What to Put in Brick Planters

Size

• Select plants balanced in proportion to the planters, as well as the house. A deep planter that runs along the front of the house can support several small shrubs, such as spireas, privets or barberry, as well as some flowers or groundcover. Use a vertical element, such as a tall spike plant, or trailing vines to balance a deep planter. When filling smaller planters, select compact, flowering plants, such as petunias or pansies.

Bloom Time

• For maximum impact, select flowers that bloom most of the season or plant several kinds of flowers with overlapping bloom times. Annual flowers, such as pansies, petunias, marigolds and geraniums, bloom most of the season, adding a punch of color to small planters. For large planters, choose long-blooming perennials or use a variety of perennials to extend bloom time. For example, plant poppies or bulbs for spring blooms, followed by daylilies, Shasta daisies, lavender or Jupiter's beard for summer blooms. Some plants, such as daylilies, have attractive foliage when not in bloom.

Winter Interest

• Consider how the planter looks in the winter. Annuals die with the first frost and must be removed. Many perennials die back to the ground in the winter. Select plants that provide some winter interest, especially in a large planter. Some shrubs, such as dogwood and burning bush, have an interesting form or bark during the winter. Ornamental grasses look attractive even when dried.

Maintenance

• When selecting plants for brick planters, consider how much time you want to spend maintaining the plants. Annuals usually require the most maintenance. Because they grow rapidly, they require fertilizing every two to three weeks and plenty of water. They also need deadheading to promote more flowers. Once established, perennials need little care beyond deadheading and dividing the plants every 2 to 3 years. Shrubs need only an annual pruning, light fertilizing in the spring, and adequate water. Select plants adapted to your area and growing conditions. If the planter sits next to the house, choose drought tolerant plants so the foundation stays dry. Plants that spread, such as perennials and groundcovers reduce weed growth.