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Shrubs in containers provide instant landscaping in places where it might be difficult to plant. They are perfect for dressing up a patio or terrace. Tom Tamborello shares his design for a truly unique container.
A potted shrub can give a garden far more flexibility than inground shrubs that are most often used to define borders and walkways. Without a great deal of effort containers can be rearranged to highlight certain varieties while they are in bloom or as foliage changes color in the fall. The containers themselves should complement the surrounding landscape and architecture. Ours combines cedar and slate to achieve a look that is at once traditional and completely fresh. Cedar is the optimal wood for outdoor projects. It resists decay and weathers beautifully. The slate tiles we used were of uniform size, making construction very easy. Every tile, however, has a different texture and color pattern giving each side of the container a unique appearance.
Materials:
cedar lumber
4 @ 3/4" x 2 3/4" x 18" (actual dimension)
4 @ 1" x 4" x 18" (all of the following dimensions are nominal)
8 @ 1" x 4" x 11"
4 @ 2" x 2" x 16"
4 @ 2" x 4" x 15"
8 @ 1" x 2" x 15"
Additional lumber to enclose bottom or support potted plant (scrap wood would be acceptable)
12" Square Slate Tile
Wood Screws, 1 5/8" and 1"
Wood glue, exterior
Paint or Stain, exterior (optional)
Tools:
Saw Drill (to drive screws)
Counter sink drill bit (recommended to pre-drill holes before screwing)
Sand paper (80 and 100 grit)
Paint brush (optional)
Directions:
1. Begin by laying out one side, face down to create frame. Start with two 2 3/4 x 18-inch pieces (sides) and two 11-inch pieces (top and bottom)
2. Put slate tile in place, centered on frame.
3. Glue in place, flush with the sides and bottom edge, the 16-inch long 2" x 2" pieces.
4. Glue in place a 15-inch long 2" x 4" (brace) beneath the edge of the slate. It should extend approximately 1/2-inch below bottom side of the frame.
5. Glue in place a 15-inch long 1" x 2" (brace) along the top edge of the slate
6. Screw through the 1" x 2" and 2" x 4" at their ends and in the center so that all four frame pieces are attached to these braces. Use 1 5/8" screws for the 2" x 4"s and 1" screws for the 1" x 2"s.
7. Repeat these steps to make another matching side (these are the "A' sides).
8. Assemble the 18-inch 1" x 4"s and 11-inch pieces the same way to make the other two sides, except for the 2" x 2"s (these are the "B: sides).
9. Remove slate tiles from assembled sides.
10. Take an A side and apply a bead of glue along one outside edge of a 2' x 2".
11. Stand up an A side and a B side so that they are resting on the 2" x 4"s.
12. Put two side edges together so that the B side overlaps the edge of the A side and the glued 2" x 2" makes contact with the B side.
13. Screw through the 2" x 2" into the B side at the top middle and bottom, making sure the A side and B side are firmly attached.
14. Repeat these steps for the remaining two sides to make the other half.
15. Join these two halves in the same way to create the container.
16. Sand entire of outer surface of container beginning with the 80-grit sandpaper and then the 100 grit sandpaper.
17. Paint or stain the box if you choose to. Allow ample drying time before proceeding.
18. Set a tile back in place. Secure to inside of container by bracing a 1" x 2" horizontally across it. Screw through the ends of the 1" x 2" using 1-inch wood screws. Repeat for remaining three sides.
19. Complete base of container one of these two ways: a. If you are intending to set a potted plant into the container you only need to set enough 15-inch long pieces of wood across the bottom to support your plant. b. If you intend to plant directly in the container you will need to cut enough 15-inch long pieces to cover the width, also 15 inches. you will also need to drill six to eight 1/2 holes to allow for drainage
Special Thanks:
Robert Bosch Tool Corporation