Metal Planters Nottingham

0115 647 6611

Bespoke Garden Planters & Window Boxes Combining Steel or Aluminium with Wood or Composite

Garden Planters

Nottingham Metalworks handcrafts bespoke metal planters for gardens, patios, and entrances across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Our custom-built planters combine robust steel or aluminium frames with quality timber or composite panels, creating weather-resistant containers that enhance outdoor spaces with beautiful planting whilst lasting decades through constant exposure to moisture and soil.

Construction detail of bespoke metal planter showing steel frame, timber panels, drainage holes and quality fabrication in Nottingham

Construction detail of bespoke metal planter

Button
Bespoke metal and vertically fitted timber panel trough planter in Nottingham

Metal framed vertically fitted timber hardwood planter

Button
All metal planter finished in anthracite grey powder coat finish in Nottingham garden

All metal powder coated planter

Button
Selection of Corten steel planters designed and fabricated in Nottingham

Selection of Corten steel planters

Button
Composite planter and hanging planters matching a composite fence screen in Nottingham

Composite planter and hanging planters

Button
Selection of galvanised steel planters designed and fabricated in Nottingham

Range of galvanised steel planters

Button

Handcrafted Metal Planters for Beautiful Gardens

Garden planters provide essential flexibility for garden design—adding height and structure, introducing seasonal colour, creating focal points, defining spaces, and enabling gardening where ground conditions are poor. Yet mass-produced planters consistently disappoint: thin materials buckle under soil weight, plastic degrades in UV light becoming brittle, cheap metal rusts through within seasons, and ubiquitous designs offer no character or quality.

At Nottingham Metalworks, we fabricate bespoke metal planters combining engineering-grade construction with beautiful materials suited to constant outdoor exposure. Robust steel or aluminium frames provide permanent structural integrity—planters that withstand soil weight, watering cycles, and frost heaving without deteriorating. Timber slats or composite panels create attractive planter bodies whilst permitting essential drainage. The result is planters that become better with age, developing character whilst remaining structurally sound season after season.

Our metal planters suit diverse garden applications. Entrance planters flank doorways creating welcoming arrivals. Patio trough planters define outdoor living areas whilst providing planted privacy or screening. Window boxes add colour to building façades. Raised planters enable accessible gardening. Feature planters create focal points in borders or on patios. Every planter is fabricated to your specifications—sized for your space, styled for your aesthetic, and built to withstand British weather whilst supporting healthy plant growth.

The combination of metal frames with natural or composite materials offers practical advantages beyond aesthetics. Metal frames won't rot despite constant moisture—the primary failure of timber planters. Elevated construction and slatted sides provide drainage preventing waterlogging. Robust frames support substantial soil volumes without sagging or distorting. And modular construction means planters can be moved when empty (despite substantial size) or disassembled if relocation requires.

We create metal planters for Nottingham gardeners and homeowners who value quality construction, appreciate bespoke design, want planters coordinating with outdoor garden furniture or decorative screening, and prefer investing in permanent garden features rather than repeatedly replacing failed containers. Our planters become integral garden elements—providing structure through winters, hosting seasonal displays, and anchoring garden designs for decades.

PLANTER TYPES & APPLICATIONS

Metal Planters for Every Garden Purpose


Entrance & Statement Planters

Tall planters flanking doorways create impressive entrance features establishing property character from arrival. We fabricate statement planters from 600mm through to 1200mm height in square, rectangular, or cylindrical forms. Substantial proportions (typically 400-600mm width) accommodate architectural planting - topiary, structural evergreens, or seasonal displays creating year-round interest. Entrance planters prove particularly valuable for properties lacking border planting - instant garden presence without ground preparation. Many clients commission matching pairs for symmetrical entrance arrangements, creating formal, welcoming arrivals.


Patio Trough Planters

Long, low trough planters define patio edges, screen views, or create planted boundaries between spaces. We create troughs from 800mm through to 2000+ metres length, with typical depths of 400-600mm providing generous root volume. Trough planters suit herbs for outdoor kitchens, trailing plants creating cascades over patio edges, ornamental grasses screening neighbours, and seasonal bedding displays. Positioned on patio perimeters, troughs create subtle boundaries without solid screening, maintaining airflow and light whilst adding planted interest. Trough planters coordinate beautifully with garden tables and benches, creating cohesive outdoor schemes.


