Hanging planters, window boxes and deck rail planters, create a colorful front and backyard

The four most decorative plant pots or containers offered today that will make the biggest difference when displaying plants are:

Individual plastic or resin planters are lightweight, virtually indestructible and best of all cheap to buy.

These are your most common planter sold in garden stores. Most of these types are called fiberstone, these urns come in a more decorative shape than the greek style planter.

New for this year are the illuminated planters. These can be used anywhere you want to add path lighting or just a little bit of light to show where steps are on the patio.

Whitehall Personalized Planters give your home a more personal touch and are great for the front entranceway.

Terra Cotta planters come in many colors which you can match the blooms of your flowers.

Main planter styles

Garden urns
These are the most popular outdoor planter for the patio area and by the front entrance way of your home. Most are a Grecian style urns which replicate the details and texture of the original clay greek pots. Today they are made to be lightweight and  resistant to chipping, fading or weathering.

Window box and wall planters
Window box planters and wall mounted planters can instantly brighten up boring areas by adding texture and color around windows and on walls. These are can be made of wood, resin or plastic, fiberglass and copper.

Raised garden beds - (cedar wood)
These are ideal to place on decks, patios, around and pools. You can maintain and monitor your plants closely and provide perfect conditions for those hard-to-grow specimens with a raised bed. I like this style because if I want to move a garden to another spot, their is very little digging and I can just remove some of the dirt and pick them up and plant them in a new spot.

Hanging planters and baskets are usually reserved for annuals in the spring when we need a burst of color.

When is the best time to buy plants for your outdoor planters

Please note we are not talking about plants for hanging baskets, these are normally purchased in the spring. The end of august and beginning of September is the best time to fill your large planters and planter boxes with ornamental shrubs and perennials. It's starting to get a little cooler outside and this gives the plants time to establish themselves before the cool weather and winter.

Many nurseries are clearing out their stock and you can get some pretty big discounts. 

Use your garden planters to create more curb appeal

For new homes or for people that want to sell their home adding flowers and shrubs is a very easy way to create more curb appeal and improve your homes selling image.  Colorful plants will make your home stand out from all the others. This is important if there is more than one home for sale in your neighborhood.