design element Planters & Containers

Planters and containers add color, scale, and personality to landscapes with a level of flexibility few elements can match. Used to frame entries, soften terraces, or define walkways, they support seasonal change, easy updates, and targeted maintenance while creating a welcoming presence outdoors.
Formal stone urns along a front walk are layered with annuals and perennials, balancing structure with evolving summer plant interest.

limitless color, minimum maintenance

Planters and containers provide a simple, high-impact way to add color, texture, and seasonal interest to a residential landscape. Offered in materials such as natural stone, cast concrete, ceramic, metal, and wood, they can be scaled for both small entries and larger terraces. Containers showcase annuals, perennials, ornamental grasses, and compact shrubs while allowing for easy seasonal updates.

In the Boston area, proper drainage, frost-resistant materials, and smart plant selection help withstand freeze-thaw cycles and summer heat. Thoughtfully placed, planters can frame entrances, define outdoor rooms, soften hardscape edges, and guide movement throughout the landscape.

common planter and container questions

1. What types of plants work best in residential planters and containers?
Annuals provide bold seasonal color, while perennials, ornamental grasses, and compact shrubs offer longer-term structure. Evergreens are commonly used in Boston-area landscapes to maintain curb appeal through fall and winter.
2. How often should container plantings be updated?
Most homeowners refresh planters two to three times per year. Spring and summer plantings focus on color and growth, while fall and winter designs emphasize texture, structure, and durability.
3. Why are planters and containers a cost-effective landscaping option?
Containers are one of the most affordable ways to enhance curb appeal and outdoor living spaces. They provide flexibility, quick installation, and the ability to evolve with changing tastes or seasonal needs.
4. Can planters stay outside during the winter in New England?
Many containers can remain outdoors year-round if they are built for cold climates and planted appropriately. Winter arrangements using evergreens, branches, and decorative accents help maintain visual interest during colder months.
A shallow metal bowl holds a winter arrangement of evergreen cuttings and birch logs, functioning as a compact seasonal centerpiece.

