Plants have been grown in decorative and utilitarian types of garden planters for thousands of years. From early mosaic artifacts it is known that the ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks grew aromatic plants in garden planters. It was a practical and efficient growing technique, especially in areas where the soil was poor or shallow.
In southern Spain, during the early part of the second millennium, the Moors created wonderfully decorative, enclosed and intimate gardens using many planters.
It was not until the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries however, that there was a great blossoming of creative gardening. Inspired by the Italians, these designs frequently featured garden planters overflowing with all kinds of plants. In Northern Europe, citrus fruit trees were grown in garden planters, emulating the plantings of the Mediterranean countries. The fruit trees, in their garden planters, were then wheeled outdoors in the warmer weather to decorate formal paved areas.
In Victorian England production of all types of garden planters, small as well as large, proliferated during the nineteenth century. They manufactured copies of classical urns in cast iron as well as the traditional materials of wood, stone, lead, and terracotta. They made elaborate, garlanded and swagged garden planters for standing on terraces beside well manicured lawns, and in summer planted them with tender exotics that had been nurtured in their greenhouses.
We make one style of classic square planter available in two sizes: 22″W x 24″H which holds a standard 7 gallon 14″ nursery pot and 18″W x 19.5″H which holds a standard 3 gallon 10″ nursery pot. This allows for easy removal and planting, and with no soil in the planter itself they will last indefinitely. Planters can be stained to any colour.
Pyramids/Tuteurs
We also make complementary pyramids or tuteurs, from the original French name, that sit atop the planters adding an element of drama and visual scale while also acting as a plant trellis.
15″W x 53″H
11″W x 38.5″H