Spring into Style: The Inspired Garden's Guide to Selecting Containers

Get Inspired Week 85

Your entry is the first chance to make a bold impression and set the overall feel of your home. — Caroline Harper Knapp

Photo credit: Aimee Ryan

As we gear up for the season wanted to revise this popular post. Great tips on what to look for when selecting your containers this spring.

Nothing dresses up your entryway more than two beautiful pots brimming with flowers.  Pots add a welcoming wow factor to the front of your home, and should be chosen as carefully as the plants you fill them with.  Here are a few tried and true guidelines for picking containers you’ll be proud to display on your porch year round. 

Size 

As a general rule of thumb, I find that a 15” diameter circle or a 14” square is the perfect size for pots. This is big enough for impact but not too overpowering.  When containers are too big the individual blooms don’t stand out as much.  I suggest buying taller and smaller vs. shorter and wider. The height will add interest without taking up much space.  Keep in mind that the bigger the pot the more expensive it is to fill.  

Weight

Consider the weight of the pot before you lug it home from the nursery.  You may have your heart set on an elegant cast stone container,  but your back will pay the price when you try to move it before a storm, an unexpected frost, or into storage for the winter.  Mobility will come into play more often than you might expect.  

Materials

Containers should be frost resistant if you want to display them all year long. Switch out your set if you choose a material that isn’t suitable for all seasons.  Terra-cotta pots crack in freezing temperatures.  Metal pots bake the soil in extreme summer heat.  Ceramic pots will break if blown over by strong winds.  I highly recommend fiberglass pots!  They are lightweight, look natural, come in many styles, and can withstand all weather conditions.  

Design

Whether you prefer a rustic look, or something more ornate, your flowers should complement the pots you put them in. You don’t want the containers competing with the blooms.  I personally prefer an understated, simple design that allows the flowers to steal the show.  I always suggest buying just two matching pots, but if you want more, buy in odd numbers and stick with one color scheme.

Drainage

Before purchasing, make sure your planter can drain. The majority of outdoor pots have drainage holes but if not, you can drill holes with a masonry drill bit.  

Shopping

The best time of year to purchase pots is in the spring.  Finding two matching containers at a nursery can be difficult so shop early before they run out.  I also suggest shopping online at Amazon, Wayfair, West Elm, Terrain, or Crate & Barrel.  

Invest!

Photo credit: Anna Herbst

Front entry pots make a big first impression with a very small footprint, and dramatically improve your curb appeal.  Purchasing good containers is money well spent. Choose wisely and your entrance will look spectacular all year long.  

Looking for more garden design inspiration? Check out our all-online, go-at-your-own-pace course: Designing Luxurious Gardens and Containers: The Inspired Garden Masterclass. With new garden and container designs dropping each season, we can help you achieve the garden of your dreams in 2025 and beyond. Join us today and learn how to design like the pros!

Happy Planting!

Laura