Try This Shortcut to Garden Color Where You Need It
Brighten your balcony, patio or deck with planters that are as splendid as their contents
Flowers and foliage go a long way toward beautifying your outside space, but if you want to maximize the effect of container planting, there’s another element to consider. Planters in standout shades provide an extra hit of color — no nurturing required. So why not try some of these plant pot ideas?
Pack a punch. Red and green is a scrumptious natural combination — think strawberries, poppies and red berries nestling amid glossy green leaves. The designers of this yard exploited the powerful pairing with tall planters and cascading foliage, plus lush grass planted below.
If you’re copying this idea, make sure your version isn’t lost against the backdrop. Opt for tall planters (these reach halfway up the fence) and fill the entire width of the space.
If you’re copying this idea, make sure your version isn’t lost against the backdrop. Opt for tall planters (these reach halfway up the fence) and fill the entire width of the space.
Brighten more than the pot. Tall walls or fences in a limited space is a recipe for a yard that’s short on greenery. These vertical plantings boost the soft landscaping without filling up the deck, allowing space for a table and chairs. Go for green planters like these to enhance the effect.
If you have a tiny balcony or patio, you might like to steal the idea of furniture in vivid green to tip the balance further in favor of natural garden shades.
Browse green-toned outdoor furniture
If you have a tiny balcony or patio, you might like to steal the idea of furniture in vivid green to tip the balance further in favor of natural garden shades.
Browse green-toned outdoor furniture
Consider steel that weathers. If you like the idea of colorful planters but want a gentler approach, how about using a deliberately rusted metal finish? The tone of the weathered material is warm but softer than orange.
It can take a few months for the protective rust layer to fully form. A stand under the planter will help prevent staining on the surface below.
It can take a few months for the protective rust layer to fully form. A stand under the planter will help prevent staining on the surface below.
Look to the sky. Harmonious blues and grays link the planters on this rooftop terrace with the shades of the sky above, and they give the traditional boxwood balls they’re planted with a modern makeover.
This home has a spectacular city view, but if your yard has a less interesting vista, using tall planters like these is an effective way to block it when you’re sitting outside. Check where your sightline falls from outdoor chairs before investing, and bear in mind that dense plants like these form the best screen.
This home has a spectacular city view, but if your yard has a less interesting vista, using tall planters like these is an effective way to block it when you’re sitting outside. Check where your sightline falls from outdoor chairs before investing, and bear in mind that dense plants like these form the best screen.
Create a picture. Take indoor design skills outside to brighten a dull fence. This display of planting works just like a gallery wall, with the individual elements arranged to create a pleasing whole in terms of shape and color.
Just as with framed pictures, the best approach is to arrange them on the floor until you’re happy before hanging them.
In blues and grays, these frames tie in easily with the planting, while an accent of red at the center is a real eye-catcher.
Just as with framed pictures, the best approach is to arrange them on the floor until you’re happy before hanging them.
In blues and grays, these frames tie in easily with the planting, while an accent of red at the center is a real eye-catcher.
Follow the architecture. This colorful planter display takes its cue from the backdrop of chimney pots, echoing the architectural features but adding statement color that ties in with the wooden decking.
Get the look with a grouping of three planters — or even five in a large space — to avoid the formality of symmetry and create a relaxed outdoor area.
Get the look with a grouping of three planters — or even five in a large space — to avoid the formality of symmetry and create a relaxed outdoor area.
Go solo. These flower beds are already rich in color from both blooms and foliage, so instead of introducing a new color, the planter repeats the hottest of the hues to add a tall focal point to the space.
The low plant inside is small for such a large container, but its size allows it to become part of the planting along the top of the wall, while the color of the pot balances the red blooms on the other side of the patio.
The low plant inside is small for such a large container, but its size allows it to become part of the planting along the top of the wall, while the color of the pot balances the red blooms on the other side of the patio.
Play with opposites. White planters contrasted with dark stone hardscaping can be a powerful punctuation point in a garden design. This trio shows off verdant arum lilies.
In their position right beside the windows, they can be enjoyed from inside the house too, linking exterior and interior.
The uplights are also an idea worth copying to show off foliage plants to their best advantage.
Tell us: Do you use planters in your garden? What colors and materials did you choose? Share your ideas, experiences and photos in the Comments.
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Browse planters
In their position right beside the windows, they can be enjoyed from inside the house too, linking exterior and interior.
The uplights are also an idea worth copying to show off foliage plants to their best advantage.
Tell us: Do you use planters in your garden? What colors and materials did you choose? Share your ideas, experiences and photos in the Comments.
More
Read stories about container gardening
Find a landscape architect or garden designer
Browse planters
The rules? Use the same style and material for the pots to make the group hang together, and repeat colors within the display so that it looks thought-out and not random.