Lidl Planter with Trellis: More Privacy for Small Gardens

From March, discount retailer Lidl is adding a new item to its garden range that should particularly appeal to owners of compact patios, balconies and terraced-house gardens: a solid wooden planter with an integrated trellis at a promotional price. The combination is designed to provide more greenery, greater privacy and manageable maintenance – ideal for anyone wanting to get more from their outdoor space without undertaking major alterations.

What Lidl’s new planter with trellis offers

The promotion centres on the “Parkside Planter with Trellis”. In the UK, the unit costs £29.99; comparable offers in other markets are usually priced within a similar euro range. Its key feature is the combination of a conventional rectangular planter at the bottom and a tall trellis above it, creating space for climbing plants as well as additional screening.

“A single garden feature that can be planted up while also shielding you from prying eyes – that is precisely what makes this product appealing.”

The planter is made from solid wood and is factory-treated with a water-based stain. A plastic liner sits inside to prevent soil and water from coming into direct contact with the timber. The container holds around 20 litres, while its maximum load is approximately 30 kilograms. Measuring 60 centimetres wide, 28 centimetres deep and roughly one metre high overall, it can fit on narrow balconies too.

Why the Lidl planter suits small gardens

Anyone with a narrow balcony, tiny patio or very small terraced-house garden will know the challenge: every square centimetre needs to count. A planter with a trellis makes use of vertical space rather than taking up more ground area – and that is its main strength.

• Minimal footprint: 60 x 28 cm is suitable even for cramped balconies.
• More height, greater impact: The trellis adds structure up to eye level.
• Two purposes in one: Flowering plants below, privacy screening above.
• Flexible placement: Suitable for balconies, patios and garden beds.

These features are especially useful in built-up residential areas. If a seating area faces directly onto a pavement or road, a densely planted climbing support can interrupt the line of sight. Instead of looking at bare fencing, you see living greenery – often within just a few weeks when fast-growing climbers are used.

A child-friendly introduction to raised planting

One benefit that is easily overlooked is how well this raised planter works for children. Young gardeners do not need to bend down, the soil is clearly contained and it is less likely to end up all over the lawn.

“A little planter of their own, where children can sow, water and harvest, reinforces the feeling: ‘This is my little piece of garden.’”

For example, parents can use the planter to begin straightforward projects such as:

• cress, radishes or cut-and-come-again lettuce, which deliver quick results
• colourful nasturtiums, whose flowers are edible
• fragrant herbs such as mint or lemon balm

Children can watch seeds develop into plants and help out from the start. At the same time, the rest of the garden remains reasonably undisturbed because digging takes place in one clearly designated spot.

Privacy without a concrete wall: how the trellis works

The product’s upper section is a traditional wooden trellis. It is suitable for annual climbers and perennial plants alike, provided they do not become too heavy.

Suitable plants for the trellis

Those seeking fast privacy screening with as little effort as possible should choose quick-growing varieties. Examples include:

• Sweet pea: rapid growth, richly coloured flowers and a strong fragrance
• Nasturtium: edible flowers, decorative trailing stems and easy to sow
• Runner bean: edible pods, striking flowers and fast upward growth
• Morning glory: plenty of flowers and quickly forms a green screen

For a longer-term approach, the trellis can be planted with clematis or hardy climbing hydrangea, for instance. However, bear in mind that the wood and construction are not intended for exceptionally heavy, mature climbing plants. Regular pruning helps keep everything balanced.

What grows well in the planter itself

The lower container holds around 20 litres, which allows for more planting possibilities than may be apparent at first glance. Good drainage is important: add a layer of clay pebbles or gravel at the bottom, then fill it with high-quality compost.

“Those who combine plants cleverly can create a miniature mix of productive and ornamental gardening.”

Practical planting ideas

• Herb planter: rosemary, thyme, oregano and chives, positioned right by the kitchen door
• Bee-friendly flowers: calendulas, French marigolds and cosmos to attract more insects
• Snack garden: cherry tomatoes paired with basil, provided the position is sunny
• Shady corner: hostas, busy Lizzies or begonias where there is little sunlight

Anyone involving children could create a “snacking planter” – with strawberries in the container and sweet peas or nasturtiums climbing the trellis. This offers regular small harvesting successes throughout summer.

Material, maintenance and durability

According to Lidl, the wood is weather-resistant and UV-resistant, and has already been treated with a water-based stain. That is a solid specification for a promotional item in this price bracket. Even so, it is worth carrying out maintenance every one to two years.

Maintenance task	Interval	Benefit
Clean the wood with a brush and lukewarm water	Spring and autumn	Removes dirt, green deposits and fungal spores
Reapply wood stain	Every 1–2 years	Protects against moisture and helps prevent cracks
Tighten screws	Once per season	Maintains the stability of the trellis

The integrated plastic liner significantly extends the lifespan of the timber because the soil does not rest directly against it. Emptying the planter over winter and, if possible, raising it slightly off the ground provides extra protection from standing water and frost damage.

Where to position the Lidl planter with trellis

The location will determine what can be grown later on. Sunny positions are excellent for Mediterranean herbs or tomatoes, while partially shaded areas suit leafy vegetables and many flowering plants.

“The ideal spot is somewhere you pass regularly – then you are less likely to forget either watering or harvesting.”

On a balcony, the weight also needs consideration: the planter itself, plus 20 litres of compost, water and plants, soon adds up to several kilograms. This is not a problem for a typical city balcony, but with very old railings or projecting structures, it is wise to check twice before placing it directly on a railing.

Value beyond spring

The attraction of a system like this is that it does not look good only in spring. In summer, the planter works as a flowering privacy screen; in autumn, it can be filled with ornamental grasses or heathers. Even in winter, fir branches, small string lights or evergreen plants can create a little atmosphere.

Conveniently, changing the planting with the seasons means the same wooden feature can be used throughout the year. Spread across several years and many gardening seasons, the price of just under £30, or a similar euro amount, appears much more modest.

Who will benefit most from buying it

It is most useful for people who enjoy using their outdoor area but do not want to spend hours gardening. The work required remains limited: assemble it once, fill it, plant it up and then water regularly.

Typical users include:

• tenants with a balcony who are not permitted to install permanent privacy screening
• families with narrow terraced-house gardens wanting to create a green corner
• gardening beginners looking to start with a manageable project
• busy people who want to maintain only a few, yet effective, features in their garden

With a little thought given to plant selection, position and care, the Lidl planter provides a flexible garden tool that is far more than another decorative piece: it brings structure to small spaces, creates a degree of privacy and encourages people to sit outside more often – even when their garden consists of only a few square metres of balcony space.