Winning Balcony Gardens: Small Spaces, Big Impact
Be inspired by these two award-winning balcony gardens from the 2022 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show
If you’re one of millions who are searching for smart ways to spruce up a small balcony, look no further. Dive into the winners of the Ryman Healthcare Balcony Garden Competition (2.4x1.2m balconies) at this year’s Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) for some small-space garden inspiration.
As well as showcasing their award-winning green visions, the designers share some great tips for designing small, beautiful balcony gardens.
Ad if you want more top-notch garden ideas, don’t miss our story on the 2022 MIFGS garden winners here.
As well as showcasing their award-winning green visions, the designers share some great tips for designing small, beautiful balcony gardens.
Ad if you want more top-notch garden ideas, don’t miss our story on the 2022 MIFGS garden winners here.
What plants did you use?
The large pot on the left has a Bismarckia nobilis underplanted with dichondra ‘Silver Falls’. The medium pot holds an agave ‘Silver Surfer’ and the small pot on the floor holds crassula arborescens ‘Max Cook’. The custom planter box includes a Strelitzia nicolai underplanted with Senecio serpens (otherwise known as blue chalk sticks).
What was your design thinking?
I wanted the Bismarckia nobilis palm to be the feature, so used a large 75-litre one – potted higher than the rest – and then staggered the smaller plants down in a cluster of three. Our design placed the Strelitzia nicolai alongside a row of Senecio serpens within the balcony seating’s ‘breathing zone’ (about two square metres) to get the full benefits.
Studies have shown that one plant per square metre improves memory retention. Our balcony garden includes more than two plants per square metre in order to promote wellbeing, reduce stress, increase productivity and improve memory retention.
And hardscaping materials?
Eco-friendly materials, including recycled bricks, engineered bamboo, and natural lime paint. The furniture, pots and soft furnishings are from our own store.
The large pot on the left has a Bismarckia nobilis underplanted with dichondra ‘Silver Falls’. The medium pot holds an agave ‘Silver Surfer’ and the small pot on the floor holds crassula arborescens ‘Max Cook’. The custom planter box includes a Strelitzia nicolai underplanted with Senecio serpens (otherwise known as blue chalk sticks).
What was your design thinking?
I wanted the Bismarckia nobilis palm to be the feature, so used a large 75-litre one – potted higher than the rest – and then staggered the smaller plants down in a cluster of three. Our design placed the Strelitzia nicolai alongside a row of Senecio serpens within the balcony seating’s ‘breathing zone’ (about two square metres) to get the full benefits.
Studies have shown that one plant per square metre improves memory retention. Our balcony garden includes more than two plants per square metre in order to promote wellbeing, reduce stress, increase productivity and improve memory retention.
And hardscaping materials?
Eco-friendly materials, including recycled bricks, engineered bamboo, and natural lime paint. The furniture, pots and soft furnishings are from our own store.
Are there any special features?
Solar energy is one of the cleanest sources of energy as it does not use any water to generate electricity or release harmful gasses, which is why we have installed a solar panel on our the roof to power the copper sconce wall light.
There is also a hidden retractable bamboo slider screen behind the curved wall that can be closed to create privacy.
What are your top tips for making a balcony garden work?
Minimise your colour palette and material selection so the area does not look too busy. This will hep create unity and a sense of balance. I would normally apply this to my planting selections too. When creating your balcony garden, consider the visual aesthetics of your apartment so they can be extended into the outdoor space.
And your final thoughts?
Creating sustainable outdoor living not only minimises the use of non-renewable resources but provides us with a healthier way of maintaining our outdoor spaces as it actively reduces water, air and soil pollution.
Browse more images of beautiful balcony gardens on Houzz
Solar energy is one of the cleanest sources of energy as it does not use any water to generate electricity or release harmful gasses, which is why we have installed a solar panel on our the roof to power the copper sconce wall light.
There is also a hidden retractable bamboo slider screen behind the curved wall that can be closed to create privacy.
What are your top tips for making a balcony garden work?
Minimise your colour palette and material selection so the area does not look too busy. This will hep create unity and a sense of balance. I would normally apply this to my planting selections too. When creating your balcony garden, consider the visual aesthetics of your apartment so they can be extended into the outdoor space.
And your final thoughts?
Creating sustainable outdoor living not only minimises the use of non-renewable resources but provides us with a healthier way of maintaining our outdoor spaces as it actively reduces water, air and soil pollution.
Browse more images of beautiful balcony gardens on Houzz
Second-place winner: Carrie Middleditch, landscape designer at Happy Place
Balcony garden name: A Cool Change
Balcony garden size: 2.4 x 1.2 metres
Tell us about this balcony garden
Often in small balconies, users are stuck with tiny, narrow pots. For that reason, I wanted to create more soil volume with a built-in design. By designing a large, raised bed I hoped to create the flexibility to grow more, including small feature trees, ornamentals and even vegetables.
My aesthetic goal for this garden was to keep things minimal and bring in playful elements, such as the curved benches and colour palette.
