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Sigma Planters Pty Ltd
Trusted by Building and Landscape Professionals Since 2008
Nicholas Jones has been a garden enthusiast since childhood, helping his grandfather in his North Balwyn garden (a Melbourne suburb). Although he pursued a career in business, he maintained his own garden and grew much of his own food.
To combine these passions, he studied horticulture in 2002 at Melbourne University’s Burnley School of Horticulture, a centre for urban horticulture teaching and research since 1891, is located within the beautiful, heritage-listed Burnley Gardens.
In 2003, Nicholas founded Gardenware, dedicated to sourcing high-quality garden tools and equipment worldwide. In 2008, he launched IOTA Australia under the banner of the UK-based IOTA Garden and Home.
While Nicholas now prefers shopping for fruits and vegetables at the Saturday market with his wife, children, and border collies rather than getting his hands dirty in the soil, he still draws on his extensive horticultural knowledge daily in sales calls with IOTA clients. His articles expand on these conversations, exploring client questions in detail, from the basics of planting in containers to drainage solutions and plant selection.
Here is the list of recent articles by Nicholas Jones:
Using extra-large outdoor planter pots offers a remarkably efficient way to introduce significant visual interest and structural definition to your garden design, often requiring minimal physical exertion for maximum aesthetic return. Their inherent versatility allows...
Lightweight concrete planters, also referred to as GRC (Glass Reinforced Concrete) or lightweight cement pots, have become an increasingly popular choice for our clients at Sigma Planters. So much so that you will see our most extensive range of shapes and sizes is...
Agave plants, particularly Agave attenuata, have long been favored by landscapers, home gardeners, and succulent enthusiasts—and for excellent reasons. Not only do these striking succulents exhibit gorgeous, sculptural foliage, but they also tend to thrive with...
Planting bamboo in garden planter boxes has become an increasingly effective and efficient landscape solution, offering benefits ranging from increased privacy to the creation of a tropical oasis. Blending striking visual appeal with practical functionality, bamboo...
Concrete planter boxes can be a valuable addition to the landscape architecture of public spaces. These sturdy and versatile structures can be used to add greenery and natural beauty to otherwise dull and lifeless urban environments. Not only do concrete planter boxes...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE IOTA Australia Rebrands as Sigma Planters, Ushering in a New Era of Expansion Australia’s Leading Online Planter Supplier Secures $1M+ Funding, Opens New Warehouses in Sydney and Melbourne, and Embraces Fresh Identity BRISBANE, Australia – [17...
Early Days With a passion for gardening and business, I studied horticulture at the University of Melbourne’s Burnley Campus and business at Swinburne University. This led to the founding of Gardenware in 2003—a mail-order business specialising in high-end,...
Round garden pots and planters are a classic and versatile choice for adding beauty and structure to any landscape design. Their soft curves and organic shapes complement a variety of architectural styles and plant life, making them a popular option for both home...
Fibreglass outdoor planters are a top choice for Australian landscapers and designers due to their versatility, lightweight nature, and durability. They stand up to harsh weather and offer endless design options, making them a popular feature in outdoor spaces. To...
Container gardening offers a versatile and visually appealing way to enhance commercial and high-end residential properties in Australia - if the right plants are chosen. By carefully selecting plants that are suited to the local climate and soil conditions, you can...
Want to turn your planter into a container garden work of art? Garden pots, especially Lightweight Fibreglass Planters, are a versatile and impactful way to enhance outdoor spaces, whether you're looking to elevate your home or enhance the street appeal of your...
Growing herbs, especially in Large Planters, is a convenient and rewarding way to enjoy fresh, flavourful produce right at your fingertips. Whether you have a small balcony, a rooftop terrace, or a limited backyard space, container gardening offers a versatile...
IOTA supplied 14 x Alaska GRC White Tall Round Bolla 680 garden pots to Rochedale Shopping Village in South Brisbane. These planters are fibreglass with a concrete finish and were chosen to enhance the outdoor area and introduce greenery to the front of the shops. The...
