Whether terracotta, concrete or metal, outdoor plant pots are an excellent way of brightening up a garden14 March 2019

Pots can make a huge difference, both in cottage and small gardens, introducing greenery and florals into naturally sparse spaces, allowing herbs to flourish and bringing an extra pop of colour either through what’s in them or the pot itself.

Ronny de Konig of Petersham Nurseries advises, “we recommend investing in good quality pots. One of our favourites are the terracotta variety that are made in the French region of Anduze. They become more beautiful with age as their patina develops with the weathering process. We like to display pots of different shapes and sizes together, a low bowl with a taller urn for example, to create an interesting composition. We plant with trailing varieties such as Erigeron-karvinskianus (Mexican-Daisy), Muehlenbeckia and scented geraniums which have become recoginsed now as some of our signature plants. We obviously often use herbs not only for their fragrance but also for their practical use. Combine these with citrus trees in the larger pots for a classically Mediterranean look.”

From large terracotta pots to wooden planters and small metal vessels for herbs, browse below for inspiration of how best to use outdoor plant stands.

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This small roof garden features potted herbs on rustic shelves, which offer a fantastic way of maximising on space outdoors.

Designerhttps://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/interiors/real-homes/london-terrace-restoration Jane Gowers discovered her London terrace house by chance, but its restoration and decoration have been the result of good judgement and a sympathetic approach.

• Paul Massey2/14Helen Fraser and Non Morris, founders of garden-design company, Fraser & Morris, haven’t let space restrictions stop them from creating an abundantly green and wonderfully lush garden, complete with a beautiful fig tree. Think big, people.
• Simon Brown3/14This west London garden belongs to designer Butter Wakefield and is filled with apple crates overflowing with knapweed, daisies and wild carrot and there are planters of orange, salvia and cow parsley.
• Rachael Smith4/14This collection of pots arranged in front of an outdoor mirror in the west London garden of interior designer Louise Jones brings a touch of the countryside to her city space. They are planted with a combination of white geraniums, cosmos and lobelia.
• Alex James5/14The tiny courtyard at the home of the interior designer Helen Green comprises of simple but elegant touches: a trellis of roses, a feature stone water plinth and plants potted in a variety of vessels, from wooden crates to wicker baskets and pewter milk pails.
• Andrew Montgomery6/14Small garden? Pot your flowers in buckets for a chic look. (Just remember to make drainage holes to ensure they don’t drown.) This also allows you to protect them easily over winter.
• 7/14A display at Petersham Nurseries, with an abundance of pots in different shapes and sizes.
• 8/14Small terracotta pot, £7.50, from Petersham Nurseries.

• 9/14This roof terrace makes the most of its incredible architectural view while maintaining complete privacy for the creation of two ‘rooms’; one for dining, the other relaxing. Seasonal flowers soften the planting, while pots are positioned to create focal points and draw the eye. A circular table with a central hornbeam trained to the shape of a parasol offers a creative shade from the sun. Cameron Gardens
• 10/14“I like to look in junk shops and vintage fairs for interesting planters and old terracotta pots,” says Charlie McCormick of his balcony garden.
• 11/14RHS glazed cylinder pot, £29.99, from Wyevale Garden Centre.
• 12/14Set of two metal planters, £40, from Habitat.

• Alessio Mei13/14Create an archway effect down passageways with looming potted plants as seen at Riad Madani in Morocco, where potted bananas are interspersed with young Philodendron Bipinnatidum.
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