Plants turn a shed with a counter into somewhere you want to sit. A pot of herbs by the hatch, a climber softening the side wall and a screen of grasses between you and the neighbours does more for the atmosphere than another neon sign.
Scent and herbs near the bar
Plants do several jobs around a bar: scent on warm evenings, privacy, shelter from wind, garnish for drinks and a softer edge to a modern or industrial build. Start by deciding which of those matters most in your garden, because a windbreak and a herb trough want very different spots.
Scent near the seating
Evening-scented plants suit bars used after work. Many climbers and shrubs release fragrance in the evening; check the plant label or the RHS plant finder for scent and flowering time. Keep strongly scented plants a little away from the counter so they do not compete with the drinks.
Herbs by the hatch
A trough of herbs near the serving side is useful and smells good when brushed. Mint, rosemary, thyme and similar herbs are common choices for drinks garnishes. Keep mint in a pot because it spreads. Herbs want sun, so check how much the bar shades the spot before planting; a north-facing hatch may suit a shade-tolerant herb better, and the RHS lists which herbs cope with less light.
Screening and containers
Screening
Living screens soften fences and give privacy without the solid feel of panels.
- Tall grasses and bamboo in containers. Pick clumping bamboo or keep it potted; running types can spread.
- Climbers on trellis fixed to the fence or a freestanding frame.
- Hedging in troughs for an instant line.
Our privacy screens guide covers trellis, panels and planters, and the Planning Portal limits on fence height still apply to trellis on top of a fence.
Containers
Pots and troughs are the easiest way to plant around a bar, especially on patios and decking.
- Use big containers; small ones dry out fast.
- Add feet to keep the base clear of decking. See garden bar on decking.
- Choose planters on wheels if you rent; see garden bars for renters.
- Water from a butt if you have one; see guttering and rainwater.
What to keep away from the counter
Some plants make the bar harder work.
- Trees that drip sap or honeydew can leave sticky marks on counters and seats.
- Plants that drop berries stain decking and attract birds.
- Heavy leaf-droppers fill gutters and hatches.
- Plants with thorns do not belong by walkways.
- Big flowering displays right by the hatch can draw wasps and bees towards the drinks.
Plants that flower attract pollinators, which is a good thing for the garden; simply put them a little away from where people put down sweet drinks. Our pests guide covers wasps in late summer.
Children, pets and toxicity
Some garden plants can be harmful if eaten, and some sap can irritate skin. We will not give a list here because it depends on the plant and the situation. If you have young children or pets, check plants before buying on the RHS website or with the nursery. See also our family-friendly garden bar guide.
Lighting and the seasons
Uplights under a tree or a festoon running over a pergola turn planting into a backdrop after dark. Keep cables away from soil you dig and use outdoor-rated fittings. See garden bar lighting.
Do not let climbers grow over the bar itself. Stems pushed under cladding or roof felt hold damp against the timber and lift the covering, and ivy-style climbers can be hard to remove later. Train them on a trellis set a little away from the wall so air can move behind it. See damp and ventilation.
- Spring: bulbs in pots by the door.
- Summer: herbs, scent and colour.
- Autumn: grasses, which look good as they fade.
- Winter: evergreens in pots and lights in the branches. See winter garden bar.
For a theme, let the planting follow the bar: grasses and bold leaves for a tiki bar, lavender and herbs for a gin shed, clipped evergreens in pots for a pub look.
Pick one big pot, plant it with herbs you will use in drinks, and put it by the hatch this weekend. Add more once you see where the light falls.
Quick answers
What plants are good around a garden bar?
Herbs by the hatch, evening-scented plants near the seating and grasses or climbers for screening. Check the RHS for what suits your soil and aspect.
How do I stop wasps around the garden bar?
Keep big flowering displays away from the counter, cover sweet drinks and clear spills. See garden bar pests.
Which plants are toxic to pets?
It depends on the plant. Check before buying, on the RHS website or with the nursery, if you have children or pets.
Sources
Primary guidance checked 10 November 2026.