Azaleas, with their vibrant blooms and delicate foliage, are a popular addition to Australian gardens. Growing them in pots and planter boxes offers flexibility and allows you to enjoy their beauty even in limited spaces. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to...
For many indoor gardeners, the humble plant drip tray is seen as a non-negotiable accessory. We’re told they protect our floors, catch the run-off, and keep things tidy. But if you’ve ever mopped up a muddy spill from a pristine carpet or noticed your favourite...
The wisteria plant has very impressive blooms that smell really sweet in springtime. Growing wisteria in pots can be very rewarding, allowing you to enjoy their stunning blooms and fragrant flowers even in limited spaces. The larger the planter the better it will grow...
Ferns are versatile and attractive plants that can thrive in containers, making them an excellent choice for both indoor and outdoor planter boxes in Australia. With millions of years of history, ferns typically grow in forests, on rocky hills, and in sandy areas....
This guide gives you a clear and simple overview of drip irrigation systems for large planter gardens. These systems deliver water directly to plant roots, saving water and reducing waste. In Australia’s tough climate—with scorching heat and unpredictable rain—a...
Lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) is a versatile and aromatic Australian native tree that can be successfully grown in pots, making it accessible for gardeners with limited space or those living in cooler climates. This guide will walk you through the process of...
Many of our clients face the challenge of introducing greenery into concrete-dominated urban areas due to the limitations of planting space. Large planters offer a practical and visually appealing solution. By simply placing them on existing surfaces, these versatile...
As the technology surrounding fibreglass planters has improved and evolved, so too has the need for urban landscaping to adapt to this new environment. What was not possible before is now achievable with long-lasting, lightweight planters. Add to that a growing...
IOTA’s Florence lightweight concrete planters were used to enhance and decorate the plain white walls of the back of the building behind the train tracks of Rode+ CNTR. The planters were planted with vines which was not initially an option as the path was covered in...
Carbone Developments, in one of its recent projects, has installed nine lightweight concrete Rectangular Planters at Stafford Central at Stafford Road in QLD. The planters which you can find at 240 Stafford Road have been positioned at the front of a local café and...
Eight Manhattan charcoal trough planter boxes were situated at this parking lot in St. Josephs Tobruk Memorial School. Each planter measures 200 × 50 × 40 cm. The eight planters could cover at least a 16 meter walkway. In this case, you can see that the planters were...
Eight Moscow GRC Charcoal Cube planters have been used to add plants all over Flagstone Central Shopping Center. IOTA’s Moscow planters are finished with a rough sand texture for character. It is suited for contemporary designs and can be used for both residential and...
Five Milano Concrete Trough planters have been commissioned by Multi Span Australia in one of their projects at Berrinba, QLD. The Milano range of planters are made of fibreglass but comes with a concrete finish. This makes the planters lightweight, and also...
Twenty Manhattan Charcoal Cube 1000 planters have been used in the parking lot in Rosny Park Shopping Centre in Tasmania. The charcoal colour of the cube planters provide a nice contrast to the concrete. It even matches the colours of some of the surrounding...
IOTA's Manhattan Fiberglass Planters were chosen to spread some greenery in a car park at Buderim. Because the area was so large the designers opted for the largest of the range – the Trough 2000 to really stand out. Without the Manhattan Fiberglass Planters, the open...
Designers of a Car park at Bli Bli, Queensland chose our IOTA Moscow Planters. Moscow planters have a rough sand texture that perfectly fits with contemporary commercial spaces. In this car park, Moscow planters are lined up towards the wall to indicate borders and...
Gold Coast Deepwater Point Apartments needed a container solution for their poolside area and found IOTA’s Manhattan Cube 1000. These are great as poolside planters because of its size and material. The large Palms in their pool area was growing too big and started...