Containers can be just as stunning as the foliage this fall, if you choose the right size, shape and color to hold your plants.
When Missy Means Madden of Bellwether Landscape Architects designs container combinations, she said she seeks a balance of interesting lines, sizes and finishes. Texture and scale are important when thinking about the overall composition, she added.
For the terrace-level garden of the Serenbe Designer Showhouse, which is open through Sept. 28, Bellwether selected a variety of planters in different sizes and finishes. In one section, there’s a stately galvanized urn from Hill Street Warehouse in Atlanta. A white glazed planter (also from Hill Street Warehouse) and a black glazed, ribbed planter from AW Pottery Atlanta in Chamblee, are among the containers nestled around a bench.
If you’re adding containers to your yard or porches, decks and patios this fall, look for planters with these qualities:
Colors: Hues such as mocha and wasabi are available in containers by Crescent Garden, sold at Kolo Collection in Atlanta. Those, as well as containers by other makers in colors such as sangria, peppercorn and merlot, can be fun choices that may even inspire your next party menu. For the fall, your flowers and greenery could pop against containers and planters in gray, rust, copper, black and bronze tones.
Durability: Containers can crack and weaken due to sun, heat or cold. If you are investing in an expensive planter, ask about whether it has UV stabilizers that protect the container. The Vietnamese pottery made by Anamese Garden and Home is frost proof, according to the company. Interesting containers include Anamese's Barcelona planter, which is available in two sizes (27 inches and 18 inches), with a suggested retail price of $300 for the pair.
Eco-friendly: More containers made of recycled materials are on the market. Bloem's planters, sold online at home improvement and garden stores such as The Home Depot, Pike Nurseries and through Amazon.com, are made of 75 percent recycled plastic, according to the company.
Design: The wavy lines of the Eye Am Planter by Crescent Garden can draw attention to the flowers you select for the container. For balconies, porches and decks, Bloem's Modica Rail Planter can fit multiple railing sizes and comes in eight colors. The planter is sold in singles (ranging from $14-$24 at amazon.com) or in packs of six.
Weight: Sometimes the biggest factor is just how much strength it will take to move the container. The Madison Planter, by Crescent Garden, is made of lightweight resin (various sizes; suggested retail price $44.99-$444.99).
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