A great way to spruce up the backyard, the window sill, or the inside of one’s home, garden planters are a less messy and more compact alternative to traditional gardens. They can easily be moved around and arranged into displays; plus, they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. To find one that matches your home’s motif, check out a few options.
Wooden garden planters are the most natural looking variety, and many industrious gardeners choose to build their own. Though typically limited to rectangular shapes, there is at least the choice of how big or small you’d like the planter to be. Some woods work better than others, especially for outdoor use. Teak and cedar in particular hold up well outdoors. These woods can either be left finished or unfinished, and the planters usually come with a basic drainage system.
Plastic has long been given a bad rap because the misconception is that it is flimsy and cheap-looking. On the contrary, one type of plastic, polyethylene is an extremely durable and good-looking polymer that works great with outdoor furniture and garden planters. Polyethylene is lightweight, but it is also impervious to cracking and falling apart. This material is often used for commercial garden planters one would see in hotels, malls, etc. Another good thing about plastics is that more and more of the polyethylene used is recycled material, so you can make a great buy while being eco-friendly. Plastics are good for indoor and outdoor use, and hold up against weather damage and temperature fluctuations.
Fiberglass is a great material for garden planters for a few different reasons. First of all, they are lightweight like polyethylene. Secondly, being a malleable material, you can find them in all different sizes, shapes, etc. Paired with the lightweight quality, this makes fiberglass garden planters an ideal choice for larger planters, trees and bushes. It is also a very stable material that will last throughout the years. Finally, fiberglass can be molded to emulate a bunch of colors and finishes, including glossy, metallic and matte. These planters can be made also to resemble stone and ceramic. If you go with fiberglass, make sure to regularly clean and wax you garden planters. On the downside, fiberglass is not recommended for outdoor use in that it can fade over time when exposed to direct sunlight. However, the material is proven relatively strong against other types of weather damage, and with proper drainage these garden planters so not need to be emptied in winter.
Last but not least, when you think of those beautiful old-fashioned and antique garden planters that are ornately painted and on display in palaces and temples, you’re probably thinking about ceramic. Often hand-cast, ceramic planters are some of the most elaborate and exotic types available. You can find ones imported from China, Indonesia, Vietnam and Mexico, just to name a few. With these garden planters, the colors and designs are virtually endless, and nearly all ceramic holders come with a high-gloss finish. There are some negatives, though. Ceramic does not hold up well under prolonged outdoor exposure. Colors will eventually fade, plus the fragile material is apt to crack, especially when the temperature changes quickly. Plus, they’re heavier than their peers, so moving ceramic planters can be tricky. However, for indoor or temporary outdoor use, ceramic is a fine choice.
Leave a reply