Very tall planter - suggestions on what to fill with?

SeattleMegan

We have a new, very tall (about 3.5' tall) ceramic planter that I want to plant flowers in this Spring/summer.  But, it will take a lot of dirt to completely fill it, not to mention how heavy it will become!  What do you do instead?  Are there any secrets on how to fill all that space? 

alliapistor

I put packing peanuts in the bottom of mine.  Then gravel to help drainage.  Then topsoil.  Then the plant.  The first year, I did plastic upside down plastic brownie containers with holes drilled in them but they got crushed.

If you go with packing peanuts - some are made of starch so that they will dissolve in water.  Obviously, you don't want to use that kind.

GoldenGibson

You can also fill it halfway with empty plastic bottles from soda/water. I think those kind of containers look great with an ornamental grass and a trailing plant like a wave petunia.

SeattleMegan

Thanks for the suggestions!

~NB~

GoldenGibson:

I think those kind of containers look great with an ornamental grass and a trailing plant like a wave petunia.

I like this idea.