Planters for Every Garden: How to Choose the Perfect Style for Your Outdoor Space
Whether you have a sprawling backyard, a cozy balcony, or a welcoming front porch, the right planters can elevate your outdoor space and bring your garden design to life. But with so many shapes, sizes, and materials to choose from, picking the perfect planters can feel overwhelming.
In this post, we’ll walk you through how to choose the right planters for your garden style, break down popular materials and sizes, and offer seasonal planting ideas to keep your garden fresh year-round. Plus, we’ll show you why Gauld Nurseries is your go-to source for beautiful, high-quality planters that fit any garden aesthetic.
Let us help find the perfect planters for your outdoor space - contact Gauld Nurseries today!
1. Understanding Your Garden Style
Before you choose a planter, it’s important to take a step back and consider the overall aesthetic of your outdoor space. The planter you choose isn’t just a container - it’s a design element that can enhance or distract from your garden’s theme.
Matching your planter to your garden style helps create a cohesive, polished look that ties everything together and showcases your plants in the best possible way.
Here’s how to align your planter choices with your garden’s personality:
Modern Gardens
Modern outdoor spaces thrive on simplicity, symmetry, and clean lines. To complement this aesthetic, opt for planters with sleek silhouettes and neutral tones—think concrete, black matte ceramic, or powder-coated metal. Tall, square, or geometric shapes reinforce the minimalist vibe and create a striking contrast with sculptural plants like snake plants, ornamental grasses, or succulents. These planters also tend to be durable and low-maintenance, perfect for modern lifestyles.
Cottage or English-Style Gardens
Romantic, whimsical, and full of blooms, cottage gardens are all about soft textures and classic charm. To match this traditional style, look for ceramic, terracotta, or ornate stone planters with a slightly weathered or vintage-inspired finish. Rounded or urn-style pots add to the old-world feel. Fill them with classic plants like lavender, roses, delphiniums, and trailing lobelia for a dreamy, overgrown look.
Rustic or Farmhouse-Style Gardens
Rustic and farmhouse gardens favour natural textures and earthy elements. This style pairs beautifully with wooden planters, half-barrels, galvanized steel tubs, and reclaimed materials. These containers bring warmth and character to your space, and they’re great for growing vegetables, herbs, or wildflowers. For a cohesive rustic look, choose planters with muted colours or distressed finishes that complement your surrounding hardscape.
Tropical or Mediterranean Gardens
If your garden is full of palms, citrus trees, or lush, broad-leafed plants, go bold with your containers. Glazed pottery, mosaic-covered ceramic, or terracotta in vibrant blues, greens, and terracotta tones are perfect choices. These planters not only hold up well in warm climates but also enhance the colourful, sun-soaked feel of tropical or Mediterranean landscapes. Round, bowl-style, or urn-shaped planters work particularly well in these settings.
Urban Patios and Balconies
Small-space gardens don’t have to sacrifice style. For patios, balconies, and rooftop gardens, choose lightweight planters in compact or vertical styles. Fibreglass, resin, or plastic options are ideal here—they're easy to move and come in a wide range of shapes and colours. Narrow rectangular planters are great for railing displays or privacy screens, while hanging or stackable planters can help maximize space. Stick with modern, neutral tones or soft textures to avoid visual clutter.
2. Choosing the Right Planter Material
Once you’ve narrowed down your garden style, the next step is choosing the right material for your planter. The material you choose not only affects the look of your space but also plays a role in durability, weight, and plant health.
Terracotta planters are a timeless favourite thanks to their warm, earthy tones and natural breathability. They allow moisture and air to pass through the walls, helping prevent overwatering. However, they can crack in freezing temperatures, so they’re best used in protected areas or during the warmer months.
Ceramic planters, especially glazed ones, come in a wide range of colours and patterns, perfect for adding a decorative touch. They hold moisture well, making them ideal for thirsty plants, but are heavier and more fragile than other options.
Concrete offers a clean, modern look and is extremely durable. It’s a great option for large plants or permanent displays, but keep in mind it’s very heavy and not easy to move once placed.
Plastic and resin planters are lightweight, weather-resistant, and budget-friendly. They’re a practical choice for balconies, decks, and gardeners who like to rearrange their space often. Today’s options are available in styles that mimic more expensive materials like stone or ceramic.
Wood brings a natural, rustic charm and blends well in most garden settings. It’s ideal for raised beds and large planters but does require sealing or lining to prevent rot and extend its life.
