Atlantis Pots: New Arrivals with Timeless Character

Atlantis pots have always had a wonderfully mysterious quality about them. Although newly made, they look as though they have been discovered in the ruins of an ancient garden or raised from the sea after centuries beneath the water.

That sense of history is created through the collection’s distinctive finish. Salt and sand form a deeply textured surface, with colours ranging from chalky whites and sun-warmed yellows to earthy greens, browns and occasional touches of turquoise. Each pot is individually marked, weathered and full of character. No two are ever exactly alike.

The Atlantis Collection are exclusive to us here at Caragh Nurseries and has long been one of our favourite ranges. The pots are made using modern materials and contemporary techniques, so while they have the appearance of ancient vessels, they are frost resistant and designed for life outdoors.

We have recently welcomed several new additions to the collection. There are quite a few to discover, but these three have particularly caught our eye.

The Bongo Jar: bold, sculptural and full of character

The new Bongo Jar is one of those pieces that immediately commands your attention.

Tall and oval in shape, it widens towards the top before tapering elegantly to its base. Horizontal bands of raised ridging wrap around the middle, breaking up its generous form and catching the light as the sun moves across the garden. Two circular indentations near the top add another layer of detail and intrigue. They feel ancient and intentional, as though each mark has its own story.

What I particularly like about the Bongo is that it carries the entire Atlantis story in one beautifully sculptural piece. Its scale gives it presence, the ridged banding introduces rhythm and movement, and its pale, mottled surface gives it the appearance of something that has weathered many lifetimes.

It works wonderfully as a standalone feature, especially at the end of a pathway, within a gravel garden or against a simple rendered wall where its texture can really be appreciated. You could also use a pair to frame an entrance or place one among looser, softer planting for a lovely contrast.

Planted or left empty, the Bongo is genuine garden sculpture. From the day it arrives, it looks as though it has always belonged there.

The Samos Pot: a quieter kind of elegance

Named after the Greek island, the new Samos Pot brings a more refined silhouette to the Atlantis Collection.

It is a tall and beautifully balanced vase with a gently flared rim. The body widens towards the top before narrowing gracefully towards the base, creating an elegant form that holds its own without ever feeling overstated.

Where some Atlantis pots tell their story through weight and monumental scale, the Samos does so through proportion and finish. Its textured, lichen-touched surface looks as though it has stood beside the sea for decades, gathering marks from salt, wind and time.

This is a lovely pot for introducing height without too much visual heaviness. It would work beautifully beside a doorway, on a terrace or as a focal point viewed through a window. Its simple outline also makes it a natural companion for more architectural planting, although it is equally striking left unplanted.

The Samos does not need to shout for attention. It is one of those pieces that quietly stops you as you pass.

The Atlantis Stew Pot: now in a new medium size

The Atlantis Stew Pot is already an established favourite, but we now have a new medium size available.

Before going any further, I should gently correct one rather misleading detail: this is most definitely not a stove-sized pot. The name may be modest, but the pot certainly is not.

The large Stew Pot measures approximately 95cm in diameter by 70cm high and is a truly monumental piece. Our new medium version measures approximately 58cm in diameter by 38cm high, retaining the distinctive proportions and character of the original in a size that will work in a wider variety of gardens.

Its crusty, weathered glaze moves through chalky whites and warm toasted tones, sometimes with a hint of turquoise breaking through. That variation gives every pot a wonderful sense of depth and provenance, as if it has emerged from the sea carrying the evidence of its journey.

The Stew Pot is frost resistant and made for years of outdoor life. Its broad, generous form makes it ideal for creating a strong focal point, but it is also particularly suited to use as a flowing water feature. The movement and sound of water bring another dimension to the textured surface and give the pot an extraordinary presence.

As every Stew Pot is handmade, dimensions are approximate and the colour and finish will vary. That individuality is part of its appeal: the pot you choose will be entirely your own.

Designing a garden with Atlantis pots

A well-chosen pot can do far more than hold a plant. It can anchor a space, draw the eye through the garden and give structure to an area that might otherwise feel unfinished.

In larger gardens, Atlantis pots have enough visual strength to stand alongside mature trees and generous planting. In smaller spaces, one carefully positioned piece can create a focal point without introducing clutter.

They are particularly effective when used:

• At the end of a path or vista
• Beside a doorway or garden entrance
• Against a wall where light can reveal their texture
• Within gravel, Mediterranean or coastal-style planting
• Among soft grasses and naturalistic perennials
• As a pair to frame a view or entrance
• As a still or flowing water feature
• Left empty as a piece of garden sculpture

My advice is not to be afraid of scale. A pot that seems substantial when viewed on its own will often feel perfectly balanced once it is placed outdoors among trees, buildings and planting. One confident piece can have far more impact than a collection of smaller pots dotted around without a clear purpose.

The muted, weathered colours of Atlantis pots also make them exceptionally easy to work into a garden. They sit comfortably with stone, timber and gravel, while their timeworn finish provides a beautiful contrast to fresh foliage and flowers.

Discover more new Atlantis pots

The Bongo Jar, Samos Pot and new medium Stew Pot are only a few of our current favourites. We have many more new additions waiting to be discovered, alongside the familiar Atlantis pieces our customers already know and love.

Every jar, urn and planter has its own markings, colouring and personality. That makes choosing one a very personal experience—you are not simply selecting a shape or size, but the individual piece that feels right for your garden.

Our latest Atlantis pots are now on display here at Caragh Nurseries in our pot display, where you can take your time looking at their colours, textures and proportions in person. Alternatively, you can explore and shop the full Atlantis Collection online.

Whether planted, used for water or simply allowed to stand as sculpture, an Atlantis pot brings age, atmosphere and a little sense of mystery to a garden. And for me, that is precisely what makes this collection so very special.