What Should You Put In Your Planter?

The summer weather and the best of the autumn weather may have left us for another year but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your garden. By filling your wooden planter with hardy plants you can have year round colour and foliage.

All you need is a little know-how, several bags of multi-purpose compost and a good quality, solid wood planter.

Why Choose Our Wooden Planters?

To keep your display looking good and trouble-free you need to firstly consider what type of planter to use. There are plenty of cheap planters on the market but these are usually made from inferior wood which rots quickly or plastic which soon discolours and splits. Our wooden planters are not only attractive but they are made in the UK from solid wood which is treated against rot and made to last for many years.

What Should You Put In Your Planter?

Whether you prefer low maintenance shrubs or flowers there is a huge choice of planting options for your wooden planter.

Shrubs

You can get shrubs which range in height from 6-8” up to 6-8 ft and with varying amounts of spread so choose carefully so that one shrub doesn’t take over. Choisya Ternata for example bears pink and white blossom twice a year and looks lovely in a planter but will grow up to 12ft. Evergreen shrubs will provide year round colour and there are plenty which flower at different times of the year so that it’s possible to have flowers in every season.

Small spring flowerers include Berberis Stenophylla, Ceanothus Thyrsiflorus, Daphne Odora, Skimmia Japonica and Vinca Minor (periwinkle).

In summer the Hebes, Lavenders and Santolinas provide colour in the flowers as well as the foliage.Autumn brings Abelias and Viburnums into flower while a dwarf Cotoneaster provides welcome berries for Blackbirds.

Winter is when the Mahonia Aquifolium, at 2ft tall, comes into its own with sweet smelling yellow flowers. For foliage colour try the Euonymus genus.

Flowers

If you prefer to have flowers in your planter then start by planting a variety of bulbs such as Snowdrops, Crocus, Narcissi (Daffodils), Tulips, Alliums, Oriental Tree Lilies, Crocosmia and Anemones. These will provide colour from January through to July and beyond in some cases.

For summer and autumn flowers Echinaceas, Asters, Dahlias and Verbena bonariensis all provide dramatic colour and varying height. Plant plenty of summer and autumn bedding flowers in between for instant impact. Winter flowering options could include sweet-smelling Winter Jasmine or the equally fragrant Chimonanthus (wintersweet). Winter flowering pansies and Cyclamen are reliable and hardy.

Small Trees

There are a few small trees which can brighten up the seasons and which are suitable for planters. The Japanese Maples, or Acers always look spectacular but be sure to choose one which can withstand our winter weather. Olive trees or Bay trees make a dramatic impression especially in an attractive solid wood planter. Underplant with seasonal bedding and heathers for maximum impact.

The choice for a year round display is endless and with careful planting and maintenance your planter will look lovely all year.