see examples of our planters and Containers

A square metal planter introduces a modern look with upright and trailing foliage, ideal for courtyards where clean lines and easy care are priorities.
Paired urns filled with flowering annuals reinforce the symmetry of a formal colonial entry and allow for easy summer color changes.
A tall black urn anchors a fall entry display with berries and grasses, using contrast and vertical form to transition easily from autumn into winter.
A cast concrete bowl planted with geraniums delivers bold summer color on a patio using a simple, mass-planting approach.
A cast planter anchors the front entryway with a winter charm feel, using soft, mixed plantings to add warmth and structure while offering an easy container that transitions seasonally.
A hanging basket planted with evergreen and purple foliage adds layered porch interest, with elevated placement supporting healthy growth and easy swaps.
A carved stone urn tucked into a shaded garden niche holds petunias, introducing seasonal color in low-light areas with easy upkeep.
An autumn planting of heuchera and pansies fills a stone urn, emphasizing foliage color and texture while extending seasonal interest into cooler weather.
A glazed ceramic round planter features mixed spring foliage, highlighting texture and color in a compact, easily refreshed container.
A shade garden container mixes foliage plants for summer interest, providing consistent color and texture without relying on flowers or frequent maintenance.
A cast iron urn planted with ornamental kale and pumpkins marks the fall season; in Brookline, MA, the durable form supports repeat displays.
Grand stone urns filled with mixed annuals reinforce the formality of a summer garden while making seasonal color changes straightforward.
A historic arcade urn dressed with evergreen boughs and red twig accents creates a dramatic holiday display that holds up through winter.
Patio urns feature a clean, textural arrangement of plantings and natural accents, creating a sculptural composition that reads well during the day and becomes especially effective in the evening when enhanced by landscape lighting.
A pedestal urn sized for tabletop use displays spring pansies, bringing seasonal color to a porch in a compact, low-maintenance container.
A variety of concrete planters define a modern terrace with mixed perennials, adding height and structure while supporting long-term use and seasonal flexibility.
Multiple planters are grouped along a covered entry, layering ferns and trailing vines to create rhythm, depth, and a cohesive summer display that softens architecture with low maintenance care.
A substantial entry urn filled with evergreen boughs, red twig accents, and winter berries creates a welcoming seasonal display in Brookline, MA with strong curb appeal.
A black urn at an urban entry features petunias and evergreen accents, providing summer color while maintaining year-round structure.
A decorative cast stone bowl planted with ivy and geraniums adds softness to a formal garden with a low-profile, easy-care design.
Grouped ceramic urns showcase ornamental kale and grasses in a winter display, with varied sizes allowing flexible seasonal arrangements.
A classical stone urn filled with salvia delivers strong summer color through mass planting that simplifies watering and replacement.
A rustic clay cylinder planter holds fall annuals accented with a small pumpkin, adding seasonal character to a porch with simple care needs.
Paired porch urns filled with flowering annuals create symmetry at the entry, guiding movement to the door and allowing easy seasonal color updates.
A tall black entry planter holds evergreen boughs and yellow twig dogwood, providing strong winter structure with minimal upkeep.
A hammered metal bowl features layered pansies and ornamental kale, combining texture and contrast in a spring-ready container.
A shallow stone bowl layered with oxalis, pansies, and moss creates a soft spring composition suited to quick seasonal rotations.
A classic urn on a pedestal holds ornamental grass, adding height and movement as a low-maintenance seasonal entry accent.
Birch logs and ornamental spring flowers are arranged in a seasonal container that bridges winter and spring and is easy to update as conditions change.
Large stone urns filled with ornamental grasses line a front walk, creating rhythm and scale while allowing seasonal plant swaps.
A stone trough planter features early spring pansies and pussy willow, offering a low, linear accent that’s easy to refresh as the season advances.
A stone urn filled with magnolia leaves and cones creates a refined winter display using natural materials that provide lasting texture with little maintenance.
Architectural containers at a patio entry feature mixed annuals, introducing summer color and movement while allowing quick seasonal updates.
Rectangular box planters line a spring entry with hydrangea and pussy willow, emphasizing the approach while simplifying seasonal refreshes.
A classic cast iron urn at the entry features mandevilla, ferns, and mixed annuals, balancing elegance with manageable summer care.
A rusted iron urn on a covered porch features mixed summer annuals, combining durability and warmth while reducing maintenance through sheltered placement.
Paired stone wall bowls display winter evergreen and magnolia arrangements, adding symmetry and seasonal structure at the entry.
A pedestal bowl planted with ornamental grass acts as a sculptural garden feature, adding height and movement with minimal seasonal upkeep.
White box planters flanking a fire pit hold mixed shrubs, defining the space with year-round structure and simplified long-term maintenance.
A modern tapered black planter features mixed foliage and pansies, delivering a fresh spring look suited to contemporary entries.
Paired entry planters display winter evergreen and branch installations; in Wellesley, MA, they offer refined seasonal interest with minimal care.
Black entry urns filled with winter evergreens frame the front door, offering strong contrast and a repeatable seasonal design.
A traditional metal urn showcases pink summer annuals, adding soft color and texture while maintaining a timeless form suitable for seasonal replanting.
A classical white urn along the garden edge holds hydrangea and trailing annuals, softening hard lines while elevating plantings for better drainage and easy maintenance.
A centered garden urn aligns with a pergola view, reinforcing symmetry while serving as a focal point that adapts seasonally.
A weathered stone bowl filled with welcoming spring pansies accents a walkway, adding early-season color while maintaining open sightlines and allowing quick seasonal changeouts.
A weathered box planter introduces fall color with tightly planted mums, defining patio space while offering a simple, low-effort seasonal update.
A modern square planter supports a winter mix of evergreen, berries, and magnolia, keeping the display structured and easy to maintain.
A white tapered modern urn supports a light Easter display of pussy willow and moss, offering a clean, neutral container that adapts easily to changing seasonal plantings.
A stone urn in a courtyard setting supports a mix of succulents and annuals, offering precise plant control and easy seasonal updates without disturbing hardscape.
An illuminated stone urn highlights a seasonal mixed planting at night; in Beacon Hill, Boston, lighting extends visual impact beyond daylight hours.
A classic urn supports a double ballwood topiary accented with ribbon, offering evergreen structure and minimal summer maintenance.
A large concrete urn on a rooftop terrace in Cambridge, MA supports flowering vines and annuals, offering stability and seasonal flexibility in an exposed setting.
A large metal bowl overflows with geraniums and chartreuse foliage on a terrace in Weston, MA, delivering bold summer color with simple upkeep.
A winter urn arrangement combines evergreen branches, birch stems, and pinecones for texture and height, offering a durable seasonal accent that holds its form through cold weather.
A classical stone urn combines mixed annuals and euphorbia at the entry, allowing plant color and texture to stand out seasonally.
A rust steel trough planted with herbs and annuals lines a foundation, maximizing planting space while maintaining a clean, modern aesthetic.
Concrete planters filled with mixed perennials are softly lit on a deck, adding evening interest while keeping maintenance manageable.
Paired modern planters sit along a pool patio, combining flowering shrubs and trailing vines to introduce summer color and an airy, relaxed charm that softens hardscape and frames the space.
A woven basket-style container adds relaxed texture to an outdoor cooking area, planted with summer succulents that thrive with minimal water and offer flexible, low-maintenance seasonal interest.
Paired entry urns planted with ornamental grasses add texture and movement; in Concord, MA, they provide a low-maintenance seasonal statement.
A cast iron urn filled with evergreen boughs and red twig accents creates a festive winter porch display with lasting structure.

