Planter Benches

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Planter benches are a great cross between practical garden furniture and containers for your flowering plants, shrubs or even small trees. They offer a focal point in your garden and help break up your landscaping in interesting ways. This allows you to create definition in your yard and elevate your flower plantings from traditional ground-level flower beds. Tuck one in the corner of your garden to get away from all distractions, or place it in the center of your lawn as a showpiece.

Tara Gosselin Interior Design Expert

Tara is a San Antonio-based award-winning landscape architect, writer and educator, passionate about eco-friendly solutions and growing her own food. She knows all it takes to help you create a sustainable backyard retreat that combines blissful charm with a modern take on landscaping.

16 Recommendations and 161 Ideas

Updated 12/07/2023

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Planter Benches

Buying Guide

What's the best material and color for a planter bench?

The best material and color for planter benches are hard and softwood in natural finishes because they blend seamlessly with the outdoor environment. As a raw material, wood is easy to work with and has natural coloring, yet some types are more durable than others for holding up to harsh outdoor weathering.

For the ultimate in durability and resistance to weather, look for cypress or teak materials in light to dark honey shades. The natural oils found in these materials act as a preservative, keeping your planter bench looking better, longer. It also creates an ideal, safe environment for growing plants by being resistant to rot and decay. These oils also act as a natural pest repellent to protect your plants.

Also, consider redwood for low maintenance and long-term durability for a planter bench. Redwood needs sealing to prevent cracking and lock in the natural reddish colors, which can turn grey if left untreated.

Softwoods, such as cedar and pine, need constant attention to keep from decaying in the natural outdoor elements. Choose these if you don’t mind adding stain every so often to avoid rotting.

What's the best spot for a planter bench?

There are three options to choose from when it comes to finding the best spot for a planter bench.

Firstly, planter benches should be placed in open areas so they can be seen and admired. Secondly, place them along a garden fence for a more formal look. And lastly, place them anywhere in the garden where you can sit comfortably.

The thing to keep in mind when choosing the perfect spot for your planter bench is that it will actually hold your plants (so obvious but often forgotten!) and, thus, depending on the type of your plants, you will need different amount of sunlight. For this reason, if you have plants that enjoy exposure to the sun, such as lavender, butterfly weed, and Russian sage, your planter bench should be placed in direct sunlight. Alternatively, Foxglove, Primrose, and Dead nettle really enjoy the shade and if you have these, place your planter bench in shady parts of the garden.

What plants are great for a planter bench?

If you've recently invested in planter benches, then you'll want to fill them with plants that grow well and look good inside these attractive containers. There are a few evergreen options that provide an all-year-round feature in your planter benches. This saves you time on replanting annual flowers, and the bonus is that they don't need much maintenance.

Some of the best options for evergreen plants include Dwarf Cherry Laurel, Pittorsporum varieties, and Arborvitae. For quick-growing options, bamboo makes a suitable and lush foliage choice. For more colorful options, Myrtle Spurge and Golden Breath of Heaven will make your planter benches pop with color and vibrancy.

If you're going for a simple or minimalist look, then green foliage like dark green Mexican Orange, and Chartreuse Japanese forest grass are highly recommended. Alternatively, those who want to make their planter benches not just aesthetically appealing but functional as well should consider going for herbs, veggies and berries such as parsley, thyme, chives, and tarragon.

Blueberry and raspberry plants are also a great alternative but do require a bit more planting space. However, if you've got a planter bench that's at least 24 inches deep, these varieties will thrive.