LOW MAINTENANCE PLANTS FOR POTS AND CONTAINERS

Anyone with a busy life knows just how challenging it can be to keep on top of the garden. With growing demand for gardens that are easier to care for, container planting is one solution that gives plenty of impact with far less work.

Durable planters, such as those made of Corten steel, deliver on impact while standing up to the UK’s often less-than-ideal weather. If you’re after a low-effort garden that looks fantastic all year round, combining high-quality planters with low maintenance plants for pots is an attractive solution.

Why Choose Containers for Low Maintenance Gardening?

Containers such as contemporary garden planters reduce the amount of time you spend working on your garden, which gives you more time to enjoy it. Unlike planting directly into the soil, planters offer better drainage control and easier soil management, allowing your plants to thrive.

Raised bed planters and other planter types also reduce weeds by reducing contact with the ground. They are highly flexible and can be placed wherever you want. This makes containers well-suited to modern homes, where the soil isn’t always ideal for effective plant growth.

Some of the plants you can grow in containers include:

1. Evergreen Shrubs for Year-Round Structure

Evergreen plants for pots in the UK are an excellent way to get year-round colour into your garden, with all-season interest that makes them well-suited for prominent placement at property entrances.

The low pruning requirements of evergreens are particularly beneficial for casual or infrequent gardeners, as they remain neat and tidy for much longer.

Some suggestions for evergreens that make the best plants for garden planters include:

• Box (Buxus)
• Skimmia
• Hebe
• Dwarf conifer

2. Drought-Tolerant Plants for Pots

While drought doesn’t seem like something we often encounter in the rainy UK, there are times in the year when plants may see a bit more sun – and need extra TLC as a result. Drought-tolerant plants for pots don’t have this issue, making them ideal if you don’t fancy picking up the watering can.

As easy plants for outdoor pots in the UK, these hardy options thrive in well-drained steel planters on patios and balconies and are unlikely to wilt if you forget to water them once or twice.

Some suggestions for drought-tolerant plants include:

• Lavender
• Sedum
• Heuchera
• Ornamental grasses
• Erysimum

3. Architectural Plants for Modern Planters

Want to make a statement for your modern home but still don’t want to spend all your time gardening? Architectural plants tick all the boxes when paired with Corten steel planters for a bold, attention-drawing look.

The strong, upright shapes of architectural plants are the perfect complement for clean-lined steel containers. Choosing a powder coated planter can offer even greater flexibility to match your style with a wide range of colourways.

Some suggestions for architectural plants include:

• Phormium
• Cordyline
• Olive trees
• Bamboo (clump-forming varieties)

4. Low Maintenance Plants for Shaded Areas

If your garden is on the shadier side, you want plants that can survive effectively without direct sunlight. Raised beds and deep containers are the best fit for these kinds of plants, ensuring they have all the resources needed for successful growth.

Low maintenance plants for containers that prefer shade are a good fit for north-facing entrances in particular, preventing the plants around your doorstep from wilting and creating an untidy first impression.

Some suggestions for shaded area plants include:

• Ferns
• Hostas
• Ivy
• Japanese forest grass

Choosing the Right Planter for Long-Term Success

The key to healthy, attractive plants is choosing the correct planter. A planter that rots or cracks will be high maintenance in the long term, forcing you to replant. Proper drainage is also vital for the health and longevity of your chosen plants.

Corten steel containers are long-lasting and weather-resistant, keeping your garden looking beautiful for months and years following planting. Powder-coloured options are also available to match your preferred style.

Our range of planters at WEATHER IT is designed to last and look great while doing it, providing you with a solution that’s flexible, reliable and attractive looking year-round.

Simple Tips to Keep Container Plants Low Maintenance

Once you’ve selected your choice of low maintenance plants, the next step is keeping them happy and healthy. Here are a few quick tips to make gardening easier:

• Use slow-release fertiliser
• Install irrigation spikes
• Choose the right compost
• Group plants with similar watering needs
• Use steel edging to reduce spillover

Final Thoughts: Effortless Planting with Lasting Impact

Low maintenance doesn’t mean low style – with a strong planter layout and the right plants, you can have lasting kerb appeal without any of the extra work. WEATHER IT’s planter range is the ideal way to take the effort out of maintaining a great garden. Explore our Corten steel and modular planters online today.