Window Boxes

Traditional window boxes add colour to building façades whilst maintaining historic property character. We fabricate window boxes to exact dimensions—crucial for proper fitting below windows where standard sizes rarely suit. Typical depths of 200-250mm accommodate seasonal planting - spring bulbs, summer bedding, winter evergreens. Metal construction withstands constant moisture better than timber window boxes rotting from interior condensation and exterior rain. Custom fabrication ensures window boxes integrate with property architecture, match existing railings or  gates, and provide secure mounting appropriate to your window cills or façade.


Raised Planters & Accessible Gardening

Waist-height planters (750-900mm tall) enable accessible gardening without bending—valuable for older gardeners, those with mobility limitations, or anyone preferring comfortable growing conditions. Raised planters suit herb gardens near kitchens, vegetable growing on patios, and intensive planting in small gardens. The elevated position improves drainage (essential for many herbs), deters pests (slugs face vertical climb), and creates comfortable tending height. We design raised planters with appropriate depths (400mm+ for productive growing) supporting substantial soil volumes.


Feature & Decorative Planters

Garden focal points benefit from distinctive planters becoming sculptural elements. We create feature planters in varied forms—tall cylinders adding vertical emphasis, grouped planters in graduating sizes, bespoke shapes suited to specific locations, and coordinated collections creating planted compositions. Feature planters often remain positioned year-round, hosting permanent planting (specimen shrubs, architectural perennials) or seasonal rotation maintaining year-round interest. Custom fabrication accommodates unusual requirements—corner planters, triangular planters for tight spaces, or planters matching specific garden geometries.

MATERIALS & CONSTRUCTION

Premium Materials for Growing Conditions

Metal Frame Construction

Steel Frames

Robust steel sections (typically 30x30mm through 50x50mm depending on planter size) create permanent structural frames withstanding soil weight—even large planters with 100+ litres of wet compost. Steel frames are blast-cleaned and powder-coated in extensive colour ranges including charcoal grey for contemporary aesthetics, bronze tones complementing natural timber, sage or olive greens integrating with planting, and custom colours matching existing outdoor furniture or architectural metalwork. Powder coating provides corrosion protection despite constant moisture exposure from watering and condensation.


Corten Steel Planters

Corten steel planters have become increasingly popular in contemporary garden design, valued for their distinctive weathered appearance and exceptional durability. Also known as weathering steel, corten naturally develops a protective rust-coloured patina that stabilises over time, eliminating the need for painting or ongoing maintenance.

This self-protecting oxide layer makes corten steel planters ideal for year-round outdoor use. Unlike ordinary steel that continues to corrode, corten's surface oxidation actually shields the metal beneath, resulting in planters that can last for decades with minimal upkeep. The warm, earthy tones of weathered corten complement both modern and traditional garden settings, creating striking focal points that mature beautifully over time.

We fabricate corten steel planters in various sizes and configurations, from compact raised beds to large commercial installations. The material's strength allows for clean, minimalist designs with relatively thin walls, while its natural finish means there's no painted surface to chip or peel. Corten planters are particularly well-suited to architectural planting schemes and contemporary landscaping projects where durability and low maintenance are priorities.


Galvanised Steel Planters

Galvanised steel planters offer a practical, cost-effective solution for both domestic and commercial planting applications. The galvanisation process involves coating steel with a protective layer of zinc, creating a durable barrier against rust and corrosion that significantly extends the planter's lifespan.

These planters are characterised by their bright, silvery finish when new, which weathers to a more subtle grey patina over time. Galvanised steel is notably lighter than many alternative materials while remaining robust enough for demanding outdoor environments. This combination makes galvanised planters easy to position and relocate when needed, without compromising on strength or weather resistance.

We make galvanised steel planters suitable for everything from kitchen gardens and allotments to retail displays and public realm projects. The material's neutral appearance works well across different design styles, and the zinc coating provides excellent protection even in exposed locations or coastal environments where salt spray might affect other materials. For projects requiring a more refined aesthetic, galvanised planters can also be powder-coated in a range of colours while maintaining the underlying corrosion protection.


