Answers to the questions we're asked most about Jay Scotts fiberglass planters: materials, sizing, care, shipping and returns. If yours isn't here, email customerservice@sereneyards.com and we'll reply within one business day.
About the planters
What are your planters made of?
Fiberglass, every one of them. Jay Scotts finish theirs to order in an automotive-grade paint system. We do not list concrete, terracotta, metal or wood.
Which brands do you carry?
We carry Jay Scotts, an American-owned company based in Dania Beach, Florida. We are an authorized Jay Scotts online dealer, and the full range is on the Jay Scotts collection page.
Do fiberglass planters crack in cold weather?
No, because fiberglass is non-porous. Cracking in cold weather happens when water soaks into a porous material, freezes and expands, which is what ends terracotta. There is nothing for water to soak into here. Jay Scotts publish their planters as frost-resistant.
What still matters in winter is drainage. Water that cannot leave the planter is the problem, not the cold.
Will the finish fade in the sun?
The finish is what resists the sun. Jay Scotts use an automotive-grade paint that offers UV resistance and can withstand extreme conditions, and it has been UV tested for outdoor use. With proper care, including regular cleaning, it keeps its look for years.
How long does a fiberglass planter last?
Jay Scotts state that their fiberglass planters can routinely last 15 to 50 years. They are made from high-quality materials like those used for other outdoor products such as boats and cars, so you can expect a long lifespan with proper care and maintenance: make sure water can drain freely, clean the finish with mild soap and water, and follow the handling and planting instructions that come with each order. Each planter also carries a three-year manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.
Do the planters hold up in very hot climates?
Yes. Jay Scotts fiberglass planters can be used in very hot and very cold climates without problems, and their automotive-grade paint finish offers UV resistance and can withstand extreme conditions.
Can I grow herbs or vegetables in them?
Yes. Jay Scotts describe fiberglass planters as appropriate for growing small fruit trees, blueberry bushes, strawberries or vegetables. Make sure the planter has drainage, give edibles a good-quality potting mix rather than garden soil, and be particularly mindful of any filler material you use below an edible planting.
Sizes and weight
What sizes do you offer?
From 7 inches to 60 inches tall, and up to 100 inches long for the extra-long troughs. Every size of every model is listed with its exact dimensions on the product page.
How heavy is a planter?
Empty, most are between about 5 and 130 lbs depending on size and shape. Every product page lists the exact weight for that specific size, so you can plan handling and access precisely rather than by rule of thumb.
Once planted, soil and water usually weigh far more than the planter itself. That matters most on a roof or balcony, and our rooftop planter guide works through it.
How do I choose the right size for my plant?
As a starting point, give the plant a planter a few inches wider than its current root ball, and choose depth for the root type rather than the plant's height. Trees and shrubs need depth; grasses and seasonal color do not. For a specific plant and planter, ask us.
Drainage and care
Do the planters come with drainage holes?
Not unless you ask. Planters ship undrilled, and we will add drainage free of charge if you request it. The choice sits on the product page next to the size and finish, and you have to answer it before the planter can go in your cart.
A drilled planter is final sale, because drilling cannot be undone. That is why the question is asked up front rather than at the end.
Can I drill drainage holes myself after delivery?
Yes, and Jay Scotts publish guidance for it. They specify 1 to 2 inch holes every 12 inches of planter space, with at least four or five on a 60 inch planter, and note that failing to follow their recommended guidelines is not covered by their warranty. Our planter drainage guide covers it in detail.
Do I need gravel in the bottom for drainage?
For Jay Scotts planters, use it as a separated layer: permeable landscape fabric at the base, a lightweight drainage layer such as rinsed gravel or lava rock, a second layer of fabric, then a well-draining potting mix. That is the method in the Jay Scotts owner's guide. The water drains through the holes, and the layer keeps them from clogging.
How do I clean my planters?
Jay Scotts say both gloss and matte finishes can be cleaned with standard household cleaning products such as dishwashing soap, avoiding bleach, power washing, steel wool and abrasives.
The full routine is in our planter care guide.
Can the planters stay outside in winter?
Yes. Jay Scotts publish their planters as frost-resistant. Before winter, check the drainage holes are clear and raise the planter off the ground so meltwater is not trapped underneath.
Do I need to empty the planter in winter?
