Lidl planter with trellis for £29.99: a smart privacy screen for small gardens

Anyone looking to get a balcony or tiny garden ready for spring soon faces the same issues: where should the plants go, how can you create some privacy, and can it be done without paying for an expensive screening fence? Lidl’s new offer is aimed precisely at this need: a solid wooden planter with an integrated trellis, arriving in UK stores for £29.99 and already being viewed as an insider tip for the gardening season.

What Lidl’s new planter is all about

As part of its gardening promotions, Lidl is selling a rectangular planter made from solid wood with a tall trellis built in. It combines two jobs in one: herbs, flowers or perennials can grow in the lower section, while climbers make their way up the trellis to create a leafy screen within a few weeks.

“A compact wooden box, a sturdy trellis – and over time, it creates a living privacy screen that takes up very little floor space.”

The planter holds around 20 litres of compost and supports up to 30 kg. This means it is suitable not only for a few small flowers, but also for more substantial plants with a decent root ball. The wood has been factory-treated with a water-based stain and, according to the retailer, is weather-resistant and UV-resistant – in other words, the planter can stay outdoors permanently.

Measuring approximately 60 cm wide, 28 cm deep and 100 cm high, it will fit on most balconies and patios, or beside an unused house wall. A plastic liner is included, so amateur gardeners do not need to find a separately fitting insert.

Why this planter is ideal for small gardens

Outdoor space in urban areas often involves compromise: a very small balcony, a narrow strip in front of a hedge, or a patio directly facing the road. Conventional privacy fencing takes up room and can often look bulky. This trellis provides a smart link between decoration and practicality.

A green privacy screen instead of a bare wall

The trellis is designed to support common climbing plants: fragrant sweet peas, clematis, nasturtiums or jasmine can turn the wooden structure into a vertical garden over the course of a summer. For anyone sitting beside a road or a boundary fence with a neighbouring property, it provides a soft green filter rather than an uninterrupted view of a wall or fence.

• Shields meals on the patio from prying eyes
• Creates a calmer feel on a balcony facing the road
• Softens the appearance of stark house walls
• Gives climbing plants a defined structure

Compared with a permanent fence, the overall effect is much lighter. Many people also consider a planted privacy screen more pleasant when children are playing in the garden, as the setting feels more natural than a rigid divider.

Family-friendly gardening at children’s height

One frequently overlooked benefit is that a raised planter is excellent for children. Instead of having to crouch or crawl around garden beds, they can water and dig while standing comfortably. Parents can keep an eye on things, and the lawn remains intact.

Those wishing to experiment with children could use the planter like this:

• At the front of the planter: fast-growing crops such as radishes, cut-and-come-again lettuce or marigolds
• At the back by the trellis: climbers such as nasturtiums or sugar snap peas
• Watering duty: children take responsibility for set days – responsibility included

This allows children to watch a real plant develop from a seed. It gives them a sense of pride while also encouraging them to spend more time outdoors.

Technical details: what buyers can expect

The discounter provides clear specifications for the new planter. Anyone checking whether the model will suit their own balcony or garden should keep the following details in mind:

Feature	Specification
Material	Solid wood, pre-treated with a water-based finish
Dimensions	Approx. 60 cm wide, 28 cm deep, 100 cm high
Capacity	Around 20 litres of compost
Maximum load	Up to 30 kg
Weather resistance	Designed for permanent outdoor use
Included	Wooden frame, trellis, plastic liner, assembly materials and instructions

Assembly generally requires only a few screws and a screwdriver. The fitting effort is considerably lower than for a full raised bed, and some users have the item assembled, planted and in place within a few minutes.

Which plants work well in the Lidl planter

The system’s main advantage is its combination of a compact growing area below and vertical climbing space above. Used thoughtfully, it can become a small but highly effective mini bed.

Ideas for food lovers: herbs and snack vegetables

For keen cooks, it makes sense to create a herb corner just outside the patio door. The planter can, for example, be filled with a combination of:

• Rosemary, thyme and oregano for Mediterranean cooking
• Parsley and chives as everyday staples
• Mint for tea and summer drinks, preferably with a root barrier so that it does not take over the whole planter

Sugar snap peas, beans or climbing tomatoes can grow up the trellis alongside them. Children can pick a pod as they pass, while parents have fresh herbs close at hand when barbecuing.

Colour for balconies and patios

Those who prioritise appearance can choose a mix of trailing and climbing flowering plants. Suitable choices for the lower section include:

• Trailing petunias or verbenas
• Bidens, calibrachoa and French marigolds
• Small grasses to add structure

Sweet peas, black-eyed Susans or nasturtiums can climb the trellis. The latter also brings a practical benefit: its flowers are edible and make a decorative addition to salads.

Care and durability: keeping the wooden planter looking good

Although the wood is pre-treated, it is still worth considering ongoing maintenance. Anyone hoping to use the planter for several years should apply a fresh coat of exterior wood stain every one to two years. It takes only a few minutes with a brush and helps guard against greying and cracks.

“Give it a quick coat of wood stain once a season – and the planter will easily last through several gardening years.”

During severe frost or prolonged rain, it is advisable to raise the planter slightly on small feet or stones so that the wood is not constantly standing in water. This lets it dry more quickly and noticeably extends its lifespan.

The supplied plastic liner offers extra protection for the wooden planter. Cutting a few holes in its base and adding a thin drainage layer of expanded clay or gravel will prevent waterlogging around the roots.

Why vertical garden solutions are becoming more popular

Demand for space-saving gardening ideas has been rising for years. Many people rent their homes or have only a small outdoor space. Traditional vegetable plots are scarcely feasible in these settings, whereas vertical systems are. A planter with a trellis works like a mini raised bed and espalier combined, simply in a slimmer format.

There is also something that many people only notice after trying it: their view outdoors changes. Instead of looking at wheelie bins or a garage wall, they see greenery. This can significantly lift the mood when working from home, particularly if a desk has a view towards the balcony.

For allergy sufferers or households with small children, such a planter can also offer a manageable alternative to an untamed garden. Only deliberately selected species are grown in it. Anyone with a strong reaction to certain pollens, for instance, can choose less problematic plants while still enjoying abundant planting.