Aluminium Frames

Lightweight aluminium suits planters requiring occasional repositioning—moved seasonally, rearranged for garden maintenance, or relocated following sun patterns. Aluminium planters weigh approximately 60% less than steel equivalents whilst supporting equivalent soil volumes. This reduced weight proves valuable for rooftop gardens, balconies with loading restrictions, or planters moved seasonally between storage and display positions. Aluminium's inherent corrosion resistance makes it ideal for coastal gardens where salt spray would attack steel despite coating.


Planter Body Materials

Timber Slats

Timber slat construction creates attractive planters with natural aesthetics. Horizontal slats (typically 70-100mm wide with 10-15mm gaps) provide drainage whilst retaining compost. Hardwoods like oak or iroko withstand constant moisture, whilst treated softwood offers economical alternatives. Slatted construction permits air circulation to roots—beneficial for plant health. Timber develops attractive patina through exposure, creating living finishes evolving with your garden.


Composite Panels

Wood-composite materials create maintenance-free planter bodies. Composite panels won't rot despite constant moisture, maintaining appearance indefinitely. Solid panels require drainage holes drilled at appropriate spacing. Composite's dimensional stability prevents warping or bowing under moisture cycling. Available in wood-effect finishes coordinating with you garden furniture or composite gates.


All-Metal Construction

Some designs use powder-coated metal panels forming planter bodies—particularly contemporary aesthetic or commercial applications. Metal panels require careful drainage provision and internal liners preventing soil contact. All-metal planters suit modern architectural contexts or situations requiring specific colours impossible with timber.


Internal Liners & Drainage

All planters incorporate drainage provision—gaps between timber slats, drilled holes in solid panels, or elevated bases allowing water escape. We typically recommend waterproof liners (plastic or rubber) between planter structure and compost, protecting timber from direct soil contact whilst permitting drainage through liner holes aligning with planter drainage. Elevated feet or bases ensure planters don't sit in water, preventing rot and providing airflow.

SIZING & CUSTOMISATION

Creating Planters for Your Space

Every garden differs—entrance widths vary, window dimensions are unique, patio configurations are individual. We fabricate planters to exact specifications ensuring perfect fitting and proportions. Small window boxes fit narrow sills, substantial entrance planters suit generous doorways, and custom troughs match patio dimensions precisely.


Design Customisation

Contemporary clean-lined designs feature simple geometries and minimal detailing. Traditional styles incorporate decorative brackets, panelled construction, or period-appropriate detailing. We can match planters to existing outdoor fixtures, or [garden furniture, creating cohesive schemes. Powder coating coordinates with architectural colours, existing metalwork, or planting palettes.



Planting Considerations

We discuss intended planting during design—shallow-rooted annuals versus deep-rooted shrubs determine depth requirements. Herb planters benefit from excellent drainage whilst moisture-loving plants suit deeper, less-draining configurations. Sun-loving plants may warrant lighter colours reflecting heat, whilst shade plants suit any finish. Understanding your planting intentions ensures planters support healthy growth.

WHY CHOOSE BESPOKE METAL PLANTERS

Permanent Quality for Plant Health

Mass-produced planters fail predictably: thin materials buckle under soil weight, plastic becomes brittle in UV, and cheap metal rusts through within seasons. Our bespoke metal planters provide robust frames lasting decades despite constant moisture, drainage ensuring healthy plant growth, and bespoke sizing fitting your spaces perfectly.

Quality planters transform gardens—providing structure through winter, enabling planting where ground conditions are poor, and becoming established garden features rather than disposable containers requiring constant replacement.

COMMISSIONING YOUR METAL PLANTERS

Creating Your Garden Planters

Commissioning bespoke metal planters begins with discussing your requirements—intended location and purpose, planting plans (annuals, perennials, edibles), dimensions and capacity, and material preferences. We'll suggest planter configurations suited to your applications, explain drainage and liner options, and provide detailed quotations.

For planters coordinating with existing features send photographs ensuring perfect matching. Site visits can assess entrance dimensions, window measurements, or patio configurations ensuring accurate fabrication.

