Built-in planters brainstorming

Hi all, thanks in advance for your thoughts on this.

I'm in early stages of building a new deck at my place, and the concept/design includes 4 "built-in" planters (in quotes there because each of these planters will actually be free-standing and independent of the deck). The concept (see attached rendering) shows the planters with a natural stone face; I understand this can be achieved by either stacking pavers (e.g., unilock) up from grade in the shape we want, or by stick framing the planters, then cement board, then adhering a stone veneer. Alternatively, we can ditch the stone idea altogether and use wood to match the deck (we're going with 1x4 cumaru decking).

One of the issues we have to deal with here is that the planter that will be right next to the hot tub will have to be built partially on top of the hot tub slab (8" cement w/ rebar). Not sure if i need to cut a part of the slab before building the planter...

I'm here to ask for design/concept advice from you guys. Any ideas or feedback will be appreciated! Thanks!

early concept rendering. as you can see in other drawings, we're adding a third planter right next to the tub.

the tub is already there.



approximate dimensions. we have flexibility here.


hot tub slab extends appx 18" into area where planter will be.

 

As a spa owner I would suggest not building anything close to the spa. With maintenance and repairs you want to keep the access to the entire perimeter of the spa!

 

Can't see why you would need to cut the slab. I would build the planters as light as possible and use a liner for the plants but the liners need to leak so as to not trap water and rot the plants. Attach the planters with a few screws on top of the deck. Or by looking at your drawings, you could build the planters from concrete, or stone and use them for structural supports. You might need handrails too.