Which Planters Will Look Best in My Garden?
Check out these ideas from British gardens to help you choose the perfect containers for your plants
Kate Burt
16 August 2020
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More
There’s a huge range of planters available for your garden, from crisp and modern to rustic or antiqued, but which will work best in your space? Take a look at these UK-based designers’ ideas and see if any inspire your choice.
Arrange an eclectic selection
A mix of different-sized containers in a range of styles works well in this informal courtyard in London, UK, designed by Red Squirrel Architects. Informal is the key word here – the more relaxed you want your space to look, the more you’ll want to vary your pots.
The joy of a scattering of planters like this is that you can move them around. Sage plant drying up? Simply shift it to a shadier spot. Snails using a wall for access to your hostas? Inch it forwards. You’ll also be able to undo the changes if you ever get bored. And, as you can see in this garden, smaller pots can still have an impact – just vary the heights for interest.
A mix of different-sized containers in a range of styles works well in this informal courtyard in London, UK, designed by Red Squirrel Architects. Informal is the key word here – the more relaxed you want your space to look, the more you’ll want to vary your pots.
The joy of a scattering of planters like this is that you can move them around. Sage plant drying up? Simply shift it to a shadier spot. Snails using a wall for access to your hostas? Inch it forwards. You’ll also be able to undo the changes if you ever get bored. And, as you can see in this garden, smaller pots can still have an impact – just vary the heights for interest.
Form a matching line
For a formal space, it’s all about matching your containers and creating an ordered display. These large square containers are defiantly contemporary too, and the clipped balls of foliage in each are formal to a tee.
What works beautifully, though, is the juxtaposition between the smooth boxes and the uneven old wall behind them. So do consider all options – contrast is often what makes a design sing.
Dreaming of a revitalised outdoor space? Find a landscape architect or designer near you on Houzz to make it a reality
For a formal space, it’s all about matching your containers and creating an ordered display. These large square containers are defiantly contemporary too, and the clipped balls of foliage in each are formal to a tee.
What works beautifully, though, is the juxtaposition between the smooth boxes and the uneven old wall behind them. So do consider all options – contrast is often what makes a design sing.
Dreaming of a revitalised outdoor space? Find a landscape architect or designer near you on Houzz to make it a reality
Recycle and reuse
This is a clever idea for small plants – and small patios – in the garden of UK-based interiors photographer Veronica Rodriguez. It’s a deconstructed pallet, and it holds plenty of plants without taking up much floorspace.
Veronica explains how she made it: “We used extra wooden slats from another old pallet to create a bottom part to each planting shelf, so you can put soil in it. Then we screwed it to the fence panel to hold it in place.”
For maximum impact, you could get a carpenter to make you a number of these timber vertical planters and use them to line an empty wall, then plant spring bulbs and annuals in the sections to liven up a blank space.
If you want to use an old pallet to grow edibles, a note on safety: choose one whose origin you can trace. If it’s been carrying food, for example, there could have been spillages, which might lead to mould.
Equally, if the wood is splitting or flaking, this indicates rot, and the pallet should not be used. Most important of all, check the pallet for an HT stamp to confirm it’s been heat-treated (rather than treated with toxic chemicals). If there’s no stamp, don’t use it.
This is a clever idea for small plants – and small patios – in the garden of UK-based interiors photographer Veronica Rodriguez. It’s a deconstructed pallet, and it holds plenty of plants without taking up much floorspace.
Veronica explains how she made it: “We used extra wooden slats from another old pallet to create a bottom part to each planting shelf, so you can put soil in it. Then we screwed it to the fence panel to hold it in place.”
For maximum impact, you could get a carpenter to make you a number of these timber vertical planters and use them to line an empty wall, then plant spring bulbs and annuals in the sections to liven up a blank space.
If you want to use an old pallet to grow edibles, a note on safety: choose one whose origin you can trace. If it’s been carrying food, for example, there could have been spillages, which might lead to mould.
Equally, if the wood is splitting or flaking, this indicates rot, and the pallet should not be used. Most important of all, check the pallet for an HT stamp to confirm it’s been heat-treated (rather than treated with toxic chemicals). If there’s no stamp, don’t use it.
Consider your colour palette
For a semi-formal solution, keep to a palette of similar tones, not only taking planters into account, but other materials nearby, such as paving, walls, gravel and so on.
This built-in planter and the freestanding pots next to it are in a London garden designed by Tom Howard Garden Design & Landscaping. As they’re close to the house, they’re fairly low to the ground, so as not to obscure the view of the rest of the garden. Bear this in mind when choosing planters for a patio, so you don’t block sightlines across your green patch.
