When to put this huge planter?!

I meant ‘WHERE to put this huge planter’.

Hope Ive chosen the right page for thiis.
I made this really big planter and I’m now going mad trying to figure out where to put it. Front garden is SE facing, gets a good amount of light until mid afternoon

I originally planned to put it in my back garden but I thought front garden would be better and keep the back garden as a sort of woodland natural area.
So question is, where to put it? Because once it’s there it’s not going move without difficulty.
Planter is the size of the landscape fabric held down by bricks in the last photo, which is where I was thinking of putting it but not sure.
I’m not sure I’m bold enough to put it in the centre, but would that maybe look the best? Space isn’t an issue as my back garden is huge.
I’m thinking of putting hedges along the fences so I think I’ll keep those area clear for now I think. All that junk at fence will be moved soon.
I’ll be filling the planter with a lot of those plants along the wall, nothing really big and bushy, unless you think big and bushy would look better. I’ve got spirea, cotoneaster, etc.
I’m all open for suggestions about anything.
Thanks

 

The planter looks great @Daalamist.

My initial thought is to home it somewhere where you will see it regularly- ie. near a seating area or in view from a window.

My next thought is that if you already have the plants, would they prefer a sunny area or not? Also, how big will those plants get? I wouldn’t put too many shrubs in a planter.

 

Where's the lid? ;-)

 

Hahahaha. I didn’t get that at first, but yeah, it looks like Dracula is renting the spare room

 

Thank you!

As I’m a beginner gardener, I haven’t yet read what conditions my plants like, so I will just choose the plants that will suit the position once I’ve chosen a place. Won’t put more than one or two small shrubs.

I plan to have a small
Decking area behind the brownish shed thing, but I often sit on the path at the front door, so would see it anywhere I put it.

Thanks for your perspective

 

I think you need to decide [roughly] what you want the space to look like, but I'd agree that it's best to have it where you'll see it most. If you want winter interest as well, it's good to be able to see it from a window, and that's when you might want some evergreens and some plants for that season, and early bulbs.
If you're able to move it when filled [might be difficult] you can plonk it in the most convenient spot just now, while you tidy the rest of the area. You could therefore just have some seasonal planting for this year, and even some fruit/veg if you wanted, and plan for next year once you have a permanent site that suits you best.
If it's staying in roughly the same aspect, you could add a few appropriate perennials and/or those smaller evergreens, and just add to it over time, as they'll take a while longer to establish.

 

If it gets put in the middle of the grassy area, think about putting a hard mowing strip around it. Slabs would be easiest. Otherwise, you'll be forever strimming round the planter which won't do it much good. It would also be a good idea to raise it up off the ground for drainage and to stop the base rotting.

 

I was thinking that too @noisette47 . It would really be better on a hard surface for now, until the decision's made about the final site. Much easier for doing the grass, as well as the problem you mention about it sitting on the soil itself.

 

Thank you very much for your advice

 

I’ll definitely do that thanks. I have some red bricks I could use to create a little paved area around it which might also look quite nice
I also have some slate I can use to raise it off the ground

 

Make sure you have drainage holes in the bottom. Your plants won't like sitting in very wet soil.

 

Hi @Daalamist , I know exactly where to place such a marvellous planter. PM me and I'll give my address, hopefully a trip to Newcastle isn't too hard. We have a Greggs' nearby!

It's a great planter and the positioning it will depend on what you want to grow in it. For permanent container planting draught tolerant evergreen plants are the best. In a sunny spot Lavender, Rosemary etc would be great, and with a planter of that size it would be possible to fit in a small water feature too.

It would be nice to see "the making of" pics too, I want a planter just like that and would love to see how it was made.

 

This is where it's important to know your location too @Daalamist . The variations around the UK are enormous in terms of climate and soil etc. Length of growing season too - the further north you are, the shorter it is due to light and temps. Altitude, and the amount of exposure the location has are also factors for any plant, although you seem to have a relatively sheltered site there.
Plants in a container need more attention than in the ground too, so the mix you use for it is also important. For example, you can't grow shrubs successfully in MPC long term.

You can add it [location] to your avatar/signature. Doesn't have to be exact, but a general guide is always helpful for useful advice

 

Greggs?! Sold!

thanks for the advice on what to put in it, I hadnt really thought about it that much yet. Was just planning to stick a bunch of perennials in it and hope for the best, but the idea of evergreen has me intrigued and I’m going to look into that. Water feature is such a cool idea too but I have a nice big barrel planter that I’m thinking of making into a water feature.

The planter looks ok from a distance and it made of various bits of scrap wood so I didn’t think of posting ‘making of pics’. I just winged it and I think I’d probably get crucified for the way I made it tbh, lol.
Glad you like it though!

 

Ok I’ll do that thanks.