How to Perfectly Style Your Outside Space With Corten Steel Planters
With their rich, weathered finish and exceptional durability, corten steel planters create a striking contrast against lush greenery. In this guide, we’ll explore the best ways to style them in UK gardens, discuss their practical benefits, and provide expert tips on creating a cohesive, sophisticated outdoor look.
Why Corten Steel Planters are a Garden Essential
Unlike standard metal or plastic planters, corten steel develops a natural patina over time, transitioning from a raw steel finish to a beautiful, rusted hue that deepens with age. This evolving appearance allows the planters to seamlessly blend into both contemporary and traditional outdoor settings.
This protective outer layer also prevents corrosion, making them resistant to rain, frost, and temperature fluctuations, which is ideal for the unpredictable British weather.
A Range of Styles
Corten steel planters are available in various shapes and sizes to suit outdoor spaces. These include:
- Round corten steel planters, like the Cylindro - Corten Steel Cylinder, provide soft curves and work beautifully as statement pieces in patios or contemporary gardens.
- Corten steel trough planters create defined borders for lining pathways or framing seating areas.
- Corten steel raised garden beds offer an elegant, structured way to grow herbs, flowers, or vegetables.
Choosing the Right Planters for Your Space
Selecting the perfect corten steel planter for your outdoor space depends on your garden’s style, size, and intended function. With many shapes and sizes available, these planters can create focal points, structure, and harmony within your landscape.
- For patios and terraces: Round corten steel planters are ideal for smaller spaces. Cluster different sizes together for a layered effect or use a single, extra-large planter – like the largest versions of our Cylindro - Corten Steel Low Cylinder – as a bold centrepiece.
- For modern gardens: Sleek corten steel Barium trough planters are perfect for minimalist designs. Position them along pathways, against walls, or as dividers for seating areas.
- For rustic charm: Raised garden beds blend well into traditional gardens, offering a natural, organic feel and adding depth and definition to informal spaces.
- For large gardens: Extra large planters can define distinct outdoor zones or act as standalone sculptural pieces. Use them to flank entranceways, frame garden seating, or create striking visual impact with statement plants and trees.
The Best Plants for Corten Steel Planters
Architectural Plants for Texture and Structure
For a modern, sculptural look, consider bold, architectural plants that provide height and movement:
- Bamboo: Adds height and creates a natural privacy screen.
- Ferns: Their soft, feathery foliage contrasts beautifully with the industrial tones of corten steel planters.
- Ornamental Grasses: Tall varieties like Miscanthus or Fountain Grass bring a flowing, organic feel, softening the planter’s edges.
Seasonal Colour for Year-Round Interest
To create a vibrant, ever-changing display, plant seasonal flowers and perennials that thrive in UK gardens:
- Lavender: Its silvery-green foliage and fragrant purple blooms pair beautifully with the rusted finish of corten steel trough planters.
- Heather: Adds delicate texture and colour, particularly in raised garden beds.
- Alliums: Tall, globe-like purple flowers create striking focal points for statement planting.
Edible Choices for a Functional Garden
For those who enjoy homegrown produce, corten steel raised garden beds are perfect for growing herbs, vegetables, and fruit trees:
- Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, and basil thrive in the warmth absorbed by corten steel planters.
- Salad Greens: Lettuce, spinach, and rocket grow effortlessly in trough planters, making fresh, homegrown greens readily available.
- Small Fruit Trees: Dwarf apple, fig, or olive trees bring structure and seasonal interest, particularly in round planters on patios.
Creating a Cohesive Garden Design
Integrating corten steel planters into your garden design is about creating balance, contrast, and a natural flow that enhances your outdoor space. Their warm tones pair beautifully with many materials and design elements, making them an incredibly versatile choice for contemporary and traditional gardens.
Contrast and Texture for a Natural Look
The raw, industrial aesthetic of corten steel in gardens is best complemented by natural materials that soften its appearance:
- Pair trough planters with gravel pathways or stone paving for an organic, layered effect.
- Use wooden decking or fences to create contrast; raised garden beds against oak or cedar provide warmth and depth.
- Incorporate textured elements like moss, ferns, or climbing ivy to enhance the earthy appeal.
Repetition for Balance and Symmetry
To create a harmonious, structured layout, repeat similar corten steel planters throughout your garden:
- Use matching round planters to frame an entrance or seating area.
- Line pathways with trough planters for a modern, structured border.
- Arrange extra large planters in symmetrical formations to define key areas.
Lighting Effects to Achieve a Warm Glow
The rich, burnt-orange hues of corten steel planters glow beautifully under strategic lighting:
- Use subtle uplighting to highlight the depth and texture of the steel at night.
- Place warm LED strip lights around raised garden beds for a soft, ambient effect.
- Position spotlights to cast shadows through sculptural plants in the planters, adding movement and depth to the space.
How to Get Started
Incorporating corten steel planters into your outdoor space is easier than you might think. Here is how it will work, step by step:
1. Assess Your Space
Begin by evaluating the layout of your garden, patio, or terrace. Consider key focal points where a planter can add definition, such as entrances, pathways, or seating areas. If you're working with a larger garden, opt for extra-large planters to create depth and visual interest.
2. Choose the Right Planters
Select planters that suit your garden’s style, as described above.
3. Select Your Plants
Pair your planters with architectural plants, seasonal blooms, or edible greenery to enhance their impact. Consider low-maintenance plants that thrive in the UK climate for effortless beauty year-round.
4. Arrange and Position
Strategically place your planters to frame entrances, line pathways, or create zones within your garden. For added impact, use repetition and symmetry to establish a cohesive design.
5. Add Finishing Touches
Use complementary materials like wood, gravel, or natural stone, and consider subtle outdoor lighting to accentuate their warm glow in the evening.
Incorporate Corten Steel Into Your Dream Garden
We offer a beautifully curated range of corten steel planters designed to offer durability and sustainability to your garden with style and sophistication. We have an option for every setting – explore them now and get your perfect set.