For a semi-formal solution, keep to a palette of similar tones, not only taking planters into account, but other materials nearby, such as paving, walls, gravel and so on.
This built-in planter and the freestanding pots next to it are in a London garden designed by Tom Howard Garden Design & Landscaping. As they’re close to the house, they’re fairly low to the ground, so as not to obscure the view of the rest of the garden. Bear this in mind when choosing planters for a patio, so you don’t block sightlines across your green patch.
Get in zinc
Zinc is a material that develops a pleasingly aged patina, making it a great option for period properties.
In this London courtyard, designed by Imperfect Interiors, ribbed zinc tub pots complement the characterful space.
Zinc is a material that develops a pleasingly aged patina, making it a great option for period properties.
In this London courtyard, designed by Imperfect Interiors, ribbed zinc tub pots complement the characterful space.
Play with scale
In this London garden designed by Stefano Marinaz Landscape Architecture, high walls and low seating are visually balanced by a row of tall planters, placed almost as a backdrop for one of the sofas. This is partly why, even though the space is small, these oversize pots look right.
In this sophisticated, contemporary design, the muted palette of materials also makes for a calming choice. Picture the garden with those tall planters in bright white or a zingy hue: the gentle mood, enhanced by the dappled shade, would be interrupted.
In this London garden designed by Stefano Marinaz Landscape Architecture, high walls and low seating are visually balanced by a row of tall planters, placed almost as a backdrop for one of the sofas. This is partly why, even though the space is small, these oversize pots look right.
In this sophisticated, contemporary design, the muted palette of materials also makes for a calming choice. Picture the garden with those tall planters in bright white or a zingy hue: the gentle mood, enhanced by the dappled shade, would be interrupted.
Ramp up rustic credentials
A trough-style planter works well in a rustic setting, conjuring up, as it does, the idea of farm animals at feeding time.
These wooden designs, by Harrod Horticultural, function like raised beds, so would also be a good space-saving way to grow suitable fruit and vegetables or herbs outside the kitchen door, as well as looking wonderful – as here – with flowers spilling out of them.
A trough-style planter works well in a rustic setting, conjuring up, as it does, the idea of farm animals at feeding time.
These wooden designs, by Harrod Horticultural, function like raised beds, so would also be a good space-saving way to grow suitable fruit and vegetables or herbs outside the kitchen door, as well as looking wonderful – as here – with flowers spilling out of them.
Go classical
A mature garden attached to a house full of antiques is a welcoming home for stone planters that resemble classical vases or urns.
Here, Belderbos Landscapes has placed a pair symmetrically to mark the entrance to another section of this lovely large garden. The symmetry works to anchor the space, as the planting in the rest of the garden is largely asymmetrical.
A mature garden attached to a house full of antiques is a welcoming home for stone planters that resemble classical vases or urns.
Here, Belderbos Landscapes has placed a pair symmetrically to mark the entrance to another section of this lovely large garden. The symmetry works to anchor the space, as the planting in the rest of the garden is largely asymmetrical.
Mix tropical with urban
Jungly foliage, with its structured shapes and large leaves, is often seen in contemporary, urban gardens on Houzz. As such, it lends itself well to angular modern containers.
The contemporary, black rendered planter in this London space, designed by Abigail’s Gardens, is perfect for showing off – and making a statement with – the lush foliage.
Your turn
Do any of these planters inspire your garden plans? Let us know your favourites in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Keen for more home improvements? Read up on 6 Ways to Maximise Dull Corners and Overlooked Spots in Your Home
Jungly foliage, with its structured shapes and large leaves, is often seen in contemporary, urban gardens on Houzz. As such, it lends itself well to angular modern containers.
The contemporary, black rendered planter in this London space, designed by Abigail’s Gardens, is perfect for showing off – and making a statement with – the lush foliage.
Your turn
Do any of these planters inspire your garden plans? Let us know your favourites in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Keen for more home improvements? Read up on 6 Ways to Maximise Dull Corners and Overlooked Spots in Your Home
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Left pic: wooden boxes rotting and destroyed after the dogs got hold of them, right pic: back right of pic recycled plastic boxes, made to resemble wood, very strong, won’t rust or rot, walls are 50mm thick, so dogs can’t destroy them. Best thing we ever did, and our veggies are off the ground, can catch the snails before they get in.
Is "ribbed zinc tub pots" just a euphemism for trash cans?? Haha, they look great though!
I like the sink containers very much. They are great for plants whose roots would tolerate higher temperatures or they should be positioned under draped shade. Then even hostas and hydrangea will thrive in them