Reviewed By PETER LICKORISH
Peter is a Horticulture Lecturer and self-employed Horticulturist, with a passion for diverse areas of the industry - from garden design to the science behind plant growth and propagation. He has completed the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture (MHort) Award and lectures on RHS courses at Bedford College.
The perfect combination of practicality and panache, barrels make great planters for ornamental flowers and culinary herbs alike.
Their solid oak staves and silver or black metal hoops add a rustic charm to their surroundings, while also being highly functional to boot.
That’s because they offer more room and better retention of moisture in comparison to your standard pots, but all the advantages of convenience and mobility that come with container planting.
It’s like having a mini-raised bed at your disposal!
“I love the contrast between vivid greens and the dark tones of the barrel,” shares Master Horticulturist Peter Lickorish.
“What barrels also provide better than most containers is some insulation against frost to the roots and a generous root-run.Â
“I prefer to line any barrels before planting, such as with plastic sheeting or old compost bags, to help them last longer. Ensure there are drainage holes.Â
“For plants loved by slugs, a barrel may not be the best choice as they provide plenty of hiding places.”
While barrels do lend themselves to an enormous range of different plants, there are some that will fare better in them and some that will look more attractive in them than others.
With that in mind, I’ve narrowed things down to my 15 favourite plants to grow in a barrel, for both amateur gardeners and experienced horticulturalists.
1) Agave
- BOTANICAL NAME: agave
- COMMON NAME(S): century plant
- HARDINESS RATING: H2
- PLANT TYPE: succulent / perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERS: yellow and green
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SUNLIGHT: full sun
- EXPOSURE: sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: sand or loam; acidic to neutral pH
- SIZE: 1-1.5m in height, 1-1.5m spread
Natives of the warm climes of Mexico and the surrounding region, agave plants are prized for the striking architecture of their foliage.1Agave. (n.d.). Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:325900-2
These succulents can’t stand frost, which is why planting them in containers makes perfect sense.
In fact, a barrel is an ideal option.
Not only will the wood retain warmth and moisture better than plastic or ground soil, but it can also be moved into sunnier spots if necessary.
2) Ageratum
- BOTANICAL NAME: ageratum petiolatum
- COMMON NAME(S): ageratum
- HARDINESS RATING: H2
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERS: purple and blue
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SUNLIGHT: full sun
- EXPOSURE: sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Also known as floss flower, ageratum is a genus that’s home to more than 40 different species of annuals and perennials.2Mahr, S. (n.d.-a). Ageratum, Ageratum houstonianum. Wisconsin Horticulture. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/ageratum/
The majority of them produce teeming cascades of bluish-purple flowers, which will blossom from early spring to late autumn.
Indeed, it’s only frost that will bring an end to their flowering, so the insulation provided by a barrel can prolong their displays that little bit longer.
3) Basil
- BOTANICAL NAME: ocimum basilicum
- COMMON NAME(S): basil
- HARDINESS RATING: H1C
- PLANT TYPE: herb / annual
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERS: white and pink
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SUNLIGHT: full sun
- EXPOSURE: sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: sand or loam; any pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
For those who enjoy cooking as much as they do gardening, basil is front and centre of the crossover on that particular Venn diagram.
It’s easy to cultivate and resilient in most conditions, while it can enhance the flavours of all kinds of salads, soups, kinds of pasta and curries.3Basil. (2022, May 30). BBC Good Food. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/glossary/basil-glossary
By growing basil in a barrel, you can choose its location for optimum access.
Why not place a barrel of that herby goodness by your kitchen door, so it’s within easy reach whenever you need it?
4) Bergenia
- BOTANICAL NAME: bergenia
- COMMON NAME(S): elephant’s ears
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERS: pink
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- SUNLIGHT: full sun / part shade
- EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.5-1m spread
Bergenias are colloquially known as elephant’s ears for the oversized appearance of their leaves.
It’s precisely this distinctive image which makes them a perfect fit for barrel growing, since the leaves will spill out over the edges of the receptacle in an attractive fashion.
The fact that Bergenias are evergreen all through the calendar, even accruing a red tinted tinge in the winter months and producing bright flowers in early spring, makes them an ideal addition to your outdoor display, while their easy-going nature can withstand most conditions.
