Wooden planters as design statements: form meets function in the summer garden

13 August 2025

There is something quietly joyful about a garden in summer. It becomes a place where mornings are for tea under a soft dawn and evenings linger with the scent of lavender in warm air. But a beautiful summer garden does not appear by chance. It is shaped by the choices you make, from the planting schemes you curate to the structures you introduce. One such structure often overlooked yet profoundly impactful is the wooden planter.

Far beyond being mere containers, wooden planters for summer gardens serve as design statements, combining practicality with aesthetic elegance. They add structure, enhance planting schemes, and guide the eye through your outdoor space, transforming even the smallest courtyard into a layered, inviting retreat.

Decorative trellis, trompe l'oeil, and planters painted in Farrow & Ball Breakfast Room Green

The design impact of wooden planters

Wooden planters are more than functional vessels for your favourite dahlias or trailing geraniums. They anchor a space, bringing visual rhythm and balance to patios, terraces and garden borders. Placed thoughtfully, they can guide movement through a garden, frame entrances, or draw attention to a favourite view.

The warmth of timber blends beautifully with summer planting palettes, softening hard landscaping while creating a seamless connection between the built environment and the natural. Whether you are working with a small urban terrace or a sprawling country garden, planters offer flexibility and charm, allowing you to adapt planting schemes as the seasons change.

Two pictures side-by-side: a wooden planter with a pretty bay tree and a painted Versailles Planter with shaped box.

Bespoke wooden planters for a tailored fit

The beauty of investing in bespoke wooden planters lies in their ability to reflect your garden’s unique style while meeting its practical needs. At The Garden Trellis Company, our bespoke wooden planters are crafted with attention to proportion, scale and finish, ensuring each piece complements your outdoor space.

Whether you prefer a classic rectangular planter for lavender-lined pathways or a trellis-backed planter for climbing sweet peas in a courtyard corner, bespoke designs offer flexibility while elevating the aesthetic quality of your garden.

Kitchen garden with bespoke planters and trellis

Creating zones and layers with planters

Planters are invaluable for zoning garden spaces. In summer gardens, they can:

Frame outdoor dining areas with aromatic herbs like rosemary, mint and thyme.
Add height and structure with small trees, tall grasses or climbers on trellis-backed planters.
Softly divide areas while maintaining openness, perfect for gardens where relaxation and entertaining blend seamlessly.
Enhance entrances and pathways, adding a sense of arrival and guiding movement naturally.

These layered planting opportunities not only improve the visual appeal of your garden but also encourage biodiversity, bringing pollinators closer to your living spaces.

Two images side-by-side of painted wooden planters

A sustainable and lasting choice

Choosing wooden planters crafted from high-quality, sustainably sourced timber is an investment in the longevity and health of your garden. Timber ages beautifully, developing a patina that sits comfortably in natural surroundings while withstanding the demands of the British climate. With proper care, these planters become enduring companions, providing structure and beauty season after season. You can even take them with you when you move house, especially if the planter is home to a sentimental rose, or tree.

Garden patio with stairs, greenery, a table and chairs, and a small tree in a planter.

Planning your summer garden with wooden planters

When planning your summer garden, consider the role planters can play in achieving the sanctuary you seek:

Combine textures by pairing the warm grains of timber with billowing summer perennials and fragrant herbs.
Play with heights by mixing large statement planters with smaller accent pieces.
Embrace seasonal flexibility, allowing you to update your garden’s look simply by changing planting schemes.
Introduce bespoke planters that echo other timber features in your garden, such as trellis panels or wooden gates, for a cohesive design.

Bespoke Planters and Trellis painted Orford Cream in a formal courtyard garden

Elevate your garden with wooden planters

As summer unfurls, let your garden reflect your personal style and love for nature by incorporating wooden planters as design statements. They embody the essence of form meeting function, providing a flexible, beautiful way to shape your outdoor space while supporting the health of your plants.

Whether you wish to refresh a terrace, frame a secluded seating area, or create a stunning layered display, our bespoke wooden planters at The Garden Trellis Company can help you realise your vision.

We also have a beautiful range of wooden planters in fixed sizes, ready to order online. The Prestige planters are handmade in our Essex workshop and are endorsed by the RHS. All the planters can be painted in one of eleven paint colours for a beautiful finish that matches other painted woodwork in your garden.