Garden Troughs

Garden troughs are made from hypertufa, a cement-based product. Hypertufa is a material that is easily worked with. At the proper stage in its curing, textural interest can be added to the surface of the planter. It is also porous enough to allow the surface to hold moisture for those mosses and lichens that add character and give an aged appearance to your garden.

The natural porosity of hypertufa also provides some thermal insulation. Although not as durable as concrete, it will hold together for a decade or more, which is significantly longer than many other plant containers. Good drainage will aid in increasing longevity, as there will be less water retained to freeze and thaw and to contract and expand, damaging both container and plants. The trough will not be immediately ready for planting; it will need to be cured for a one month. Even then, additional time is recommended so that any excess free lime will leech away through the slow weathering process.

Troughs are a beautiful addition to any garden. They are made and acquired singly and then placed to stand alone. However, when a few are grouped together, either as a feature complete in themselves or integrated with existing features of the house or garden, these unique troughs become a real showpiece.

The garden troughs shown in these photographs are established elements in our clients' gardens or are part of Urban Design's experiments with different plants. If you would like to expand your collection of plant material by adding interest to your patio, walkway, or stonewall, please contact us at Urban Design. We will construct distinctive troughs of any size and shape in our shop or on your property, designed exclusively for you.