Planter Box
Key Characteristics
- ✓Elevated container for growing plants above ground level
- ✓Available in a wide range of sizes and proportions
- ✓Requires drainage holes to prevent root rot
- ✓Portable or permanently installed options
- ✓Creates gardening opportunities on hard surfaces
- ✓Adds structure and height to landscape compositions
Types & Variations
Common Materials
Works Well With These Styles
Placement & Usage Tips
Use planter boxes to define the edges of outdoor living areas, flank entry points, or create a visual screen along a deck railing. Group planters in odd numbers and vary the heights for visual interest. Ensure adequate drainage in every planter, and elevate pots slightly off the surface with feet or risers to prevent staining and allow water to escape freely.
💡 Pro Tip
Line wooden planter boxes with a heavy-duty pond liner before filling with soil to dramatically extend the life of the wood by preventing constant moisture contact. Leave drain holes open through the liner. For large planters, fill the bottom third with lightweight filler like packing peanuts or empty plastic bottles before adding soil to reduce weight and improve drainage.
Related Terms
Softscape
The living, horticultural elements of a landscape design, including plants, trees, shrubs, flowers, and ground cover that complement the hardscape features.
Trellis
A framework of light wooden or metal bars used as a support for climbing plants, often serving as a decorative screen or garden partition.
Retaining Wall
A structural wall designed to hold back soil and resist the lateral pressure of earth, used to manage grade changes and create level areas in sloped landscapes.