Fabrication typically takes 2-3 weeks depending on complexity.


Metal Garden Planters in Nottingham

Ready to create bespoke garden planters?

Request Your Free Quote

Call: 0115 647 6611

Serving Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, and the East Midlands. Handcrafted metal planters combining steel or aluminium with timber or composite. Explore our outdoor metal furniture.

Frequently Asked Questions About Metal Garden Planters

  • How deep do metal planters need to be for healthy plant growth?

    Planter depth depends on intended planting. Shallow-rooted annuals (bedding plants, trailing petunias, lobelia) thrive in 200-250mm depth—suitable for window boxes and compact planters. Mixed seasonal displays with deeper-rooted plants benefit from 300-400mm depth. Permanent shrubs, small trees, or productive vegetables require 400-600mm minimum depth providing adequate root volume and moisture retention. Herbs vary—Mediterranean herbs (rosemary, thyme, lavender) suit shallower planters with excellent drainage (250-300mm), whilst moisture-loving herbs (mint, parsley) prefer deeper planters (350-450mm) retaining moisture. We'll discuss your planting intentions during design, recommending appropriate depths supporting healthy growth whilst maintaining planter proportions suited to location.

  • Do metal planters get too hot for plants in summer sun?

    Metal conducts heat, so direct sun can warm planter sides. However, our timber-slat construction provides insulation—timber doesn't conduct heat like solid metal, protecting roots from temperature extremes. The air gap between outer slats and internal liner (we recommend plastic or rubber liners) provides additional insulation. Composite panels similarly insulate better than solid metal. For very sunny locations, we recommend lighter powder coating colours (whites, light greys, pale greens) reflecting rather than absorbing heat. Positioning planters where buildings or planting provide afternoon shade helps. And adequate soil volume (larger planters) buffers temperature fluctuations better than tiny containers. All-metal planters in full sun can become problematic—we'd recommend timber or composite construction for very exposed locations.

  • How do you prevent metal planters from rusting?

    Our powder-coated steel frames resist corrosion despite moisture exposure. Powder coating provides superior weather protection compared to wet paint—bonded coating resists moisture penetration. Interior frames (not contacting soil) remain dry through waterproof liner separation. For maximum corrosion resistance, aluminium frames won't rust regardless of exposure. Even in very damp conditions or coastal environments, properly powder-coated steel or aluminium construction provides decades of service. Drainage provision ensures planters don't hold standing water—elevated bases and drainage holes/gaps prevent water accumulation. With appropriate construction and finishing, metal planters outlast timber equivalents by decades despite constant moisture exposure from watering and condensation.

  • Can planters be moved when full of compost and plants?

    This depends entirely on planter size and soil volume. Small to medium planters (up to 400mm cubed, approximately 60 litres compost) might weigh 80-100kg when planted—manageable for two people to lift short distances. Large planters (600mm+ dimensions, 200+ litres) become essentially immovable when filled—several hundred kilograms including wet compost, plants, and planter structure. We design large planters assuming permanent positioning. For planters requiring occasional movement, specify aluminium frames reducing weight, or consider modular designs allowing partial emptying. Most clients position large planters where they'll remain, treating them as permanent garden features. Smaller planters, window boxes, and medium containers can be moved seasonally if desired—though positioning once and enjoying year-round is common practice.

  • What's better for planters—timber slats or solid panels?

    Both suit different priorities. Timber slats provide superior drainage (gaps between slats allow water escape), natural aesthetics with visible grain and texture, and air circulation to roots (beneficial for plant health). Slats suit traditional and country garden aesthetics. Solid panels (composite or metal) offer contemporary clean-lined aesthetics, complete compost containment without liner visibility, and potentially easier cleaning. Solid panels require drilled drainage holes—proper spacing and sizing is critical preventing waterlogging. For most traditional or country gardens, timber slats provide better drainage and aesthetics. For contemporary gardens wanting clean lines, solid panels work well with proper drainage provision. We'll recommend appropriate construction during design discussion based on your aesthetic preferences and intended planting.

  • Can planters match existing garden furniture or gates?

