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I'd remove the plants from under the tables - they probably won't get much sun there, and they look like they're in jail. Then, cluster plants in groupings of 3 or 5 or more. Try to vary colors, textures & heights of plants. Your planters are largely the same sizes, so boosting some up on a plant stands/small tables would help.

I'd group three together in the corners or at the ends of the pool, varying heights, as long as they are not in the way of traffic. I wouldn't put the two white stands side-by-side, nor in front of the window. Is there another spot for it? For the space, larger pots with an abundance of colour or greenery are better.

Yes I can move one of them to the side of my house. I;m very left brained so I have a very hard time organizing them. Any planters you would suggest to group together?

It's difficult to advise as you have a lot of planters. First remove all the pots from an area/corner. Then try grouping three together (i.e. the tall blue pot with the largest orange/turquoise pot and a smaller green (?) pot). Stand on the other side of the pool and see if it appeals to you. You might have to lug a lot of pots around before you get a look you like.

Don’t know if you have children but if yes, all those planters seem like trip hazards. Additionally, landscape outside screen provides a green background so don’t see purpose of planters. It would be more interesting to purchase a LARGE container and plant a banana or a hibiscus or any semi-tropical that will grow big.

your beautiful and expensive planters give a cluttered look. Tables too.

possibilities are endless but this would look lively and make a statement

If you love your pots, then use and enjoy them. It looks like you have more space near the house to place them, so it might be best to put them there.

They only look cluttered because they are strung out in a line or scattered here and there. You are quite right to think that arranging them in a couple of groups or clusters will help to look more intended or thought out.

The first issue that creates problems for me is that they are all relatively about the same size and shape. Ideally the best compositions would include pots of similar appearance but in a variety of shapes and sizes.........but you need to work with what you have :-) Pot stands, or changing the elevations of some will be necessary, however.

Rather than lining them up in a row, group them in clusters of 3 or 5 or 7. I'd stage them in the corners as there is more room there and less chance of them to obstruct traffic around the pool. Start with the larger pots first and keep the same colors together (all the blacks, all the patterned, all the buff colored, etc). You want at least two elevations besides ground level, so at least 2 pot stands - one tall, one shorter - for each grouping. And keep the stands very simple. And all the same.

Cluster each grouping into a rough triangle, tall pot stand at back, medium height offset slightly but in front and a ground level pot (s) at the base. Tuck in the smaller pots (now on the shelves of the white planter stands) around the base of these groups. Their pretty uniform shape, color and size will help to unify the various grouped clusters. (put the smaller patterns pot with the blacks or another solid color - not with the cluster of the large patterned pots)

Get rid of or find another place for the white planter stands........they bring in another design element that really doesn't fit with the containers. They look a bit too 'country' :-)

So.....3 or so groupings of large containers with color similarity, staged at different heights and accented with the smaller containers in a contrasting color at ground level. fait accompli!!

I group my plants/pots together based on how much light and how much water they need, so I have various groupings in various places around my house, depending on the sun etc. I also have the ones that need more water closer to the water source. Some of the plants that need weaker light/shade during the day I do have tucked under tables etc. For you this may mean switching around which plants are in which pots, so that you can group the similar pots together.

In the future, pick a color scheme for your pots, and your exterior in general, and stick to it. Landscape designer and blogger Tara Dillard calls this a color trinity, and yes, that means three main colors -- but you do get to choose a subsidiary color or two. So you can have turquoise and/or coral. She explains it in some of her posts:

Garden Design Class: One Pic

Best Color Trinity

No individual pots!! Individual pots will always look cluttered ( unless just one single specimen) and even worse when lined up in a row like soldier. Cluster the pots in groupings as I described above.

You could empty the black pot with what looks like a succulent in it, turn it upside down and use it as a stand for one of the other black pots.

Not sure which size is which of the navy hobnail pots.

