Container Gardens
Container gardens are one of the simplest ways to bring life into an outdoor space — especially in the city, where space is limited and every square foot matters. With the right planters and plant selections, even the smallest or most overlooked area can begin to feel layered and intentional — softening hard edges, adding movement, and introducing a sense of calm. What was once just a surface can start to hold texture, color, and seasonal change, creating a space that feels more connected over time.
Rowhouse Growhouse specializes in container garden design in Philadelphia, creating planting arrangements that are tailored to both your space and how you want to experience it. Each design begins with understanding your vision, then shaping a planting plan around light, shade, and how the space is actually used — selecting from perennials, herbs, flowers, and foliage to build something that feels cohesive and easy to live with. From initial concept through installation, every detail is handled with care, resulting in a container garden that feels natural, balanced, and designed to grow with you.
Small Space Gardening for Philadelphia Homes
What a delightful person Kristin is! Her eye for design, knowledge of different materials and clever problem solving make her a trusted resource!! Her calm demeanor in the midst of managing multi-layered projects all while assembling the most stylish container gardens in Philadelphia are like a breath of fresh air! If you don’t want your planters to look like every other copy paste around town and actually have some unique pizzaz- call Rowhouse Growhouse."
— Zoe D.
Custom Installations for Small Spaces
Every container garden begins with choosing the right planters and plant combinations for your space.
Rowhouse Growhouse designs and installs custom planter installations in Philadelphia that are shaped around your space, your light conditions, and how you actually want to use it. No two spaces behave the same — some are shaded and enclosed, others open and exposed — so each planting plan is developed to respond to those conditions rather than forcing a generic solution.
From the scale and placement of planters to the selection of perennials, edible plantings, flowers, and foliage, every element is considered as part of a cohesive system. The result is a container garden that feels intentional, elevated, and specific to you — not something off-the-shelf or repeatable.
Container garden installations may include:
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Architectural planters or raised beds
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A curated mix of perennials, herbs, flowers, and foliage
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Integrated self-watering or low-maintenance systems
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Vertical planting elements for added depth and layering
Each installation is designed to settle into the space naturally — working with light, shade, and exposure to create something that feels balanced, functional, and easy to live with over time.
Designing within the Space
Letting your space guide placement, planting, and structure.
Container gardens are especially effective in smaller outdoor spaces where traditional planting isn’t possible. Each garden is designed in response to the conditions of the space — how light moves throughout the day, where shade settles, how heat builds against surrounding surfaces, and how exposure shifts with the seasons. Rather than forcing a design onto the space, the planting is shaped around these elements, allowing even a narrow or underused area to feel more grounded, balanced, and alive. What might begin as a simple footprint starts to take on dimension through thoughtful placement, creating a sense of depth without requiring more space.
Potted plants, raised planters, and vertical elements are arranged with intention, creating structure while softening edges and shaping how the space is experienced. A mix of perennials, herbs, vegetables, flowering plants, and foliage brings variation in color, texture, and movement — from soft greens to deeper tones, from delicate blooms to more architectural leaves — so the garden feels layered and active without becoming overwhelming.
Because everything is thoughtfully placed and contained, the garden can shift over time — responding to changes in light, temperature, and how the space is used day to day. Planters can be repositioned, plantings refreshed, and the composition adjusted as needed, allowing the garden to remain flexible rather than fixed. Over time, what begins as a collection of elements settles into something more cohesive — a garden that feels grounded in its environment and naturally part of your daily rhythm.
"As a graphic designer myself, I love the way Kristin approached my project both visually and logically. She created such a calm and beautifully curated spot for me that I wish I could stay out there all year! The difference between a gardener and a real exterior designer, is truly seen in the way the whole space comes together. Especially if you’re looking for smart, stylish and
enviro-friendly design, I’d highly recommend Rowhouse Growhouse!
— Patti M.
Our Procedure
Every project begins with a conversation.
Consultation
We start with a complimentary fifteen-minute phone or video consultation to learn about your space, your goals, and what you’re hoping to create.
It’s a relaxed, no-pressure conversation where you can ask questions, explore ideas, and start to envision what’s possible — while making sure we’re the right fit to move forward together.
Site Visit
Next, we schedule a site visit to experience your space in person and better understand how you want it to function day to day.
We assess sunlight, layout, and existing conditions, take measurements, and talk through your goals — so we can begin shaping a design that feels thoughtful, functional, and tailored to your space.
Installation
Once your design is finalized, our team takes care of the installation, bringing every detail together with care and attention.
It’s a smooth, well-managed process where everything is thoughtfully placed and styled — so you can step outside into a space that feels complete, comfortable, and ready to enjoy, right from the very first day.
Container Garden Design for City Living
Container gardens bring structure, softness, and seasonal change into urban spaces, often becoming the part of the home that gets used the most rather than simply looked at. When designed well, they help define how a space functions, creating areas to sit, gather, and move through more comfortably while introducing planting that feels grounded and intentional.
Rowhouse Growhouse designs container gardens in Philadelphia with careful attention to light, wind, and how the space is used day to day. Perennials are used wherever possible so the garden returns each season, reducing the need to constantly replant while allowing it to grow in and feel more established over time. Shade-tolerant plants, trees, flowers, and even vegetables are selected based on what will realistically thrive in the conditions of your space, rather than assumptions about what should work.
If you're ready to bring more life into your outdoor space, we’d love to hear about your project. Let’s start with a simple conversation about your space, your goals, and what’s possible.