Decorative Planters to Create an Outdoor Oasis

Creating an outdoor oasis is a beautiful way to transform your garden, patio, or balcony into a serene escape. Whether you have a sprawling yard or a small balcony, decorative planters can play a crucial role in bringing your outdoor space to life. The right garden container and plants can add color, texture, and height, making your space inviting and beautiful.

So, let's explore some of the most popular planters, including:

• Flower boxes
• Wall planters
• Railing planters
• Tall planters
• Gardening urns
• Round planters
• Square planters

We'll discuss how each type can create a stunning outdoor oasis. We'll also suggest plants and flowers that thrive in them and provide tips on arranging and maintaining your planters. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just starting, you'll find numerous ideas to inspire your outdoor living space.

Don't hesitate to incorporate some of these ideas into indoor spaces. Decorative planters can create an oasis indoors or outdoors and are invaluable with modern designs.

Flower Boxes: Versatile and Charming

Flower boxes are versatile and charming additions to any outdoor space. Typically rectangular, they can be placed on windowsills, along the edges of patios, or even mounted on balcony railings. Flower and window boxes are perfect for adding a burst of color and a touch of greenery, even in small areas.

Plant Suggestions:

• Cascading Flowers: Petunias and geraniums are excellent choices for flower boxes. Their trailing habits allow them to spill over the edges, creating a lush, overflowing look.
• Herbs: If you enjoy cooking, plant herbs like basil, thyme, or parsley in your flower boxes. They add greenery and provide fresh ingredients right at your fingertips.

Tips for Use: Mix plants of varying heights in your flower box to create a layered look. For example, place taller plants in the back and cascading plants in the front. This arrangement will give your flower box depth and make it visually appealing from all angles.

Flower boxes can also frame windows or entryways, drawing the eye to these features and adding a welcoming touch to your home.

Wall Planters: Maximizing Vertical Space

Wall planters maximize vertical space, especially in smaller outdoor areas like balconies or patios. You can mount them on walls or fences, creating a lush, green backdrop without consuming valuable floor space.

Plant Suggestions:

• Ferns: Ferns are ideal for wall planters. They thrive in shaded areas and add a soft, feathery texture to your outdoor space.
• Succulents: Succulents like echeveria and sedum are low-maintenance. They add texture and color to a boring wall, making it a natural canvas.
• Trailing Plants: Plants like ivy or string of pearls are perfect for wall planters, as they cascade down beautifully, creating a curtain of greenery.

Tips for Use: Consider creating a pattern or design to add visual interest when arranging wall planters. For example, place several in a grid formation or stagger them at different heights for a more organic look.

Wall planters are also a great way to add privacy to your outdoor space. They cover up unsightly walls or create a green partition between you and your neighbors.

Railing Planters: Beautifying Your Railings

Railing planters fit snugly over the railings of your balcony or patio. They're a simple yet effective way to add greenery and color to your outdoor space.

Deck railing planters are handy for those with limited ground space. Like wall planters, they allow you to garden vertically without occupying floor space.

Plant Suggestions:

• Bright Flowers: Flowers like marigolds, petunias, and lavender bring vibrant colors to your railings, adding natural beauty.
• Trailing Plants: Trailing plants such as lobelia or creeping jenny can spill over the edges of the railing planters. They soften the lines of your balcony or patio for added visual interest.
• Edibles: Consider planting compact herbs or vegetables like cherry tomatoes or mint. These plants are decorative and provide fresh produce just a few steps away.

Tips for Use: When placing railing planters, try to distribute them evenly along the length of your railing to create a balanced look. Mix and match different plants in the same box to add variety and interest.

Railing planters are perfect for framing your outdoor space, giving it a cohesive and polished look.

Tall Planters: Adding Height and Drama

Tall planters are a fantastic way to introduce height and drama to your outdoor space. They're perfect for creating focal points, especially in corners or along pathways. Their height allows them to stand out, drawing the eye upward and adding depth to your garden or patio.

Plant Suggestions:

• Ornamental Grasses: Tall, graceful grasses like fountain or maiden grass work beautifully in tall vessels. They add movement and texture to create a stunning focal point.
• Tall Flowering Plants: Consider plants like cannas or sunflowers, which bring bold colors and vertical interest to your space.
• Small Shrubs: Dwarf shrubs, such as boxwoods or hydrangeas, are ideal for tall planters. They provide structure, and you can prune them to maintain a neat appearance.

Tips for Use: Tall planting vessels work well as statement pieces. Consider placing them in prominent locations like the entrance to your patio or at the end of a garden pathway.

You can also group tall planters with shorter ones to create a layered effect. Mixing different heights adds depth and dimension, making your outdoor space more dynamic and visually engaging.

Urn Planters: Classic Elegance

Gardening urns are a timeless choice for gardeners looking to add a touch of classic elegance to their outdoor space. With their traditional shape and often ornate designs, urn planters create a sophisticated, old-world feel in your garden, patio, or entryway.

Plant Suggestions:

• Boxwoods: Boxwoods are a classic choice for urn planters. Trimming the foliage into various shapes adds interest and a formal touch to your space.
• Topiaries: For a striking focal point, consider topiary plants you can shape into spirals, spheres, or other designs.
• Bold Flowers: Plants like hydrangeas or roses offer a burst of color and complement the classic look of classic urns.

Tips for Use: Urn planters look best when used symmetrically, such as flanking the entrance to your home or a garden pathway. Their height and shape naturally draw attention, so use them to highlight key areas in your outdoor space. You can also elevate them on pedestals to increase height and create a grander effect.

Round Planters: Soft and Inviting

Round planters bring a gentle, inviting vibe to your outdoor space. Their smooth, curved shape contrasts beautifully with the angular lines of patios, decks, and garden paths.