5) Cacti
- HARDINESS RATING: varies
- PLANT TYPE: cacti
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): varies
- SOIL PREFERENCE: sand or loam; acidic to neutral pH
- SIZE: varies
Okay, so the barrel shown here is of pixie-sized proportions, but that doesn’t make it any less of a viable option.
You could grow these tiny cacti on your windowsill, or else replicate the same results with a full-size barrel outdoors.
Famous for their set-and-forget qualities, cacti require very little in the way of maintenance.
And while not usually grown outside in the UK, there are some hardy types that can survive many months of the year outdoors.
This is especially the case if they are covered to stop them sitting too wet, such as under a porch or carport.
They are popular for the intrigue of their architecture which, alongside the quirky appeal that barrels bring, could really make a statement in your garden.
“If I could pick any cactus for the job, I would go with Opuntia robusta, because its large form will match the generous proportions of a barrel,” explains Peter.
6) Chives
- BOTANICAL NAME: allium schoenoprasum
- COMMON NAME(S): chives
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERS: purple
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SUNLIGHT: full sun / part shade
- EXPOSURE: sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0-0.1m spread
Chives are a popular herb that, when their leaves and stems are diced and added to a dish, bring with them a mild flavour of onions that isn’t too overwhelming.
Outside of horticultural circles, it’s a little known fact that their bright pompom-like blooms are also edible.4Chive Blossoms. (2008, June 23). Bon Appétit. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/article/chive-blossoms
Even if you don’t plan to eat the flowers, they make for an impressive sight atop the upright stems of the plant, adored by bees.
Meanwhile, their low-maintenance nature makes them the perfect option for the barrel-growing beginner.
7) Chrysanthemum
- BOTANICAL NAME: chrysanthemum
- HARDINESS RATING: H3 / H4
- PLANT TYPE: perennial
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERS: varies
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SUNLIGHT: full sun
- EXPOSURE: sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: clay, sand, loam; any pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colours, Chrysanthemums are highly versatile but always impressive.
Here, their striking white flower heads jostle for position atop the dark brown barrel in which they’re housed, providing a pleasing visual contrast.
Like many other perennials, Chrysanthemums are slightly demanding plants in that they require you to properly set them up for the winter.
That means giving their roots lots of room to manoeuvre and keeping them safe from frost – both jobs at which barrels excel.
8) Cucumber
- BOTANICAL NAME: cucumis sativus
- COMMON NAME(S): cucumber
- HARDINESS RATING: H1B
- PLANT TYPE: fruit
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERS: yellow
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- SUNLIGHT: full sun
- EXPOSURE: sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH
- SIZE: 0.1-1m in height, 1-2.5m spread
Capable of bringing a crisp coolness to salads, sandwiches and thirst-quenching drinks during the summer months, a cucumber patch is a handy crop to have in your back pocket.
If you don’t have the space to create one, however, a barrel will do the job nicely.
Traditional longer varieties must be grown in a greenhouse, but smaller species can survive outdoors; either way, a homegrown variety invariably tastes better.
Just be sure to remove male flowers on older varieties, since pollination can result in bitter, seed-filled produce.5How to avoid bitter cucumbers. (2023, March 10). Suttons Gardening Grow How. Retrieved July 31, 2023, from https://hub.suttons.co.uk/gardening-advice/how-to-avoid-bitter-cucumbers
9) Daffodil
- BOTANICAL NAME: narcissus
- COMMON NAME(S): daffodil
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: bulb
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERS: yellow
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- SUNLIGHT: full sun / part shade
- EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0-0.1m spread
Daffodils are such bonnie flowers that they won’t be able to resist having a keek over the edge of their barrel to try and catch a glimpse of their own reflection in a nearby pond or puddle.
And who could argue?
The yellow against brown is a particularly handsome combo.
Extremely reliable, you can set your watch by the spring-flowering habits of a daffodil.
They’re especially well-adapted to containers like barrels, but to be honest they’ll do just fine in pretty much any environment.
