There's something magical about adding substantial containers and water features to your garden. They create focal points, add vertical interest, and provide opportunities for dramatic plantings that might not work in your landscape. Today, we're taking you behind the scenes as we install several stunning cast stone planters and a beautiful fountain in our upstate New York garden.

Choosing the Right Containers for Your Space

When selecting containers for your garden, size matters! We recently invested in several statement pieces that will transform our outdoor spaces:

The Karima Extra Large Planter

This impressive container is a showstopper at 36 inches wide and 30 inches tall, weighing in at a substantial 354 pounds. We selected it in Alpine stone, which offers beautiful blue-green tones that complement our garden's color palette.

What makes this planter special:

• Its clean, contemporary lines without fussy ornamentation
• The substantial size that can support dramatic plantings
• The neutral coloration that enhances rather than competes with plants

For the centerpiece of this container, we're transplanting one of our 'Rise Up Lilac Days' roses and adding a trellis for support. We may even companion-plant it with a clematis for that classic rose-and-clematis pairing we love so much.

The Karima Large Planters

At 30 inches wide and 23.5 inches tall (weighing 233 pounds each), these "large" planters are still substantial statement pieces. We've positioned them strategically around our terrace to create a cohesive design:

• Full Sun Location: One planter will feature an El Niño Ceanothus (California Lilac) as its centerpiece, supporting our purple and pink color theme with its beautiful "desert orchid" pink blooms.
• Part Sun Location: Another planter will house a dark-leaved Alocasia (Elephant Ear) for dramatic contrast and tropical flair.
• Shade Location: For our shadier spot, we're planning to use a Chandelier Plant (Medinilla 'Happiness') that's currently growing indoors. Its bright foliage will pop beautifully in this darker area.

Pascal Urns

We also installed two Pascal urns (103 pounds each) in our "protégé area" near the elevated beds. Their clean lines and classical shape provide beautiful architectural elements that frame the space. We're still debating whether to plant them with:

• Edibles like compact berry bushes to complement the nearby vegetable beds
• Colorful annuals for vibrant seasonal interest

Moving Heavy Garden Containers Safely

Moving containers that weigh hundreds of pounds requires planning and care. Here are some tips from our experience:

1. Use the right equipment: We relied on our Gorilla Cart, which can hold up to 800 pounds, to transport the planters from our garage to their destinations.
2. Take your time: Moving carefully and methodically prevents accidents and injuries.
3. Get help when needed: For our heaviest pieces, we called in reinforcements rather than risking injury.
4. Protect your back: Remember proper lifting technique—bend at the knees, not the waist, and use your legs rather than your back to lift.
5. Create temporary ramps: When moving containers up stairs or over thresholds, temporary plywood ramps can be invaluable.

Setting Up Containers for Success

Once your containers are in position, proper setup ensures healthy plants and easy maintenance throughout the season.

Elevating for Drainage

Proper drainage is essential for container gardens. We elevated our planters using pot feet that provide several benefits:

• Allows excess water to drain freely
• Prevents water stains on your patio or deck
• Creates airflow underneath the container
• Reduces the risk of rot and insect problems

For our large containers, we used stackable plastic pot feet that click together, creating enough clearance for our drip irrigation tubing.

Installing Drip Irrigation

Watering large containers consistently can be time-consuming. Setting up a drip irrigation system saves time and ensures your plants receive consistent moisture.

Here's how we set up our containers for drip irrigation:

1. Cut a length of 1/2-inch black distribution tubing (with no emitter holes) long enough to reach from the bottom of the container to the planned water source.
2. Attach a 90-degree elbow fitting to one end of the tubing to prevent kinking.
3. Thread the tubing up through the drainage hole, positioning the elbow underneath the container.
4. Leave enough tubing on the top end to create a spiral pattern around your plants.
5. Once plants are in place, you'll attach emitter tubing to the distribution tube to deliver water directly to the plant roots.

Our system will eventually connect to a timer and inline fertilizer injector, allowing the containers to water and fertilize themselves automatically. Imagine the time saved!

Installing a Decorative Fountain

Adding the sound of water to your garden creates a sensory experience that elevates the entire space. We installed a Borghese fountain in our hydrangea room to create a peaceful focal point.

Materials You'll Need:

• Fountain components (base, bowl, etc.)
• Submersible pump
• Flexible, non-kink tubing
• Hose clamp
• Screwdriver
• Waterproof putty
• Level
• Extension cord (if needed)

Installation Steps:

1. Place the fountain base on a level surface capable of supporting its weight (ours was 86 pounds).
2. Prepare the pump by attaching the flexible tubing to the pump outlet using the hose clamp.
3. Thread the pump cord through the designated groove or channel in the fountain base.
4. Use waterproof putty and the rubber wedge to seal around the electrical cord where it exits the fountain, preventing water leakage.
5. Position the bowl on top of the base, ensuring the tubing feeds up through the center.
6. Cut the tubing to the appropriate length so it sits just below the top of the fountain.
7. Fill the fountain with water (our Borghese fountain holds approximately 2.5 gallons).
8. Connect the pump to a power source and adjust as needed.

For safety and aesthetics, we're running the electrical cord through 2.5-inch PVC pipe that will be buried beneath the mulch. This protects the cord and keeps it out of sight. As an extra precaution, we'll mark the electrical cord with colorful tape to prevent accidental damage during future garden maintenance.

Finishing Touches

The final step in our container garden project was positioning decorative elements around the space:

• A charming owl sculpture positioned on the fire pit, creating a whimsical surprise as visitors round the corner
• A plinth to elevate our bug bath, adding architectural interest
• Repositioning our Litchfield urn to create visual connection across the garden

Planning Your Container Plantings

While it's still early in the season for us to plant our containers, we're already planning combinations that will provide season-long interest:

For large statement planters:

• A central structural element (like a rose, shrub, or small tree)
• Mid-height plants for fullness and color
• Trailing elements to soften the edges and create movement

For urns and smaller containers:

• Single specimens for impact (like a compact shrub or dramatic foliage plant)
• Seasonal color combinations that complement nearby garden beds
• Edibles that combine beauty and function

Final Thoughts

Adding substantial containers and water features to your garden creates instant impact and provides opportunities for creative plantings. While large planters represent an investment—both financially and in terms of the effort required to position them—they offer tremendous design flexibility and can transform your outdoor spaces.

Whether you're creating a container garden on a patio, deck, or integrated throughout your landscape, these substantial elements add structure, personality, and year-round interest to your garden.

Thanks for growing with us!

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