Elevate your patio: the outdoor planters redefining style
Forget the drab concrete planters of yesteryear. The landscape of outdoor décor has undergone a quiet revolution, and it’s all about finding vessels that are as aesthetically pleasing as the plants they house. For those seeking a touch of refinement without sacrificing durability, the options are surprisingly compelling—and increasingly crucial for elevating a space beyond the purely functional.
The new standard: beauty meets resilience
The capricious nature of spring in New York City—one day a tease, the next a full-blown bloom—prompted a deep dive into the market. The goal? To identify planters that transcend the grocery store aesthetic, offering a blend of enduring quality and undeniable style. While a simple terra-cotta pot has its place, the discerning homeowner seeks something more: glazed finishes, Florentine detailing, and a generally robust construction capable of withstanding the elements. Bergs Potter, in my estimation, sets the gold standard, closely followed by Williams-Sonoma’s majolica-inspired collection, with strong contenders emerging from Ferm Living and Pottery Barn.
These aren’t your average, plastic-clad containers. They’re designed to be weather-resistant and durable, capable of holding their own on a wind-whipped balcony or within a more expansive garden. The ultimate test, of course, is simple: Can it nurture a thriving basil plant? If so, the investment is justified. Below, a curated selection of planters that promise to bring both beauty and botanical success.
Spotlight on standouts: a few favorites
Bergs Potter continues to impress. Their designs, particularly the Lily, manage to evoke a sense of New Mexico’s arid beauty, regardless of your actual climate. The ability to pair them in multiples—a succulent-friendly quartet, perhaps—adds a layer of design versatility. But the true revelation comes from Williams-Sonoma's Positano Planter Collection. These hand-painted, Italian-made beauties, while lacking drainage holes (a minor caveat for such artistry), inject a dose of Riviera charm into any entryway. Who could possibly begrudge unmowed grass when a piece of Italian elegance commands attention?
For those with tighter spaces, Ferm Living’s Kurinu Planter offers a delightful solution. This petite vessel, inspired by traditional Japanese craftsmanship, is perfect for propagating seedlings or adding a touch of subtle elegance to a windowsill. And for city dwellers lacking a true garden bed, Ferm Living’s Plant Box provides a clever alternative to the ubiquitous, characterless planters that populate suburban shopping malls. Its understated color palette and rounded details elevate it far beyond the mundane.
Finally, when in doubt, consider the enduring appeal of a classic terra-cotta pot. Pottery Barn's Florence Planter, with its simple rope detailing, embodies the timeless charm of the French countryside, practically begging to be filled with wild thyme and tarragon. At nearly 38 inches across, it offers ample space for a burgeoning home garden.
The rise of “luxury planters,” as championed by Indigenus, is a fascinating development. Their stoneware, mimicking the amorphous forms of nature, transforms hard materials like clay and marble into evocative representations of droplets and pebbles—a compelling juxtaposition of material and form.
The bottom line
Investing in quality outdoor planters isn’t merely about aesthetics; it’s about creating a cohesive and inviting outdoor space. It’s about embracing design that can withstand the test of time—and the elements. And as the late Bunny Williams often said, “A beautiful garden is a reflection of the soul.”