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Container Gardens
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Pick the Right Plant Pot to Flatter Your Landscape
To play matchmaker for your container garden and its surroundings, you've got to know all the materials and pick the right style
Houzz Contributor. I'm a full-time mom and part-time gardener in St. Louis, MO. After a 20-year career in marketing communications, I decided to follow my passion and went through the Master Gardening program through the Missouri Botanical Garden. Two years ago I started my own container gardening business at Contained Beauty (http://www.facebook.com/containedbeauty) and haven't looked back!
Houzz Contributor. I'm a full-time mom and part-time gardener in St. Louis,... More »
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When it comes to container gardens, your first thought is typically about what you'll be planting. The vessel to contain your plants is often an afterthought. But with a little attention to the type of container you use, you can ensure that your creation is suitable for your surroundings.
When choosing the best container for your situation, consider the overall style of your environment. Is it traditional? Modern? Mediterranean? Knowing this will help guide you through the wide variety of container styles and materials. The following gallery should provide inspiration for a variety of surroundings.
When choosing the best container for your situation, consider the overall style of your environment. Is it traditional? Modern? Mediterranean? Knowing this will help guide you through the wide variety of container styles and materials. The following gallery should provide inspiration for a variety of surroundings.
| Terra-cotta Terra-cotta pots are classic and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Terra-cotta's subtle color works well with all flower and foliage hues and looks natural in a garden setting. Something to consider when the seasons change: If you live in an area where temperatures go below freezing, you’ll want to empty or bring terra-cotta pots inside to avoid cracking. |
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| These terra-cotta wall planters give an old-world vibe that's perfect for an Italian-inspired landscape. Because unglazed terra-cotta dries out more quickly than other materials, be sure to choose plants that prefer their soil on the dry side. |
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| Cast Iron or Wrought Iron These containers first became popular in the Victorian era. They are most often seen in the classic urn style, such as here, which fits well in a formal setting. While all iron containers are very heavy, the fact that they're durable year-round means you will rarely need to move them. |
by Bright Green
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Ceramic
Glazed ceramic pots come in a wide range of colors, complementing their surroundings or providing color when needed. You’ll need to be gentle with them, however, as they can easily crack; they need to be brought indoors in winter.
Glazed ceramic pots come in a wide range of colors, complementing their surroundings or providing color when needed. You’ll need to be gentle with them, however, as they can easily crack; they need to be brought indoors in winter.
by Plow & Hearth
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Plastic
Plastic pots have come a long way in recent years and can take on the look of terra-cotta or wood, like in this photo. Often you don't realize a container is plastic until you touch it. It's flexible enough to expand and retract through freezes and thaws, making it appropriate for year-round use.
Plastic pots have come a long way in recent years and can take on the look of terra-cotta or wood, like in this photo. Often you don't realize a container is plastic until you touch it. It's flexible enough to expand and retract through freezes and thaws, making it appropriate for year-round use.
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Fiberglass
More expensive than plastic, fiberglass is a highly versatile man-made material that can be molded into practically any shape or form. Here, it takes on the appearance of glazed ceramic. But unlike its more delicate twin, fiberglass is very durable and can be left outside year-round.
More expensive than plastic, fiberglass is a highly versatile man-made material that can be molded into practically any shape or form. Here, it takes on the appearance of glazed ceramic. But unlike its more delicate twin, fiberglass is very durable and can be left outside year-round.
by Williams-Sonoma
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Here, a fiberglass container has the appearance of stone. But because fiberglass is very lightweight, it's much easier to move around.
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by Diego Bortolato
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| Wood Wood containers have a more informal feel and are suited for rustic or casual settings. When treated to withstand the elements, wood containers can last for years. |
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by Avant Garden
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| Metal Metal containers are modern looking and can give an industrial edge. The sleek metal cubes in this photo create definition in the outdoor space. |
by NATALIE SERDIUK
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Galvanized steel containers are imaginative and edgy, lending a sculptural quality to arrangements. This lightweight material wears well, making it a clever choice for a container garden.
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| Concrete Depending on the finish, concrete can look contemporary or country. In this photo, the clean lines and sparse plantings evoke a minimalist feel. |
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But in this photo, the concrete is left rough and rustic, giving a casual and well-worn appearance. As this material is practically indestructible, you'll have concrete containers around for years and years.
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| Stone Stone is another hard-wearing material for containers. And it too can be finished in a variety of ways. Here it looks sleek and graceful as an outdoor centerpiece. |
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These stone planters look perfectly suited to a traditional setting.
Whether you want your container garden to make a statement or blend seamlessly with its environment, choosing the right material and style will make it your own.
See more garden containers and planters
Tell us: What's your favorite type of garden container?
Whether you want your container garden to make a statement or blend seamlessly with its environment, choosing the right material and style will make it your own.
See more garden containers and planters
Tell us: What's your favorite type of garden container?
Comments
mccutcheon1 Thank you for the right information at the right time! Now I know that the ceramic planters I have been yearning for would never survive.
8 months ago · Like
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peggle My favorite are the Prairie or Frank Lloyd Wright style concrete containers. Small or large they are simple and beautiful. You see a lot of them on Chicago bungalows.
8 months ago · Like
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alitafish As a potter, I completely disagree with your assessment of ceramic. Yes some of the low-fired cheaply made clay pots bought in the big box stores will disintegrate, but so will improperly cured concrete containers and non galvanized, uncoated metals. Pottery fired to a clay body's vitreous point is just as durable as stone of the same thickness. If not, sculpture and exterior tile would never survive. Do not compare a gormet meal to a TV dinner. Cheap is cheap for a reason. Buy your ceramics from a potter.
8 months ago · Like
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Ginkgo Leaf Studio Nice examples of the wide range of planter options out there. We love to match the style of containers with the architecture of the home. In this case an officially licensed reproduction of a Frank Lloyd Wright urn coordinates well with this modern take on a Craftsman-styled home. 
8 months ago · Like
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susanb9 Great article. I loved the huge galvanized containers. How would I make them?
8 months ago · Like
Kim Gamel @susanb9: I'm assuming you mean how to make the arrangement? If so, it is filled with Ti plant, boston ivy and impatiens. This was in an area with little to no sunlight. Hope this helps!
8 months ago · Like
susanb9 Hi Kim: No.....I needed to understand how the planters were constructed and what is the lining around the top! Love those things and wnat to make them.
8 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Sept. 27, 2012.
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