PS, I totally understand the appeal of beautiful pots, and they are needed so you can have more plants! Create a separate "utility area" for the white planters--are you growing vegetables in them?

gardengal is right:

Cluster and group, group and cluster : )

And junco is right about using overturned pots as stands. Most of my pots are terracotta, and the crummier looking ones get used as stands.

https://www.gardeners.com/buy/nesting-triple-pot-plant-stand/8586747.html#start=14

https://www.gardeners.com/buy/corner-plant-stand/37-949.html#start=20

https://www.gardeners.com/buy/lattice-corner-plant-stand-3-tier/8596372.html#start=40

Use something like one of these in the corners to group pots. Don't put anything down the long sides. Buy some statues, driftwood, ect. to accent the plants.

you can find pictures by googling pots, clusters of pots, etc. Also, you could buy a six pack of flowers and add them to the pots to add flowers/colors. Try color coordinating the pots and what is in the pots...Maybe you can put the plants that are in the tables in tall pots or put a piece of wood across part of the table to create interest on the tables....Perhaps paint the tables? Move the watering can to the top of the table?

Agreed: cluster planters together to fill a corner or two, with the tallest in the back and shortest in the front. Make a semi circular arrangement. Think about the size of the entire mass, not the number of pots/plants. It could be 3, 4, 5 or whatever it takes, as long as you can easily tend to them.

The edibles in the white planters don't have to have anything on the bottom shelves (tho you could use the shelves to hold a basket of tools, watering cans, or similar), and should be where they'll get at least 6 hours of sun daily.

gardengal48 Here is what I have so far. I am going to play around with it over the next few days until I get something I am happy with. I also went online and purchased a few plant stands in various sizes/heights.

I purchased the white planters very recently so I am still able to return them. Would you suggest I do that and buy more navy/teal? I can also move the black pots to the side of my house. I'm really clueless on what to move where so any direction would be appreciated.

It's not exactly how I would do it (or how I described) but the clustering is a BIG improvement. I would also cluster them tighter together but maybe that can wait until you receive the stands. They are still too drawn out. The planted container groupings in cathyjoco's middle photos are more what you want to aim for.

Looking good. Slightly overlap the pots, bringing them a bit closer together. See the 2nd and 3rd pics that cathyjoco posted.

gardengal48 I'll read through what you posted again. This is a bit overwhelming for me and a major information overload :(

G Drusc, if it helps, think of each cluster as a "family portrait" in terms of size and quantities: large and medium pots (dad and mom) at the back), 1 or 3 small pots (kids) in front.

You can vary it with 2 large, 1 medium, and 2 small pots. Or 1 large, 2 medium, and 2 small pots.

You also want an ODD number of pots, rather than an even number, which is why gardengal said to group them in clusters of 3 or 5 or 7. It seems counterintuitive, but odd numbers are actually more pleasing to the eye.

gardengal48 I rearranged them again by color like you suggested. I feel like the blue section is so large and the black is very lacking.

Yes I do need to buy some more flowers for the black pots. I thought you said I should get rid of the white pots so I took them out. I will add them back and see how that looks.

Not the white pots - the white planters :-)

Here I put them back.

gardengal48 about the blue area being too lined up. I feel like my brain just doesn't work that way. I was having a hard time placing them in such a small area without being lined up and keeping them close together. Maybe my husband can help me later. He has no problem with things being disorganized. :)

G Drusc, for the blue area, pull out the two turquoise-ish pots, re-center the rest, and put the two turquoise-ish pots in front. That's the easiest method I think. I would be tempted to put all of the snake plants together, but then you have to deal with balancing the arrangement, so just go with simple : ) .

You should really wait until you have your new plant stands...otherwise you’re just wasting your time and driving yourself crazy lol. Here are a few more pics to give you some ideas. Staggering heights looks best. I hope this helps and have fun with it!

That's a nice set of photos!! I hope the OP gets the idea from these on how to group for impact - similar colored containers staggered at different heights and with complimentary plantings. And with an uneven number.

Excellent illustrations!!

GardenHo know what they are doing. I would also group and elevate in similar pot colors. Can't wait for March 1st!!!! Hello Spring!