A garden filled with pot luck

Now’s a good time to revamp your outside space with a clutch of cool containers. Hannah Stephenson checks out some new pots to perk up your patio

Every year I have a number of casualties among my terracotta pots, which end up broken or cracked in the depths of winter.

Replacing them can be hard thanks to the plethora of garden pots available both from retailers and online, from huge Grecian-style glazed urns, to light resin contemporary planters.

While some manufacturers claim their terracotta pots are frostproof or frost resistant, it is advisable to take care of them in order to minimise any risk of flaking and cracking. Glazed terracotta pots are generally more frostproof and sturdier than unglazed.

Move terracotta pots near to the house during the winter months or wrap them in bubble wrap or horticultural fleece to protect them – and ensure you have adequate drainage holes and drainage material in the pot.

If you do need to refresh your garden pots, there are possibilities for all tastes:

DESIGNER PLANTER

Laura Ashley has branched out on to the garden scene with a new range of frostproof glazed terracotta pots in pastel blue, available in selected Wyevale Garden Centres and fully available across 108 stores from £6.99-£34.99. For stockists, visit www. wyevalegardencentres.co.uk

LIGHTING UP TIME

Soft lighting can create a great ambience in the garden – and you can highlight your plants with Dutch design company Elho’s flower light which features a contemporary planter with the stylish solar light connected by a wooden frame. Available in white, anthracite and mint, Flower Light charges by natural sunlight. RRP £34.99. For stockists, visit www. elho.com

WATER-WISE STYLE

Lechuza has come out with another stylish contemporary planter, the Cubeto bowl planter, ideal for lower-growing plants, either for permanent or temporary planting.

It’s a smooth, bowl-shaped lower-tothe-ground pot made from lightweight plastic, but it looks a lot like stone and comes with a sub-irrigation system featuring a colour-coordinated liner, drain plug, a water level indicator which reduces risk of over-watering and a water supply shaft which makes watering easy. Available in stone grey, sand beige or classic black. From £17.99, www. lechuza.co.uk

YAKUTA WATER JARS

If you want something bespoke that noone else will have, look no further than Roundwood’s unique Chinese vases, finished with a stunning hand-painted glaze. They come in a range of sizes, from small pots to huge urns in greens, blues, yellows and browns.

Prices range from around £9 upwards, depending on size, from Roundwood of Mayfield (www.roundwood.com).

TUDOR TWIST

A uniquely shaped wooden planter from specialists Lichfield Planters has an unusual twist reminiscent of a Tudor chimney pot.

It’s constructed with square lengths of Scandinavian red pine treated with a high quality, plant-friendly, waterrepellant preservative.

The floor of the planter is 30cm from the top, so you don’t need to fill it up completely with compost. Weighing more than 25kg (size 35cm x 35cm x 80cm), it’s stable even in strong winds. Priced £125 from www. thelichfieldplantercompany.co.uk

COLOUR STATEMENT

Eye-catching planters can look amazing against a plain white house wall or minimalist backdrop.

Satu Bumi egg planters in white base, black dip and gold band provide a splash of rich, vibrant colour in a minimalist setting. They are made from glass fibre reinforced concrete which is frostproof. Available in three sizes, from £90.

For stockists details visit www. laminvale.co.uk or phone 01949 844 871

BACK TO NATURE

New for this year is a natural-looking range of lightweight, frost resistant contemporary planters in the Nature collection from Cadix.

The lightweight pots are equipped with a special rib structure that uses hydrograins to keep plants healthy and provide smooth water drainage.

For stockists details, visit www.cadix. co.uk/stockists

Clockwise from left: the Satu Bumi Egg planter from Laminvale; the flower light pot from elho.com; the Laura Ashley pot, from Wyevale Garden Centre; and the Nature collection, from Cadix.