Complete Gardening
Explore the world of artistic garden containers that elevate your outdoor space into a museum of creativity and inspiration.
These unique planters not only showcase the beauty of plants but also add a touch of personality to your garden, making it a place where art and nature coexist.
Each container tells its own story, transforming ordinary gardens into extraordinary exhibitions.
1. Old Teapots and Kettles
Old teapots and kettles bring a sense of whimsy and nostalgia to any garden. These charming containers, often found in antique shops, provide a unique way to showcase small plants and flowers. The intricate designs and vibrant colors of the teapots create a playful atmosphere.
Imagine a quaint garden corner where each teapot tells a story of bygone tea parties and family gatherings. Their mismatched appearances add character and charm, making them a conversation starter. A fun fact: using teapots as planters originated from the need to repurpose household items during times of scarcity.
2. Vintage Birdcages
Vintage birdcages offer an enchanting way to elevate your garden’s aesthetic. Their delicate wireframes and ornate details make them perfect for hanging plants. Inside, lush ivy or cascading blooms create a beautiful contrast against the rustic metal.
Placed strategically, these birdcages bring height and interest to a garden space, drawing the eye upwards. The history of birdcages dates back centuries, adding a touch of elegance and history. Whether hung from trees or mounted on hooks, they transform ordinary gardens into ethereal sanctuaries.
3. Repurposed Rain Boots
Repurposed rain boots add a splash of color and whimsy to gardens. Perfect for small spaces, they showcase the playful side of gardening. Each boot overflows with flowers, bringing cheer and personality to the landscape.
Positioned along pathways or garden beds, they create a whimsical trail of blooms. The idea originated as a way to reuse outgrown or worn-out boots, turning them into delightful planters. These boots, once a necessity for rainy days, now brighten gardens with their unexpected charm.
4. Wicker Baskets (lined)
Lined wicker baskets introduce rustic elegance to gardens. Natural materials and textures make them a favorite among gardeners. Lined with fabric, they provide a cozy home for a variety of plants.
Whether placed on patios or nestled among garden beds, these baskets add organic charm. Historically, wicker weaving dates back to ancient Egypt, showcasing its timeless appeal. As planters, they blend seamlessly into any garden style, offering both beauty and functionality.
5. Hollowed-Out Tree Stumps
Hollowed-out tree stumps make striking natural planters. They blend effortlessly into garden landscapes, offering a sustainable option. Filled with native flowers, they create mini-ecosystems that attract pollinators.
Their rugged appearance contrasts beautifully with delicate blossoms, adding depth to garden design. Once towering trees, they now serve as reminders of nature’s cycle. These stumps, repurposed, provide a habitat for plants, insects, and small wildlife, enriching garden biodiversity.
6. Antique Drawers or Dressers
Antique drawers and dressers add a touch of vintage flair to gardens. Their layered design allows for creative planting arrangements. Herbs, flowers, and succulents find their home in these unique containers.
Placed against garden walls, they become living art installations. The history behind each piece adds intrigue and character. Originally crafted for practical storage, these dressers now serve as charming planters, bridging past and present with style.
7. Colanders or Strainers
Colanders and strainers bring a quirky touch to garden spaces. Their perforated designs ensure excellent drainage for plants. Hung from hooks or branches, they make delightful hanging planters.
Brightly colored or vintage metal versions add personality and charm. Originally kitchen staples, these items find new life outdoors, offering a playful twist on traditional planters. Perfect for herbs or small flowers, they invite creativity and whimsy into gardening.
8. Old Toy Trucks or Wagons
Old toy trucks and wagons bring nostalgia to gardens. These whimsical containers are perfect for succulents and small plants. Their playful appearance evokes memories of childhood adventures.
Placed strategically, they add a sense of fun and creativity. Once beloved toys, they now serve as charming planters, celebrating the joy of discovery. These nostalgic pieces invite storytelling, making gardens a place of wonder and imagination.
9. Suitcases or Trunks
Suitcases and trunks offer a vintage charm to garden spaces. Their sturdy build and spacious interiors make them ideal for a variety of plants. Filled with vibrant flowers, they create eye-catching displays.
Closed or open, they add depth and interest to garden design. Each piece carries a history of travel and adventure, now rooted in gardens as unique planters. Their transformation from travel companions to garden art adds an element of surprise and delight.
10. Hanging Gutter Planters
Hanging gutter planters introduce innovation to gardening. Their long, narrow shape suits small spaces, ideal for herbs and trailing plants. Suspended from walls or eaves, they create vertical gardens.
The idea emerged from urban gardening challenges, offering solutions for limited spaces. Gutters, once functional for rain, now channel growth and greenery. These planters transform mundane objects into creative garden features, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics.
11. Broken Terracotta Pot Art (Fairy Gardens)
Broken terracotta pots become enchanting fairy gardens. Their cracked edges and earthy tones blend seamlessly with nature. Inside, tiny landscapes of moss, miniature furniture, and succulents create magical worlds.
These creative planters invite imagination and storytelling, perfect for children and the young at heart. Once discarded, these pots find new purpose, becoming homes for fairies and sparking wonder in gardens. Their transformation into art pieces reflects creativity and sustainability.
12. Wall-Mounted Wooden Crates
Wall-mounted wooden crates offer rustic elegance and functionality. Their sturdy construction provides ample space for plants, turning walls into green havens. Herbs and small flowers thrive in these vertical planters.
Originally used for storage, crates find new life as garden art. Mounted on fences or walls, they bring greenery to unexpected places. These planters combine practicality with rustic charm, enhancing garden aesthetics and maximizing space.
13. Repurposed Musical Instruments (e.g., guitar bodies)
Repurposed musical instruments add a harmonious touch to gardens. Guitar bodies and other instruments become unique planters, housing vibrant flowers. Their artistic shapes and history of music bring creativity and flair.
Imagine walking through a garden where music once played, now replaced by the gentle rustle of leaves. These planters celebrate the fusion of art forms, turning gardens into symphonies of color and design.
14. Concrete Busts or Statues with Plants as “Hair”
Concrete busts and statues provide a stately backdrop for garden creativity. Plants styled as ‘hair’ add humor and life to otherwise stoic figures. Ferns, moss, and trailing plants create a living crown.
These unique planters offer a playful twist on classical art. Once symbols of grandeur, they now embody a joyful blend of nature and sculpture. Their transformation delights and surprises garden visitors, inviting laughter and admiration.
15. Upcycled Paint Cans or Tins
Upcycled paint cans and tins add an industrial edge to gardens. Their metallic surfaces and bright colors make striking planters. Filled with diverse flowers, they create lively garden displays.
Once discarded, these cans find new purpose, highlighting sustainability. Their transformation into garden art reflects creativity and eco-consciousness, turning ordinary objects into vibrant garden features.