10 Ideas For Planting In Garden Containers

Metal Garden Planters are some of the most beautiful looking containers in which to grow plants, but what plants can you put into these containers to add elegance and style? There are literally thousands of options of plants you could choose. In this post we will give you some of our favourites.

However, it’s important to note that what can be planted in garden containers is dependant upon whether they have a base in the planter or not. The advantage of having a bottomless container is it allows larger plants to extend the roots through the planter into the ground making it easy to support things like trees.

Check out our plant container vs raised bed blog post to learn more about the differences. 

Ideas For Bottomless Metal Containers 

Japanese Maples

Japanese maples are one of the most beautiful small trees that you could have in a garden.  They provide and elegance style that you cannot get from many other plants because they have a delicate leaf structure that changes colours with the seasons depending upon the specific variety chosen.  

This type of tree would be most suited to a round metal planter. This could be used to elevate soil level and highlight the tree. Additionally, further interest could also be added by placing spring bulbs, such as daffodils, around the base of the tree to provide colour and interest early in the season when the maple does not have any leaves. 

Espaliered Apple/Pear Trees

Another elegant choice the growing in planters would be espalier apples or pears which provide year round beauty and structure to your garden. This is because the plants provide flowers in the spring followed by foliage throughout the summer and then fruit in the Autumn. 

These types of trees would be most suited to straight edge planters such as rectangular metal planters to provide a border or petition within the garden. Again, interest could also be added to espaliers by adding spring bulbs. 

Bamboo

Bamboo plants are a great screening option that provides structure and privacy to your garden while also providing a tropical feel that is sought after by many UK gardeners. However, when selecting your bamboo you need to make sure that it is a clumping bamboo to ensure that it does not become an invasive weed when using a bottomless planter.

If you do want to use running bamboo this is the perfect time to use a planter with a base to contain the plant. 

Magnolia’s

Magnolias are another popular choice the growing in gardens because of the stunning purple and white flowers that appear in early spring. However, when selecting magnolias it is important to consider the size of the tree that you actually want in your garden as they do vary in size significantly depending upon the variety that you choose. A list of 7 popular dwarf varieties that are ideally suited to small gardens is provided below. 

1. ‘Caerhays Surprise’ 
2. ‘Centennial’
3. ‘Jane Platt’ 
4. ‘Leonard Messel’
5. ‘Colossus’ 
6. ‘Gail’s Favorite’
7. ‘Nigra’

Viburnum opulus roseum (The snowball plant)

The viburnum is another fantastic plant that is one of our favourites to recommend. This particular variety produces large white flowers that resemble a snowball and dark green foliage which is fantastic during the summer.  

The plant itself reaches a height of approximately 3-4m tall and would be suitable for either straight or rounded planters. This would depend on whether the plant was being used in a mixed border in combination with other plants or as a standalone feature plant in the middle of the lawn, either way it would be a valuable addition to your garden.

Ideas For Metal Containers With A Base

Olive Trees

For planters containing a bottom, an olive tree would be our number one choice as they provide year round interest with distinct grey foliage and fruit. Additionally, they are a moderately sized tree that is ideally suited to relatively small gardens. Growing trees in containers restricts the size of the root ball and therefore the size of the tree that can be produced.

This means that they can be housed in a tree container for years without being repotted provided that there is sufficient nutrients added every year. This can be done by adding additional compost or fertilizer every year. 

In the UK olive trees can survive cold winters without protection but they do require good drainage. This is where a product such as a metal planter with feet is ideal. This is because the feet on the container will help to lift it off the ground maintaining good drainage. Additionally, you can add a layer of gravel in the base of the container to improve drainage as well.

Conifers

Another excellent plant to place into planters around your garden to add formality and structure, even in the dead of winter, is conifers. These predominantly evergreen trees and shrubs can transform a garden, providing year-round interest with their diverse shapes, sizes, and colours. What makes them even more appealing is their low-maintenance nature, ensuring your garden remains vibrant without demanding too much effort on your part.

For those considering smaller conifers, tall metal planters are our top recommendation. However, our product range doesn’t stop there. Depending on the specific look you’re aiming for, there are many other planters in our collection that would beautifully complement conifers, allowing you to achieve the perfect aesthetic balance in your garden.

Spring bulbs

Spring bulbs are another plant that is extremely useful for adding colour and interest your garden early in the year. However, the disadvantage of growing these types of plants in the garden is there is a long period, after flowering where the bulbs do not look as attractive.

This is because it is necessary to wait for the foliage to die back to ensure that you get good flowering the following season. However, this is where using planters is extremely effective way of making your garden look it’s very best for as long as possible.

The planters can be brought out just prior to the flowering period when the plants are looking at the very best and then removed once the flowering period is over allowing other plants to shine. 

Annual Vegetables

Vegetables are another group of plants that looks absolutely fantastic in planters, particularly when you choose vegetables that are ornamental as well as being highly productive. Examples of this include chard and also plants such as climbing beans and peas which produce lovely foliage and flowers throughout the season.

The other plants that are particularly suitable for growing into planters of those that highly sensitive to temperature such as tomatoes, peppers and aubergines which all require significant amounts of heat. 

These plants like the bulbs in the previous section can be brought out of a greenhouse when weather allows optimising productivity.

Standard Roses

The last one on the list is roses which can provide beautiful flowers that are highly fragrant.  However, within this group of plants the one we highly recommend using is standard roses. This is because they provide a way to add height and formality to the garden in a similar manner to conifers.

Creating a structured formal look to your garden is best done by using the same type of pot and rose repeatedly throughout the garden. The most effective way to do this is to use them to line paths or walkways which will maximise their visibility.

Inspired by our planting ideas? The right container can make all the difference. Explore our metal growing containers today and discover the perfect planter to complement your chosen plants.