Metal planters—such as aluminum, copper, or galvanized steel—make a stylish statement and are great for urban or industrial-style spaces. Just be aware that they can heat up quickly in the sun, so you may need liners to protect plant roots.
Choosing the right material is about balancing looks, practicality, and the needs of your plants. And if you're not sure where to start, the team at Gauld Nurseries is always happy to help guide your decision.
3. Picking the Proper Size and Shape
Size matters when it comes to planters. Make sure your container matches the needs of your plant and your space.
Small planters are perfect for herbs, succulents, or tabletop arrangements.
Medium planters work well for annuals, mixed containers, or decorative shrubs.
Large planters accommodate trees, tall grasses, or multiple plant combinations.
Deep planters are best for root vegetables or deep-rooted perennials.
Wide, shallow planters suit trailing annuals and layered floral designs.
Tip: Always make sure your planter has drainage holes or add a layer of gravel to protect roots from excess moisture.
4. Seasonal Planting Ideas for Your Planters
One of the best things about using planters in your garden is the flexibility they offer.
By changing up your plant combinations with the seasons, you can keep your outdoor space looking vibrant, fresh, and full of interest all year long.
Whether you’re refreshing a front porch display or updating your patio, rotating your planters seasonally is a simple way to reflect the time of year - and your personal style.
Spring
After a long winter, spring is the season of renewal. This is your chance to celebrate the return of colour and life to your garden.
Combine early-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths with cool-weather annuals like pansies and violas.
Add trailing plants like ivy or creeping thyme to spill gently over the sides of your containers.
Choose pastel-coloured planters or soft whites and creams to complement delicate spring hues.
Spring is also a great time to plant hardy herbs like parsley, chives, and mint in smaller decorative pots near the kitchen door.
Summer
Summer calls for bold, bright blooms and lush greenery. This is the season to go big with texture and colour.
Fill your containers with sun-loving annuals like petunias, geraniums, marigolds, calibrachoa, and salvia.
Accent with ornamental grasses or tall spiky plants like dracaena for height and drama.
Use terracotta or glazed ceramic planters in warm tones like orange, red, or cobalt blue to match the season’s intensity.
Try a mix of thriller, filler, and spiller plants for dynamic summer arrangements that last well into the heat.
Fall
As the leaves start to turn, planters can reflect the rich, cozy colours of the season.
Choose hardy seasonal staples like mums, ornamental kale, asters, and decorative cabbage for texture and longevity.
Add mini pumpkins or gourds for a festive touch, or nestle in dried corn stalks or wheat bundles.
Rustic wooden barrels, clay pots, or copper-toned planters perfectly suit autumn’s earthy tones.
Consider adding cold-tolerant herbs like sage or rosemary to bring both scent and structure.
Winter
Even when the garden goes dormant, your planters don’t have to. Winter containers can add structure and a festive look when everything else is bare.
Use evergreens like cedar, pine, or boxwood, and accent with red dogwood twigs, birch branches, pinecones, and berry sprigs (real or artificial).
Choose sturdy concrete, stone, or frost-resistant resin planters that can stand up to freeze-thaw cycles.
Add subtle sparkle with decorative lights, ribbons, or frosted ornaments for a seasonal flair.
Group planters at varying heights near entryways to make a welcoming winter statement.
With a little creativity, your planters can be a beautiful expression of the season, every season.
5) Why Choose Gauld Nurseries for Your Planters
At Gauld Nurseries, we know that a great garden starts with the right foundation—and that includes your planters. Our experts are passionate about helping you choose the perfect style, size, and material to suit your space.
We carry a wide selection of high-quality planters in various styles, including:
Timeless terracotta and glazed ceramic
Sleek and modern concrete and metal options
Lightweight and weather-resistant plastic or resin
Rustic wooden and barrel-style containers
No matter your garden style or experience level, our team is here to guide you with friendly advice, seasonal inspiration, and the best products to help your plants thrive.
Find the Perfect Planters for Every Plant
A family tradition since 1950, Gauld Nurseries offers a unique botanical experience nestled within the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. Discover our meticulously curated gardens and explore a world of vibrant plants.
Contact us and learn more about how to prepare for winter gardening.
“Great place to shop! The staff is super helpful and knowledgeable. I was having trouble finding the right trees and shrubs for my yard and the staff were amazing at helping me make the right choices. If you want knowledgeable people to help with your garden needs shop at Gauld!”
