Garden Planters - Beauty and Versatility For Your Outside Decor

Garden planters offer the incredible luxury of enjoying gorgeous flowers and plants even if you never thought you had the adequate yard space usually needed to do so. From the small and dainty to the large and ornate, garden planters are available in innumerable types and styles, making it easy to find something to fit the décor of any outdoor space.

The Many Types of Garden Planters

Here are some of the most popular materials used to create garden planters in many shapes and sizes:

- Ceramic: For extra pops of color, ceramic garden planters can be found in any number of finishes and textured surfaces including a subtle matte and glossy glazes. Faux ceramic planters made from fiberglass and polyresin mimic the look of true ceramic but without the same fragility and heavy weight.

- Fiberglass: In recent years, the processes used to make fiberglass planters have advanced considerably, improving both their quality and appearance. These light garden planters can be made to look like those that cost thousands of dollars using intricate and highly detailed molds. The best fiberglass garden planters are so realistic looking that it's impossible to tell them from authentic materials unless you actually touch one.

- Metal: Whether it's copper, steel, zinc, wrought iron, or cast iron, metal garden planters are incredibly durable, with each type aging differently and taking on new characteristics. Metal planters are also often used as cache pots, which are decorative planters that hold flowers or plants that are planted in plain containers.

- Resin: Resin has the unique ability to simulate the appearance of natural materials including stone, concrete, limestone, clays, and terra cotta. Because this material is so lightweight, resin planters are ideal for balconies, decks, porch rails, on small tables, or anywhere else weight would normally be of a concern. Resin is also virtually unbreakable and will last throughout many seasons with the right care, but because this material is non-porous, be sure to monitor water content, ensure the container is draining properly, and that the roots of the plant have an adequate supply of oxygen in circulation.

- Stone: Real stone garden planters are a beautiful addition to any type of garden as they can be found in a wide variety of styles, shapes, and sizes. Stone planters age wonderfully, changing colors throughout the years. They are also rather heavy, so plan on placing them somewhere in the garden permanently. Now, stone can easily be mixed with synthetic materials, such as combining fiberglass with limestone, to make them lighter, but keeping their original durability and appearance.

- Terra cotta: Terra cotta is one of the earliest materials used by man and their timeless appeal still has a place in the gardens of today. Usually unglazed, terra cotta planters are porous, meaning the plants they hold will need watered more often than usual, so for this reason you should pre-soak any terra cotta planters before use. They are also prone to cracking and will break in freezing temperatures, so be sure to store them properly during the off season.

- Wood: Wooden planters, usually made from teak or redwood cedar, offer natural beauty and will blend in well with virtually any type of garden, ranging from the sophisticated to the rustic. Before painting, staining, or sealing a wood planter, check to see that the products you're using are non-toxic and won’t be harmful to plant life. Using plastic liners and plastic containers inside of wooden planters help to extend their life and allow the wood to remain untreated but still able to withstand the constant use.

Continued....garden planter styles, designs and shapes

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