3. SO MANY PLANTERS TO CHOOSE FROM!

The rise in popularity of planters and planter gardening reflects how our lifestyles have changed. Downsizing to a smaller home or enjoying an urban lifestyle means living in more compact spaces. Planters are the answer for many small space dwellers. Instead of in-the-ground gardens, we choose to be surrounded with planters of all sizes on small patios, decks, and porches. We can change out the seasonal display easily and move plants around, and we can remain standing (or sitting) while tending to our flowers. Planter gardening is also a great introduction to growing all kinds of plants. People who don’t think of themselves as gardeners often change their mind as they become enamored with the planting combinations they create in a simple planter or container.

Neutral colors, a rounded shape, and a lightweight, resin-based material makes this planter a popular item! Its muted, natural appearance works well with any style. Best of all, it can remain outside all winter. Use a 14-inch diameter, or larger, for the best displays. Large containers also require less frequent watering.

Years back, the available planter styles were limited. Today, the variety of plant containers is tremendous, thanks to global trade and advances in manufacturing. Of course, too much choice makes it hard to pick out just one planter. Your preferences for style, cost, weight, and maintenance should be your ultimate guide. You can choose stylish, modern pots featuring geometric shapes; classic urns; casual cottage-style planters; and many others. If you want your house and landscape to have a cohesive look, choose a style that matches your decor. Or you can add several modern planters to update your surroundings and give it a trendy feel. Mix and match is totally allowed, which is another reason why gardening in planters is so fun.

My suggestion is to consider weight and winter durability, first. Planters, especially those on the larger size, can become quite heavy once filled with soil and plants. If your planter is destined for a 10th-floor balcony, or if you have to lug the planter up some steps, heavy pots will present you with a challenge. Likewise, if your pots cannot withstand subfreezing temperatures, then you will have to empty them out and store them somewhere. If that is your situation, I suggest you consider using durable lightweight planters made from a resin-based material that can stay in place outside through the winter. They come in all sizes and styles. They may be more costly, but the convenience is worth it in the long run.

A friend and client of mine, Danielle, loves to grow flowers in pots. She mixes colors and textures beautifully. Her display of planters adds height and interest and extends her lovely garden onto her terrace. An avid container gardener changes the flower display every season.

A classic cast-stone urn such as this one is beautiful even if it is empty! Here it is placed in a garden bed surrounded by white sweet alyssum. Make certain the planter has a drainage hole to let rainwater out.

Want to jazz up your patio? These ceramic planters have an artful, abstract-glazed finish and are constructed from weather-resistant material. They tolerate bright UV sun rays well.

Terracotta planters are made from terracotta clay that’s been fired at a high temperature. In fact, the word terracotta comes from the Italian words for “baked earth.” Some top-quality terracotta planters are frost proof but don’t assume that—ask the vendor to be sure.

Vintage pots in popular earthy textures and tones make quite a statement in the landscape. These are at Inner Gardens in Los Angeles. It is well worth a visit for any planter lover.

The striped foliage of large-leaved canna lilies set the tropical tone for a pool area. Canna lilies are known for their striking foliage; they come in a wide range of colors and patterns. The dark pink petunias, an annual, are a nice contrast to the cannas, and light green sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) spills over exuberantly.

Large canna leaves in the middle of a planter can act as an umbrella and prevent light rain from reaching the soil below. The water lands on the large leaves and sheds right off. When you are watering, make sure you apply water beneath the leaves. Also, wait to see water seeping out from the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot to be sure you applied enough. Here, the luxuriant and resilient blooms of the annual flower ‘Homestead Purple’ Verbena (Verbena canadensis ‘Homestead Purple’) fall over the sides of the planter. ‘Homestead Purple’ Verbena is a vigorous, low-growing plant that spreads out easily in a single growing season.

The extra-large, beautiful leaves of the bird of paradise plant (Strelitzia reginae) are unmistakable. Its orange and blue blooms (not shown) look like the head of an exotic crested bird, thus its common name. It lends a tropical feeling to any setting. If the pot is big enough, bird of paradise can grow to 5 feet tall. It grows in bright sunlight. In shade, the foliage is healthy but blooming decreases. Zones 9–11. Here, the red pendant flowers of begonia ‘Bonfire’ (Begonia boliviensis ‘Bonfire’) dangle delicately over the edge of the planter.

Tropical hibiscus flowers (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) make great summer accents in pots. They need full sun to thrive. The bold, plate-shaped flowers come in shades of red, pink, yellow, orange, purple, and white. Tropical hibiscus are summer-blooming plants that grow well in containers. Beautiful for patios, decks, and balconies. Go with dwarf hibiscus for planters, which grow 2–4 feet tall. Standard varieties typically grow up to 5 feet tall.