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GREAT CONTAINERS AT ANY PRICE

April 27, 2016

Yesterday I wrote about the factors to consider when choosing a container. You can read it here, but I broke it down to four factors:

  1. Size (err on the side of bigger)
  2. Style (what suits your house, garden and personal preferences)
  3. Material (will you leave it out all year or have to move it)
  4. Price
Now I’m going to share some sources for containers that I’ve found in my rather exhaustive searches. There are three sources that I’m not going to get into: shopping locally, which is really the best option because you tell so much more about a container you can see in person, and building your own, like I did here. I also think that vintage or repurposed containers are very cool, but I think that’s one of those things you have to be on the lookout for at thrift stores or garage sales.
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$ BUDGET FRIENDLY
Amazon has some good looking planters for prices that won’t completely break the bank, but it takes a little looking. Gardener’s Supply also has some nice options, but look for their occasional coupons and sales to bring the price down more. Also consider checking non-traditional stores such as feed mills.
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Big box stores are worth checking too, but again, you really have to pick carefully. The dimensions listed on some planters are often way off (especially on Target’s site; what is up with that?) and you’re right to be concerned about longevity with some of these. But if you’re not ready for a lifetime commitment to a container, this can be a great way to go.

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$$ MODERATELY PRICED
The next level of expense are planters that I’ve mostly found at stores more traditionally associated with furniture. Although I’ve not seen all of these in person, the ones I have seen have been of good quality and I’m certain they would survive for a few years at least. Crate and Barrel and West Elm tend to have designs that are little more modern, whereas Ballard Designs has more traditional planters. Grandin Road (sort of a less expensive version of Frontgate) has some nice options as well.
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$$$ INVESTMENT GRADE
Once you’re ready to spend enough money to quality as an investment, you should be expecting planters that are extremely high quality, will last for many years and will hurt a little when you place that order. But if you know what you need and you’re not planning on moving anytime soon, they can be a good place to look. Restoration Hardware has nailed some great designs in recent year. Their prices can be shocking but my tip is to stalk the RH Outlet store near you. The people there are very nice and unless they are very busy will tell you exactly what they have in stock when you call. Frontgate also has some excellent designs, although I’ve never seen them in person, in general their products seem to be of good quality. There are also planter-specific companies including Hooks & Lattice and Campania International that have some very nice options in this higher price range.
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$$$$ LOTTERY WINNER/HEIRLOOM QUALITY
This top tier is reserved for very, very special locations or for planters you want to pass down to your kids. It probably goes without saying, but if you are seriously considering dropping this kind of money on a planter, be very sure it’s what you want and what will work for many years to come. And that’s not to say that I wouldn’t want everyone of these in a heartbeat. It should come as no surprise that my first place to look for these dream containers is the amazing Branch Studio, the structure design side of Deborah Silver’s business but amazing vintage objects, traditional designs and internationally crafted beauties fall under this category as well.
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containers planters
by Erin @ The Impatient Gardener 
2 Comments

About Erin @ The Impatient Gardener

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previous post: HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT CONTAINER
next post: ONE ROOM CHALLENGE: WEEK 4

Comments

  1. Garden Fancy says: April 28, 2016 at 1:22 am

    If you have Aldi near you, they have some amazing deals on large containers, plant stands, etc., right now. I just bought some 16" planters for $9.99, and they have 20" ones for $16.

    Reply
    • Erin Schanen says: April 28, 2016 at 7:03 pm

      Great tip! Thank you!

      Reply

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The Impatient Gardener

Do you love gardening? Me too! I'm Erin and I garden in Southeastern Wisconsin, zone 5. The Impatient Gardener is all about real-life gardening: the good parts, the bad bits and even the funny stuff. It's part information, part inspiration and a little bit commiseration. Thanks for visiting.

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Erin Schanen 🌿 The Impatient Gardener
In a few days ‘Rosy Teacups’ dogwood is going In a few days ‘Rosy Teacups’ dogwood is going to be absolutely spectacular. There are so many bracts!
I just love doubledile viburnums that present thei I just love doubledile viburnums that present their flowers on a serving plate all neat and orderly. This is ‘Shoshani,’ which I got from Classic Virburbums.
When choosing plants for a container I think it’ When choosing plants for a container I think it’s best to start with one “hero” plant. It can fill any role in the container, but it should be the one that’s non-negotiable in your mind. The one you love the most. Then work from there to decide what plants you need to make the design work. For me, and in particular when it comes to this urn in the middle of my patio garden bed, which is a riot of color and texture that borders on chaotic, texture is the key. So I designed this container with an out-of-box hero plant (Lemony Lace elderberry) and then chose a few other plants to create a simple but bold design that will stand out from everything happening around it. See the whole design and how I chose the plants in my video today (easy link in stories).
On the far edge of the property there is an only l On the far edge of the property there is an only lilac that in our 20 years here has done nothing more than produce a few sporadic blooms. The other night I looked out and saw it full of blooms (well, more than it’s ever had) and immediately made myself a bouquet. To be honest they are almost too fragrant. I need to have a window open to have them inside or it’s full-on Yankee candle (an apt description borrowed from a friend). I absolutely love them in this mustard vase from @wakefield_handmade
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