Pottery is one of the core elements in creating the Sage Garden Style look. I use pottery everywhere and if you like the look of casual garden style, so should you! It has been used in every culture since the beginning of civilization. Form, Style, and Function are key considerations when choosing the right pottery for your needs.
Form: Artisan quality products are a favorite here at Sage Garden Style, especially hand thrown, like the pottery by Guy Wolff, one of my favorites, but pottery can be created in molds from the master piece, cut, stamped, or a variety of other techniques to create many different designs.
Style: Style is as varied as the civilizations over time. The Chinese are known for their exquisite beauty of color, the Greeks for their perfection of form, and the Egyptians for their innovation in utility.
Function: Utility should be a primary consideration as you go shopping for outdoor pottery for your plants but there is a wide range of styles and preferences for most any personality. Look for frost resistant properties especially if you will be planting large statement containers as they may not be so easy to move indoors once the colder weather sets it. Some selections are more porous while others are waterproof. Glazed pottery tends to be more waterproof. This can be a blessing or a curse. At the end of the season, any standing water that freezes within your glazed pottery will be held within the container and can make it more prone to breakage as it expands and contracts with the weather, whereas more porous pieces with proper drainage may withstand the elements a little better. As a rule of thumb, you should always clean out the pots, move them indoors, and store for the winter, whenever possible. I actually like a mix of both porous and glazed designs. The porous variety, known as “biscuit” because it is unglazed will create a rustic, earthy, feel while glazed pieces with vibrant colors can create the perfect focal point.