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Weeds are a gardener's enemy. Lighten this summer's workload by building beautiful gardens in planters, steel tubs, decorative boxes, and more. The best part: You can plant anything in a planter as long as there's plenty of water, sunshine, and a hearty fertilizer.
What you'll need: potting soil ($10, amazon.com)
Fairy Garden
Add a little magic to your backyard with this adorable planter, complete with a mini birdhouse, rustic stones, and accessories fit for a fairy. Don't forget the pixie dust!
What you'll need: outdoor planter ($32, amazon.com), small birdhouse ($4, amazon.com)
Ladder Planter
Upcycle an old, rusty ladder by adding a fresh coat of paint and a medley of planters, flower pots, and antique boxes.
What you'll need: wooden step ladder ($55, amazon.com), handsaw ($10, amazon.com), electric drill ($28, amazon.com), wood glue ($4, amazon.com)
Living Roof Birdhouse
$50
This two-in-one planter will keep the birds in your neighborhood happy while also adding more greenery to your home. Win-win.
Vertical Planter
Limited on outdoor space? Then this simple DIY vertical planter is the solution. Plus, it can double as a privacy wall from your neighbors.
Get the tutorial at Angela Marie Made »
What you'll need: planter hooks ($16, amazon.com), flower pots ($6, amazon.com), electric drill ($28, amazon.com)
Antique Bannister Wall Planter
This DIY planter is easier (and cheaper) than it looks: Take an old bannister, attach planter hooks, and then fill planters with herbs and succulents of your choice.
Get the tutorial at Blesser House »
What you'll need: large D-ring hooks ($15, amazon.com), planter hooks ($6, crateandbarrel.com), planters ($7, amazon.com)
Pots on a Pallet
Attach clay pots to a pallet with nails and stainless steel cable ties for a living art display that keeps your rosemary and basil at the ready. Remember to space out the pots so your plants have room to grow!
What you'll need: pallet ($7, amazon.com), planter hooks ($16, amazon.com), flower pots ($6, amazon.com)
Succulents on Shutters
Lean shutters (old or new) against an exterior wall and fill slots with hearty plants such as succulents or mosses. Although succulents are nearly indestructible, place them on the shady side of your home to help them live longer.
Initial Planters
Create a signature planter by repurposing a cardboard letter. Cut off one face of the hollow initial, line with a plastic bag, then fill with soil and add small flowers like pansies or morning glories. Poke holes in the base to let excess water drain.
Get the tutorial at Hello Glow »
What you'll need: cardboard letter ($6, amazon.com)
Pocketed Plants
Hang an old canvas or over-the-door shoe organizer on a fence or wall, then fill the compartments with dirt and wispy ferns or vines. Voila — your DIY hanging planter is complete!
What you'll need: shoe organizer ($14, amazon.com)
Piled on Pots
Green up your patio or deck with oversize terracotta, steel, or plastic planters overflowing with anything from tomatoes to wildflowers. Go big: Add a wood pallet table, outdoor rug, and colorful weatherproof furniture for the ultimate relaxation zone.
What you'll need: planters ($32, amazon.com)
Birdbath Planter
Hardy succulents, which stow water in their stems and leaves, thrive in shallow birdbaths (who knew?). Pebbles not only hold more moisture in the soil but also add to the desert-inspired look.
Climbing Plants
Liven up a plain patio wall with a sun-seeking climber, like bougainvillea — the twining vertical vines balance the bushiness below. A simple stake in the dirt is all the trellis you'll need.
Stepping Stones
To create contrast and visual vibrancy, place clay planters on stairs and fill with interestingly shaped plants, from scallop-leafed geraniums to spiky, serrated agave.
What you'll need: planters ($32, amazon.com)
Parallel Planters
Instead of waiting for slow-maturing shrubs to provide privacy, use jumbo-size planters as instant screens of green. These parallel rows of foliage fake a focal point, directing garden-goers to a secluded seating spot.
Mismatched Pots
A mismatched mix of glazed, graphic pots — some overturned so there's a subtle staggering of heights — look coordinated when gathered as a group.
Mix 'n Match Herbs
Proof that you can turn a bunch of herbs into a stunning porch display. Place a variety of pots and steel tubs on a small table — and then reap the benefits.
What Your Favorite Flower Says About You
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
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