BALCONY
Hanging plants.Utilise the old garden ladder In a similar vein to a ladder shelf, making use of a simple disused garden ladder can give your garden or balcony an interesting lift. Make use of its steps, and slide a panel of wood across the lower steps for added shelf space and to allow your plants to grow over and around the structure. The older the ladder the better aesthetically, so keep your eyes open for Council clean-ups and websites that sell second-hand goods to pick up a preloved bargain.
. Century plant (Agave attenuata) The century plant is one of Australia’s most popular succulents because of its ability to thrive and flourish in many different environments. Pictured above as the star of a vertical garden, Agave species are equally at home in pots or garden beds. Their low-growing rosette form is tidy and easy to care for. Agaves are wonderful plants for time-poor gardeners because they require little attention to look their best. STAR QUALITY: Easy care
10. Bromeliads Bromeliads come in lots of shapes and sizes, many with colourful flowers and foliage. They are epiphytes (plants that grow harmlessly on other plants), so need very little watering and attention. Just top up the water in the cups at the base of their leaves occasionally. TIP: Some bromeliads love the sun, but most are good for planting in dry shady areas. They also grow well in pots and add a punch of colour to vertical gardens.
S. herrenaus and S. rawleyanus, Lady Palm, Gollum
Best plants for balconies My top four plant picks for balconies are: • bromeliads • aroids • begonias • epiphytic cacti They are all hardy, wind-resistant, relatively low-maintenance and have low water requirements. Succulents such as epiphytic cacti are a particularly appealing option if you lead a busy lifestyle, as they will survive missing the odd watering.
I like the Planter pot on the wall. Things to Consider - Space One of the first things to consider is how much space you have to work with in your balcony, and how you want to use that space. For smaller areas, it could be better to pick one larger feature plant for impact, such as a tall palm or a box of lucky bamboo, rather than lots of smaller plants. A multitude of smaller plants in individual pots can make a compact space look cluttered, however, in a larger space they could look charming and refreshingly green.”
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