    Absolutely—this is one advantage of bespoke fabrication. We regularly create planters coordinating with garden tables. Powder coating to identical RAL colours ensures perfect colour matching. Timber species coordinate across pieces—oak planters with oak furniture, iroko with iroko, etc. Design elements—proportions, detailing, stylistic approaches—echo throughout creating cohesive garden schemes. Many clients commission furniture and planters simultaneously ensuring perfect consistency. Others add planters years after initial furniture installations—we match previous finishes and designs allowing gradual development of coordinated collections. Bring photographs or samples of existing pieces and we'll develop planter designs integrating beautifully.

  • Do metal planters need drainage holes?

    Drainage is essential for plant health—waterlogged roots rot rapidly. Our timber-slat construction provides natural drainage through gaps between slats—water escapes freely preventing waterlogging. Solid panel planters (composite or metal) require drilled drainage holes—we position multiple holes across planter bases ensuring water escapes efficiently. Elevated bases or feet (typically 10-20mm clearance) ensure planters don't sit in pooled water, providing airflow underneath and preventing rot. We recommend waterproof liners (thick plastic or rubber sheeting) between planter structure and compost, protecting timber from direct soil contact whilst featuring holes aligning with planter drainage. This liner prevents compost washing through gaps whilst permitting water drainage. Proper drainage provision is fundamental to healthy planting and planter longevity.

  • What compost should I use in metal planters?

    Compost choice depends on planting, but general-purpose peat-free multipurpose compost suits most applications. For permanent shrub planting, soil-based composts provide better structure and weight preventing toppling. Mediterranean herbs benefit from gritty, free-draining mixes—add horticultural grit or sand to multipurpose compost improving drainage. Productive vegetables appreciate nutrient-rich compost or blend multipurpose with well-rotted manure. Avoid garden soil alone—it compacts poorly in containers, drains badly, and harbours pests. Quality compost provides appropriate drainage, aeration, and nutrients supporting healthy growth. We can recommend appropriate compost suppliers, though most garden centres stock suitable options. For large planters, bulk bags deliver better value than individual bags. Factor compost costs into project budgets—large planters consume significant volumes.

  • Can you create planters for specific awkward spaces?

    Yes, bespoke fabrication accommodates unusual requirements readily. Corner planters suit triangular patio corners or awkward angles. L-shaped planters maximize corner spaces efficiently. Narrow planters fit alongside buildings where depth is limited. Custom heights suit specific applications—very low planters defining edges, tall planters screening views. Planters with cut-outs accommodate downpipes, taps, or other fixtures. Stepped planters suit sloping sites. Curved planters follow rounded patio edges. Standard furniture ranges never fit awkward spaces properly—bespoke fabrication makes problem spaces practical. For complex geometries, site visits allow accurate measurement ensuring fabricated planters fit perfectly. Templates or mock-ups can verify fit before final fabrication if spaces are particularly challenging.

  • How much do bespoke metal planters cost?

    ustom planter costs vary based on size, materials, design complexity, and finish specifications. As approximate guidance: small window boxes (800mm length) might cost from £50; medium entrance planters (600mm height, 400mm square) from £200; large trough planters (1500mm+ length, 600mm depth) from £300; substantial feature planters from £500. Hardwood and aluminium specifications cost more than softwood and steel. Complex designs or integrated features increase costs. We provide detailed quotations itemising all elements. Whilst our planters cost more initially than mass-produced plastic or thin metal alternatives, decades of service represent excellent value. Many clients start with 2-4 planters, adding more over time building coordinated collections gradually. Matching sets benefit from batch fabrication efficiencies.

  • Do you deliver and position heavy planters?

    Yes, we deliver metal planters across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Small to medium planters arrive empty  - we position where you want them and you fill with compost afterwards. Very large planters may arrive empty (you fill on-site) or partially filled depending on access and weight. We coordinate delivery with your project schedule. If commissioning planters alongside additional garden furniture items, everything arrives together. For entrance planters requiring precise positioning, we ensure accurate placement. Most planters simply rest on paving or decking—no fixing required. For locations where wind might tip tall planters, we can specify weighted bases or discreet anchor points. Delivery and positioning are included in quotations, ensuring transparency about total costs. For ongoing projects, subsequent planter deliveries add to existing collections.