Creating visual interest in an urban garden is all about playing with dimension and form. Arranging planter boxes of different heights and sizes is a fantastic way to add depth, texture, and a dynamic feel to your balcony, patio, or rooftop. Here’s how to master the art of layered planting.
Start by thinking in tiers. Use tall, statement planters as your backdrop or focal points. Place these at the rear or center of your space. Fill them with tall, structural plants like ornamental grasses, small trees, or bamboo. In front of or beside these, introduce medium-height planters. These are perfect for bushy plants, flowering shrubs, or herbs. Finally, use low, wide, or trailing planters at the very front or along edges. These ground the display and are ideal for cascading plants like ivy, nasturtiums, or creeping thyme.
Group planters in odd numbers—clusters of three or five—for a naturally pleasing look. Vary the shapes as well as the heights; combine square, rectangular, and cylindrical planters. Don't be afraid to mix materials like wood, metal, and ceramic for added texture.
For a cohesive look, repeat a color or plant type throughout the arrangement. Use the "thriller, filler, spiller" principle in individual pots and across the entire display. A tall "thriller" plant in a large pot can be complemented by medium "filler" plants in adjacent mid-sized pots, with "spillers" overflowing from the lowest planters, visually linking the different levels.
Remember to consider sight lines and movement. Arrange planters to guide the eye through the space, creating little surprises from different angles. With thoughtful placement, your varied planters will transform any urban corner into a lush, captivating retreat.