10) Ferns
- SUNLIGHT: full / part shade
- EXPOSURE: sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: sand or loam; acidic to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1.5m in height, 0.5-1.5m spread
With their finely textured foliage which spreads and spills freely, ferns are a match made in heaven for a barrel planter.
The unfurling nature of their leaves is a fascinating sight to behold and one which will occur with little to no input from your side.
Ferns are one of the most diverse families of plants, ranging from petite and delicate to larger-than-life and lush.
As such, you’ll be able to find a variety that fits your existing aesthetic with ease.
“If I chose one to hold its own in a barrel, I would go for the evergreen and elegant Blechnum spicant,” shares Peter.
11) Hydrangea
- BOTANICAL NAME: hortensia
- COMMON NAME(S): hydrangea
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PLANT TYPE: shrub
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERS: varies
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SUNLIGHT: full sun / part shade
- EXPOSURE: sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; acidic to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1.5m in height, 0.5-1.5m spread
Another flower which comes in a supremely vast range of shapes and sizes, hydrangeas can be as big and boastful or as subtle and understated as you like.
In the image above, their oversized white blossoms bring a typically British feel to the barrel below, despite their Asian and American origins.6Hydrangea. (n.d.). Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30010546-2
They like moisture and detest frost, so a wooden container is ideal for retaining the former and repelling the latter from their roots.
Ensure they enjoy good drainage and dappled sunlight and you can’t go far wrong.
12) Periwinkle
- BOTANICAL NAME: vinca
- COMMON NAME(S): periwinkle
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PLANT TYPE: shrub
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERS: varies
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer / autumn
- SUNLIGHT: full sun / part shade / full shade
- EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 1.5-2.5m spread
Periwinkles are evergreen creatures which boast masses upon masses of purplish, blue or white flowers come spring.
The proliferation of blossoms cascading over the edge of your barrel’s lip will be the star attraction, but their year-round greenery is another bonus.
By and large, periwinkles are extremely easy to care for and can withstand most conditions, including colder parts of the UK.
However, some species can be invasive, so the clearly-defined boundaries offered by a barrel could be ideal.
They would combine well with a taller, central plant, such as a dwarf conifer.
13) Petunia
- BOTANICAL NAME: petunia
- COMMON NAME(S): petunia
- HARDINESS RATING: H2
- PLANT TYPE: annual
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERS: varies
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SUNLIGHT: full sun
- EXPOSURE: sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: sand or loam; any pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
The profusion of colourful flowers offered by Petunias is one of the main reasons why they’re widely favoured across the UK as bedding plants, alongside their hardiness and ease of growth.
Matched with geraniums as above, they’re a beautiful barrel flower.
Although they require little in the way of upkeep, they’re extremely tender to frosts and will stop flowering at the first sign of cold.
Although a barrel won’t prevent that inevitability, it could postpone it.
14) Sedum
- BOTANICAL NAME: sedum / HYLOTELEPHIUM
- COMMON NAME(S): stonecrop
- HARDINESS RATING: varies
- PLANT TYPE: succulent
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERS: varies
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): varies
- SUNLIGHT: full sun
- EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: sand, clay, loam; alkaline to neutral pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
You might not think it when you look at them, but sedums actually belong to the succulent family Crassulaceae.
Their proud, skyward-facing blossoms conceal glossy foliage below which belies their birthright.
Most types of sedums are low-growing, which makes them great for combining with taller plants in a barrel.
Having said that, the upright stems of Hylotelephium spectabile, like the plant pictured above provide a focal point all on their own.
15) Water Lily
- BOTANICAL NAME: nymphaea
- COMMON NAME(S): water lily
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PLANT TYPE: aquatic
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERS: varies
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
- SUNLIGHT: full sun
- EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: clay or loam; any pH
- SIZE: up to 10cm in height, 1-1.5m spread
Who said a barrel planter had to be filled with soil?
Water lilies are gorgeous creatures which float idyllically atop a keg filled with water, creating a picture-perfect addition to your home that not only looks great but will attract other wildlife, too.
As the name suggests, water lilies normally require a pond or lake to thrive.
However, for those with gardens too small to house such a feature, a barrel habitat can provide the perfect compromise measure.
“Selecting a smaller species, such as Nymphaea pygmaea, would be ideal for barrels,” Peter says.