These popular pots are versatile and available in various options and sizes. So you can use them in multiple settings, from cozy corners to central spots in your garden.

Plant Suggestions:

• Rounded Shrubs: Plants like boxwoods or dwarf conifers, with their naturally rounded forms, complement the shape of round pots.
• Flowering Plants: Round planters showcase flowering plants like begonias, pansies, or geraniums, which add color and softness.
• Herbs: Herbs like rosemary, thyme, or mint fit well in round planters and offer fragrance and utility.

Tips for Use: Round planters work well in groupings, especially when mixed with other pots of different sizes. Consider placing a few round pots in a cluster to create a focal point in your garden or patio. Their soft shape makes them ideal for breaking up straight lines and adding a more organic feel to your space.

For a cohesive look, choose plants that echo the roundness of the planters or mix with trailing plants to soften the edges.

Square Planters: Modern and Structured

Square planters create a modern, structured look in your outdoor space. Their clean lines and geometric shapes lend themselves well to contemporary designs. Square pots are popular for those looking to add a touch of sophistication and order to their garden or patio.

Plant Suggestions:

• Bamboo: Bamboo's growth habit pairs well with square pots, creating a striking, minimalist look.
• Succulents: Succulents thrive in square planters, where you can appreciate their sculptural forms from all angles.
• Structured Topiaries: Boxwoods or other prunable are ideal for square pots to enhance their structured appearance.

Tips for Use: Square planters help define spaces or create symmetry. Place them along the edges of your patio, or use them to frame doorways and pathways. Choose plants with clean lines and simple shapes for a modern, minimalist look.

Square flower pots also work well when placed in a grid pattern, adding structure and order to your outdoor space. Mix and match different sizes for a more dynamic composition. Or you can stick with uniform-sized pots for a sleek, cohesive design.

Self-Watering Planters: Hassle-Free Gardening

Self-watering planters are a game-changer for gardeners, not for their looks but for their functionality. They allow you to create a stunning outdoor oasis without the constant upkeep.

The planters include a reservoir that supplies water to the plants as needed. As a result, you water less frequently while keeping your plants hydrated, even during hot summer days.

Companies like Root & Vessel have high-quality resin planters with a self-watering feature.

How They Work: Self-watering flower containers have a shallow water reservoir. A wicking system draws water up into the soil as it dries out. The soil remains consistently moist, preventing overwatering, which can cause root rot.

Self-watering planters are handy for busy gardeners, frequent travelers, or anyone looking to reduce their water usage.

Plant Suggestions:

• Ferns: Ferns like Boston or Maidenhair are well-suited for self-watering plant containers. These plants prefer constantly moist soil and can struggle in drier conditions.
• Begonias: Begonias are flowering plants that do best in moist, well-drained soil. The even moisture provided by self-watering planters encourages abundant blooming and healthy foliage.
• Impatiens: Impatiens are shade-loving flowers that require regular watering to maintain their vibrant blooms. Self-watering pots keep them well-hydrated, reducing the risk of wilting.

Tips for Use: Self-watering plant containers are ideal for hot climates or areas that receive a lot of sunlight. Place them in sunny spots on your patio, balcony, or garden where plants typically need more frequent watering. For the best results, check the reservoir's level regularly and top it up as needed, especially during dry spells.

Arranging Decorative Planters for Visual Interest

Arranging your flower pots thoughtfully can transform your outdoor space into a visually captivating oasis. By considering elements like color, height, and texture, you can create a cohesive, dynamic design that draws the eye and invites relaxation.

Tips for Grouping Planters

• Varying Heights: Combine pots of different heights to create layers. Place taller planters at the back or in corners to add depth. Then, place shorter ones in the foreground. This approach creates a natural flow and adds dimension to your space.
• Mixing Shapes: Mixing round, square, and tall planters can add visual interest to a space and prevent a uniform look that lacks drama. The contrast between the shapes can highlight the unique qualities of each pot and the plants they contain.
• Color Coordination: Choose different colors that complement each other or match the overall color scheme of your garden or patio. For a cohesive look, you might select planters in shades that match the flowers or foliage. Alternatively, using neutral-colored pots allows the plants to take center stage.
• Creating Focal Points: Use large or uniquely shaped planting vessels as focal points in your arrangement. For example, a gardening urn or a tall, dramatic planter can serve as the centerpiece. Then, arrange smaller, complementary pots for depth and added interest.
• Consider Placement: Consider where your planters will have the most impact. Near entryways, they can create a welcoming atmosphere. Along pathways, they can guide visitors through your garden. They can turn unused space into a charming, green retreat in corners or cozy nooks.

Placement Ideas for Decorative Planters

• Patio Corners: Place tall or large pots in the corners of your patio to anchor the space and create a sense of enclosure.
• Pathway Edges: Line pathways with square or round planters, guiding visitors and adding structure to your garden.
• Near Seating Areas: Arrange planters around seating areas to create a cozy, inviting atmosphere. A mix of fragrant flowers, lush greenery, and a self-watering planter can enhance the relaxing vibe.

Root & Vessel Has Decorative Planters of All Types

Creating an outdoor oasis is within reach. That's true whether you have a spacious garden, a cozy patio, or a tiny balcony. Decorative planters can transform any outdoor area into a vibrant, inviting space. You can create a unique look that reflects your style and maximizes your space.

Pair your planters with attractive plants and arrange them thoughtfully to add depth, color, and texture to your garden. And don’t overlook the convenience of self-watering planters. They'll help you maintain a thriving oasis with minimal effort.

At Root & Vessel, we offer a wide range of decorative planters to suit every style and need. Explore our collection and start creating your outdoor oasis today.