As the weather gets warmer, now is the perfect time to start planning your summer garden. But with so many wonderful seasonal plants to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to begin.
In the blog below, you’ll discover what makes a great summer garden and the best planters to use in your outdoor display.
What Makes A Great Summer Plant?
The best summer plants combine long-lasting blooms, heat tolerance, strong visual impact, and low maintenance requirements.
Before choosing which plants to add to your garden, it helps to understand their care needs and which container environment is most suitable. Larger planters are perfect for updating your garden with seasonal blooms, as they allow room for a variety of planting combinations that small planters may not. They are also great for retaining moisture, which can be crucial to keeping your plants in good health over sunnier days.
Best Flowering Plants For Summer Colours
Here are some of our favourite summer plants to bring vibrant colours and blooms that last throughout the season:
- Geraniums (Pelargoniums): A classic choice for summer gardens in the UK. This plant is drought-tolerant, versatile and flowers continuously from early summer until the first frosts.
- Petunias: These plants come in a wide variety of colours and are known for their relentless blooming from late spring through to early autumn. They are relatively low-maintenance and can handle hot summers well.
- Begonias: Excellent for placing in the sun and partial shade. Begonias are perfect for containers, hanging baskets, and bedding. Popular types include tuberous begonias, wax begonias and cane/angel wing begonias.
- Calibrachoa (Million Bells): A small alternative to petunias, this plant is self-cleaning and offers continuous blooms from spring into early autumn, often lasting until the first frost.
- Salvias: These upright flowering plants add structure and height to your summer garden display and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Popular types include Caradonna (deep purple), Hot Lips (red/white), and Mystic Spires (deep blue).
Best Foliage Plants for Structure & Texture
Foliage adds depth and a professional look to large planters. Here are some foliage plants that you can add to your display to create structure and texture:
- Heuchera: This foliage comes in a variety of shades ranging from deep purple to lime green. They often keep their leaves throughout winter.
- Cordyline: This spiky foliage adds height and a dramatic, tropical feel to gardens. Ideal locations are sunny or lightly shaded spots.
- Phormium (New Zealand Flax): Ideal for modern garden designs, this architectural foliage provides year-round structure with leaf colours ranging from olive-green to purple, red, and yellow
- Ferns: Perfect for adding texture to your garden in the summer. They thrive in warm weather and love humidity, so lightly mist them during hot weather to keep them looking their best.
- Ivy: Ideal as a trailing plant on walls, fences, or as ground cover. Common varieties include English Ivy (Hedera helix) and Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata).
Large Planter Inspiration For Impactful Displays
Large planters are perfect for helping you upgrade your garden space. Our plant containers are available in a whole range of styles and colours, making it easier to find one that suits your chosen style.
Here are some of our favourite large garden planters:
Powder Coated Steel Cylinder Planter
The powder coated steel cylinder planter is a highly popular choice for residential gardens. With its clean, contemporary shape and bold presence, this large statement planter is ideal for creating an impact in your garden, on patios and when placed at entryways.
Available in 147 colour options, it can be tailored to complement any garden colour scheme.
Premium Trough Fibreglass Planter
The premium trough fibreglass planter is ideal for creating a visually striking planting arrangement. Its sleek form makes it perfect for spaces such as patios or adding structure to large garden areas.
It is available in any colour of your choice, in Matt, Satin or Gloss finishes, and can be adapted to work seamlessly with both modern and traditional garden styles
The Chelsea Box
The Chelsea box is a versatile planter suited to both traditional and contemporary gardens. This artisan design, made from fibrestone, features drainage holes as standard for outdoor use and is relatively lightweight, making it easy to position and maintain. Available in 6 sizes and 2 colours, it provides flexibility for a wide range of summer plants and shrubs.
The Powder Coated Steel Cube Planter
The powder coated steel cube planter is a standout choice if you’re looking for a planter that delivers both style and durability. Made from thick Zintec (pre-glavanised) steel, it’s built to withstand the elements while retaining its crisp, architectural appearance. Best of all, it’s available in up to 147 standard colours (with bespoke colours on request), so can be personalised to match any outdoor design.
UK Summer Care Tips for Outdoor Planters
To keep displays looking their best throughout the season, here are some of our top tips.
- Water regularly: Large containers can dry out faster than expected in the summer. It’s important to understand your plants’ maintenance requirements and how often they need watering to keep your garden display looking fresh
- Deadhead: Remove spent flowers to encourage new blooms
- Placement: Position planters based on your plants’ sunlight needs. Some plants need maximum sunlight, whereas others need shade during hot periods
- Conserve Moisture: Add mulch, such as straw or wood chippings, to your plants. This acts as a protective barrier and helps conserve moisture during the summer
Discover Your Perfect Planter At Taylor Made Planters
Here at Taylor Made Planters, we offer a range of large and small planters perfect for giving your garden a fresh new look this summer. Our planter ranges include fibreglass planters, powder coated steel planters, fibrestone planters, large wooden planters, and more.
Browse our full range of outdoor planters and get your garden summer-ready!