No. It is not necessary to empty the planter in winter, because the material and finish are designed to handle expansion and contraction due to temperature changes. What matters is drainage: make sure water can drain freely from an outdoor planter, which is especially important where it freezes.
Can I plant directly in a fiberglass planter?
Yes. Jay Scotts planters can be used for direct planting. Fill them with a lightweight potting soil, not topsoil, and make sure an outdoor planter can drain. You can also set a nursery pot inside instead, which suits indoor use and seasonal changes.
Can the finish scratch, and how do I fix a scratch?
It can, in the same way a car or boat finish can, so take care during transport and avoid dragging the planter across rough surfaces. The finish consists of four layers. A light scratch in the top layer can be smoothed out with very fine sandpaper, and for deeper scratches Jay Scotts offer color-matched touch-up paint.
Will a fiberglass planter bulge?
Not when it is used as intended. Fill it with a lightweight potting soil, never topsoil, regular soil, sand or rocks, because that weight can damage the fiberglass over time.
Shipping and delivery
Is shipping free?
Standard sizes ship free by ground within the contiguous United States. Large and oversized planters ship by freight at a flat $395, free on orders over $2,000. The method and cost for the size you are looking at are shown on its product page before you order.
What is the difference between ground and freight delivery?
Ground arrives on a normal parcel vehicle and can be carried by hand. Freight arrives on a pallet and is delivered curbside. Freight generally needs somewhere the pallet can be received and a way to move it from there.
Which one applies is set per size, not per model, so two sizes of the same planter can ship differently. It is shown on every size.
How long will delivery take?
Your ship date is confirmed on your order confirmation. After dispatch, ground deliveries typically take a few business days. Freight transit is usually 3 to 5 business days once the pallet leaves, and up to 7 to the Mountain states and the West Coast.
Do you have any planters that are ready to ship?
Yes. The Woodland Collection (Aspen, Asheville, Sedona and Siena) is kept finished in stock and ships within 1 to 2 business days. Every other planter is hand-finished to order in the color you choose, which takes 3 to 5 business days before it ships, or 5 to 7 for gloss finishes.
Do you ship outside the United States?
Not currently. Orders ship within the contiguous United States.
What if my planter arrives damaged?
Tell us straight away and keep the packaging. Note any visible damage on the delivery paperwork before you sign for a freight delivery, and photograph the carton and the planter. Damage or shortage claims are handled separately from returns, and none of the final-sale rules below affect your rights if a planter arrives damaged or defective.
Returns and warranty
What is the return policy?
14 days from delivery, refunded as Serene Yards store credit.
A 30% restocking fee applies to all authorized returns, items must arrive unused, uninstalled and in the original box with all factory packing materials, and you need a Return Authorization number before sending anything back. Full detail is in our refund policy.
What cannot be returned?
Four things, and it is worth knowing before you order:
- Freight orders. Any planter that ships by freight truck is final sale. Your shipping method is shown on every size before you order.
- Any planter with drainage holes added, because drilling is done to order and cannot be undone.
- Custom orders made to a non-standard size, color or specification.
- Clearance and promotional items.
Final sale items remain covered by the manufacturer's warranty, and none of this affects your rights if a planter arrives damaged or defective.
What warranty do the planters carry?
Jay Scotts planters carry a three-year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. It excludes misuse, modifications and accidental damage. Per the Jay Scotts warranty, ensuring water can drain sufficiently outdoors is the purchaser's responsibility.
Trade and multi-unit orders
Do you work with designers and landscapers?
Yes. Trade pricing, specification support and multi-unit quotes are available through our trade page.
Can you provide CAD or product data for specification packages?
Yes, for most of what a spec package needs. Jay Scotts publish dimensioned spec sheets as PDFs, series by series. We can also supply exact dimensions, weights, interior volumes and product photography for any SKU.
What Jay Scotts do not publish is Revit or BIM families. Tell us which models you are specifying and we will send what exists for them.
Do you offer custom finishes or sizes?
We work within the finishes and size range Jay Scotts produce; we do not fabricate. Jay Scotts do offer a custom color match on request, though a custom color counts as a custom order and custom orders are final sale. If a project needs dimensions outside the standard range, tell us and we will find out what is possible.
The range
Still have a question?
Get in touch and we will answer it, or check the care guide and the journal for the longer explanations.