What challenges did it present?
I’ve found that the challenge – and also the joy – of designing a small space such as this is that every element counts and must always be designed with the whole space in mind. For that reason, each element must be multi-functional and/or have a solid reasoning for being included.
Balcony garden name: A Cool Change
Balcony garden size: 2.4 x 1.2 metres
Tell us about this balcony garden
Often in small balconies, users are stuck with tiny, narrow pots. For that reason, I wanted to create more soil volume with a built-in design. By designing a large, raised bed I hoped to create the flexibility to grow more, including small feature trees, ornamentals and even vegetables.
My aesthetic goal for this garden was to keep things minimal and bring in playful elements, such as the curved benches and colour palette.
What challenges did it present?
I’ve found that the challenge – and also the joy – of designing a small space such as this is that every element counts and must always be designed with the whole space in mind. For that reason, each element must be multi-functional and/or have a solid reasoning for being included.
Who might it appeal to?
My aim was to appeal to any urban apartment dweller with a small space to garden. The built-in elements have clean lines with little ornamentation, besides the colour, which can be customised to anyone’s taste.
Where do you see it working?
In any small, urban environment where green space is limited. The planter boxes could work in new apartment developments due to their low manufacturing cost and ease of customisation.
What plants did you use?
My planting for this balcony was inspired by a friend’s local space in Abbotsford where the garden received very minimal direct sunlight. For that reason, I’ve chosen hardy, shade-tolerant plants.
I used Acer palmatum ‘dissectum seiryu’ as a feature element in the space. I under-planted this with varieties with plenty of foliage interest and contrasting colours. Because of the relative size of the garden bed, I was able to include deciduous varieties that would provide seasonality, which would, however, still be masked by the evergreen plants in winter.
My aim was to appeal to any urban apartment dweller with a small space to garden. The built-in elements have clean lines with little ornamentation, besides the colour, which can be customised to anyone’s taste.
Where do you see it working?
In any small, urban environment where green space is limited. The planter boxes could work in new apartment developments due to their low manufacturing cost and ease of customisation.
What plants did you use?
My planting for this balcony was inspired by a friend’s local space in Abbotsford where the garden received very minimal direct sunlight. For that reason, I’ve chosen hardy, shade-tolerant plants.
I used Acer palmatum ‘dissectum seiryu’ as a feature element in the space. I under-planted this with varieties with plenty of foliage interest and contrasting colours. Because of the relative size of the garden bed, I was able to include deciduous varieties that would provide seasonality, which would, however, still be masked by the evergreen plants in winter.
And hardscaping materials?
I took cues from commonly used urban balcony materials such as brick and textured finishes. My aim was to keep these elements simple in order to let the built-in elements and plantings be the focus.
Are there any special features?
A multi-functional corner bench seat/planter box that provides space to sit, garden and store elements.
What are your top tips for making a balcony garden work?
Less is more. Establish a single focal point and ensure the other elements work harmoniously with it. Otherwise the space can feel cluttered.
Also, identify the growing conditions of the space (wind, sun, salt spray). Often I suggest that clients mimic the growing conditions with their plants. For instance, in a balcony with lots of wind and afternoon sun I would suggest a palette of coastal plants such as olive, westringia or agave.
Your turn
Which of these small gardens could work well in your home? Tell us in the Comments below, like and share this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Want more on award-winning small gardens? Don’t miss the winning small gardens from this year’s Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show: Urban Garden Inspo: Award-Winning Small Green Spaces
I took cues from commonly used urban balcony materials such as brick and textured finishes. My aim was to keep these elements simple in order to let the built-in elements and plantings be the focus.
Are there any special features?
A multi-functional corner bench seat/planter box that provides space to sit, garden and store elements.
What are your top tips for making a balcony garden work?
Less is more. Establish a single focal point and ensure the other elements work harmoniously with it. Otherwise the space can feel cluttered.
Also, identify the growing conditions of the space (wind, sun, salt spray). Often I suggest that clients mimic the growing conditions with their plants. For instance, in a balcony with lots of wind and afternoon sun I would suggest a palette of coastal plants such as olive, westringia or agave.
Your turn
Which of these small gardens could work well in your home? Tell us in the Comments below, like and share this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Want more on award-winning small gardens? Don’t miss the winning small gardens from this year’s Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show: Urban Garden Inspo: Award-Winning Small Green Spaces
First-place winner: Sara Correia, creative director and designer at Tempest Landscapes
Balcony garden name: Eco Apartment Living
Balcony garden size: 2.4 x 1.2 metres
Tell us about this balcony garden
I have considered sustainable futures by incorporating environmentally conscious decisions through design and planning. This balcony garden needed to embody the style of eco-apartment living so innovative sustainability, texture and minimalism came to mind.
Who might it appeal to?
It is a very low-maintenance, drought-tolerant garden so perhaps a professional or somebody who does not have a lot of time for gardening.
Where do you see it working?
On a north-facing balcony, as these plants require full sun.
Could your garden do with a professional eye? Find a landscape designer near you on Houzz