limitless styles and placement

Planters and containers blend design flexibility with practical performance, making them a versatile element in residential landscapes. Offered in styles ranging from classic urns and stone bowls to clean-lined modern forms, they can reinforce architectural character or introduce contrast where needed. Strategic placement at entries, along walkways, or on terraces allows them to highlight architectural details, define outdoor spaces, and add focal points where in-ground planting is limited. At the same time, containers allow for controlled soil conditions and simplified irrigation. With proper design and care, they remain attractive year-round and function as a refined extension and focal point of the landscape.

To learn more about our custom planter and container services across the Boston area, contact the Blade team today.
A formal garden urn is placed on axis with the lawn, creating a clear visual focal point that anchors the space, reinforces symmetry, and draws the eye through the landscape.

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what our clients say

review - a blade of grass landscape designer Boston review
“Exceptional vision coupled with practical advice. The team worked hard under difficult conditions, the job was done in a timely manner and the outcome surpassed my very high expectations.”
Kathy H.
West Roxbury, MA
“What a great company. The people we work with are responsive, knowledgeable and a delight to work with. They meet with us each year at the beginning of the season to understand our needs and they make sure they meet those needs.”
Helen S.
Concord, MA
“They listened to what we wanted and created an oasis where each month we saw different plants blooming with different colors. Our designer was a joy to work with and she truly taught us about plants and flowers through this experience.”
Jaimin P.
Sudbury, MA
“Their creative vision, thoroughness, and professionalism exceeds all expectations. Further, the Blade of Grass team is exceptionally friendly, responsive and easy-going.”
Lindsey M.
Dover, MA
“They gave me an accurate budget and timetable up front and pretty much stuck to it - much to my husband's delight. They are not pushy about their services which I truly appreciate and which is why I continue to use them for maintenance, new plantings etc. Would highly recommend them!”
Sunitha D.
Newton, MA
“a Blade of Grass was a joy to work with from beginning to end. They were focused on us the entire process from brainstorming, designing, selecting and installation. We love our new landscaped backyard and know you will too!”
Pamela D.
West Roxbury, MA
“a Blade of Grass transformed our front yard from a barren wasteland of wood chips to a stunningly gorgeous garden. In late 2012, we embarked on a major project to rebuild our backyard and add a pool and patio. The result far exceeded our expectations. Heather and her crew maintain all of our gardens throughout the year, and are very responsive to our questions and requests.”
John H.
Weston, MA
“When designing the space Tom considered every detail including privacy concerns, colors, the reuse of existing plants, our likes and dislikes, cost, placement and size of walkways and stairs, shape of pool deck and where snow would be plowed in the winter. The result is a yard we enjoy all year-round. Since its design, the maintenance team at a Blade of Grass has maintained the yard's beauty.”
Dave H.
Waltham, MA
“Joanna had an encyclopedic knowledge of every plant we looked at. The installation crew led by Joel was also terrific. In fact, despite oppressive heat, they removed some old stones in the way and used them to repair and extend a fallen wall - a really thoughtful touch that went above and beyond the plan.” 
Betty T.
Lincoln, MA

add some seasonal color to your home.

Contact us today to learn how our seasonal planters and containers can add just the right touch of charm and color your property.
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