture legs to the bottom. You can buy these online or from DIY stores. It’s best to give repurposed wooden planters a bit of protection, so they can withstand the damp conditions outside."
"A light sand and a few coats of fence paint should do the trick. You’ll need to drill a few holes in the base for drainage and lining with landscaping fabric will boost the durability and help to retain the moisture in your compost," says Fiona.
Upcycled barrels and tubs can be used to create bespoke garden platers(Image credit: Jacky Hobbs)
8. Choose a raised trough for winter planting
"Wood that has been dipped and treated is a practical and pleasing addition to your garden when it comes to autumn and winter planting. Even better if the container is a trough-style one on legs to lift your plants away from freezing or waterlogged soil to protect the roots. Smart grey goes with everything and is a look that doesn't date," says garden writer Sarah Wilson.
"Choose a style that's compact and lightweight so you can move it around easily if you need to. If you're planning on growing your own crops all year round, a trough is perfect for winter veg, and it will look equally good planted up with shrubs or winter flowers such as a mix of claret, pink and blush hellebores," says Sarah.
Container from Garden Trading, planted up with pretty hellebores(Image credit: Garden Trading)
9. Choose the best plants for a bright display
"What’s best for your planter really depends on its size. Large, deep planters can accommodate trees, shrubs and edibles while smaller planters are better for perennial and bedding plants," says Fiona Jenkins.
"If you want year-round colour in your planters, it’s best to go for vibrant evergreen shrubs like Coprosma repens 'Pacific Dawn' and Pieris 'Forest Flame'. Architectural plants such as Phormium 'Sundowner', Cordyline Pink Passion and Agapanthus Black Jack are great for adding height and screening patios. If you want to brighten a large summer planter for your patio planting, hydrangeas and fuchsias are good options," says Fiona.
Tall agapanthus can be underplanted with grasses and trailing ivy(Image credit: Future)
10. Go for gold with metallic pots and striking grass
Ornamental grasses will add movement to your garden planter ideas. These elegant plants have arching plumes that can be really appreciated when displayed in containers.
'Tactile, verdant and bringing movement and late season interest to planting schemes, ornamental grasses are a must for any garden,' says garden designer Stuart Wallace of landscape designers Bowles & Wyer.
There are plenty of types of ornamental grass that work brilliantly in containers, but colorful burgundy red fountain grass (Pennisetum 'Rubrum') is a natural choice, filling the pot with its fountain-like foliage. From midsummer to autumn, the striking purple flowers create an architectural display.
“Coreopsis lanceolata ‘Mango Punch’ is a fabulous container plant. It’s a compact, hugely floriferous perennial with a soft, peach-orange hue that will bloom all summer. Combine it with the marvellous Dahlia, 'Totally Tangerine' available at Sarah Raven in a container to create a stunning look," suggests plant expert Sarah Raven.
“Pelargoniums make wonderful container plants, particularly when arranged in a colourful group on the patio. Combining the bright and abundant flowers creates a magnificent Mediterranean garden look. You can also pick the foliage for long-lasting flower arrangements, which will evoke the most glorious scent."
“Viola cornuta 'Teardrops Apricot Purple Wing' will grow in containers for much of winter and spring. The variety of colours and hugely productive edible flowers have the most delicious perfume,” says Sarah.
Using planters to enhance your patio is a great starting point. Remember that you can also grow climbing fence plants in pots if they're given adequate plant supports or have a trellis attached.
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Teresa was part of a team that launched Easy Gardens in 2018 and worked as the Editor on this magazine. She has extensive experience writing and editing content on gardens and landscaping on brands such as Homes & Gardens, Country Homes & Interiors and Living Etc magazine. She has developed close working relationships with top landscape architects and leading industry experts, and has been exposed to an array of rich content and expertise.
In 2020 Teresa bought her first home. She and her partner worked alongside architects and builders to transform the downstairs area of her two bedroom Victorian house in north London into a usable space for her family. Along the way she learned the stresses, woes and joys of home renovation, and is now looking to her next project, landscaping the back garden.
