Micro Gardens for Urban Living
No matter how small your living space, or the configuration of your home, there's always a spot for greenery
I believe everyone is entitled to a garden, regardless of where you live or your circumstances. This is coming from someone who, as a child, would fill her bedroom with as many indoors plants she could propagate or convince her mother to buy her! Plants breathe life and light into our living spaces, and have the ability to totally transform your home and garden into something spectacular. So don’t be put off gardening just because you rent, your funds are tight, or your space is limited – plants are for everyone. Here are some ideas to to help you inject a spot of greenery into your world.
Put pots to work
Inner-city living and pots go together like Vegemite and toast – they are simply made for each other. Pots are incredibly versatile. Grouped together on a balcony or in a courtyard, they can make for an instant garden. The best thing about pots, however, is that they can be used to grow anything your heart desires and then changed on a whim.
Pots have a variety of uses, too. They can be used with planting such as slender weavers (Bambusa textilis var. ‘Gracilis’) to create a privacy screen, for instance. Or, a single attractive pot can be planted with a striking combination of colourful succulents or eye-catching Bougainvillea bambino for interest.
TIP: If you are after an effective green screen or are looking to provide a home for a large shrub or small tree, make sure you choose pots large enough to sustain the mature plant you hope to grow.
8 ways to use pot plants to your advantage
Inner-city living and pots go together like Vegemite and toast – they are simply made for each other. Pots are incredibly versatile. Grouped together on a balcony or in a courtyard, they can make for an instant garden. The best thing about pots, however, is that they can be used to grow anything your heart desires and then changed on a whim.
Pots have a variety of uses, too. They can be used with planting such as slender weavers (Bambusa textilis var. ‘Gracilis’) to create a privacy screen, for instance. Or, a single attractive pot can be planted with a striking combination of colourful succulents or eye-catching Bougainvillea bambino for interest.
TIP: If you are after an effective green screen or are looking to provide a home for a large shrub or small tree, make sure you choose pots large enough to sustain the mature plant you hope to grow.
8 ways to use pot plants to your advantage
Climb the walls
Vertical gardens can be used both inside and out, but work exceptionally well on small balconies where there is often a drab wall begging for a bit of greenery. Space may be tight but easy-to-install vertical gardens like these Woolly Pockets (living wall planters) don’t take up much room and can be planted with almost anything.
Succulents are good options for a sunny spot, like the block wall pictured. A stunning result can also be accomplished with the use of a simple climbing plant such as star jasmine (trachelospermum jasminoides), which can be grown in a pot and trained to climb the wall using a support such as wires.
TIP: Make sure you install the garden on the wall you see the most from, say, the kitchen or your sofa, so you can enjoy the greenery from multiple angles, inside and out.
How to create a vertical garden
Vertical gardens can be used both inside and out, but work exceptionally well on small balconies where there is often a drab wall begging for a bit of greenery. Space may be tight but easy-to-install vertical gardens like these Woolly Pockets (living wall planters) don’t take up much room and can be planted with almost anything.
Succulents are good options for a sunny spot, like the block wall pictured. A stunning result can also be accomplished with the use of a simple climbing plant such as star jasmine (trachelospermum jasminoides), which can be grown in a pot and trained to climb the wall using a support such as wires.
TIP: Make sure you install the garden on the wall you see the most from, say, the kitchen or your sofa, so you can enjoy the greenery from multiple angles, inside and out.
How to create a vertical garden
Frame your view
Window boxes and balcony boxes are something I grew up with in North America. A recent trip to NYC and Nova Scotia, Canada, reminded me of their merit. Australia’s sun and lack of rain at times makes small outside planters of any kind a challenge, but in a south-facing inner-city terraces, window boxes can be the perfect way to dress a home, increasing ‘street appeal’ where no garden would otherwise exist.
Window boxes and balcony boxes are something I grew up with in North America. A recent trip to NYC and Nova Scotia, Canada, reminded me of their merit. Australia’s sun and lack of rain at times makes small outside planters of any kind a challenge, but in a south-facing inner-city terraces, window boxes can be the perfect way to dress a home, increasing ‘street appeal’ where no garden would otherwise exist.
Balcony boxes are very much like troughs but smaller and best when elevated to eye level or hung on the balustrade of balconies and decks to soften the view to the larger landscape. They work well with flowers and herbs but ensure you water them often as their small size will dry out quicker than larger vessels.
No-fail plants for a balcony garden
No-fail plants for a balcony garden
Hang on
Don’t miss the opportunity to hang pots and baskets with plants in your home, courtyard, balcony or verandah. Hanging plants adds vertical interest to a sunny space, can brighten a shady corner or block an undesirable view. Hanging gardens need a little extra attention because they dry out more easily than traditional pots with saucers. They can also make a mess when watered, but in the correct setting, like over this bathtub, devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum), pictured, will thrive in the warmth and humidity of the bathroom.
Take your plants off the ground
Don’t miss the opportunity to hang pots and baskets with plants in your home, courtyard, balcony or verandah. Hanging plants adds vertical interest to a sunny space, can brighten a shady corner or block an undesirable view. Hanging gardens need a little extra attention because they dry out more easily than traditional pots with saucers. They can also make a mess when watered, but in the correct setting, like over this bathtub, devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum), pictured, will thrive in the warmth and humidity of the bathroom.
Take your plants off the ground
Skip the soil
Air plants (tillandsia sp.) make perfect indoor plants, especially for those who don’t have much space for a garden or don’t want the fuss of pot plants. Air plants require little attention, which makes them a good match for busy people and frequent travellers. They can be left unwatered for weeks, so long as you give them a good soak before you leave them, and again on your return. Hanging glass baubles show air plants off beautifully but they are happy to live in any vessel or on any surface as long as their needs are met. They thrive with indirect sunlight, ample moisture and good airflow.
Air plants (tillandsia sp.) make perfect indoor plants, especially for those who don’t have much space for a garden or don’t want the fuss of pot plants. Air plants require little attention, which makes them a good match for busy people and frequent travellers. They can be left unwatered for weeks, so long as you give them a good soak before you leave them, and again on your return. Hanging glass baubles show air plants off beautifully but they are happy to live in any vessel or on any surface as long as their needs are met. They thrive with indirect sunlight, ample moisture and good airflow.
Take to orchids
Cut flowers are divine but they never seem to last long enough. A great way to extend the beauty of the blossom is to purchase an orchid such as the bold flowering Cymbidium or a more delicate Wilsonara sp. For maximum longevity, choose orchids with multiple branches, some in flower and some in bud. Orchids look luxurious and exotic and while the cost may be greater than a bunch of flowers, their blossoms can last for weeks and even months. If orchids aren’t for you but you love flowers, head to the nursery to see what is in season in the ‘potted colour’ section.
How to grow orchids that thrive
Cut flowers are divine but they never seem to last long enough. A great way to extend the beauty of the blossom is to purchase an orchid such as the bold flowering Cymbidium or a more delicate Wilsonara sp. For maximum longevity, choose orchids with multiple branches, some in flower and some in bud. Orchids look luxurious and exotic and while the cost may be greater than a bunch of flowers, their blossoms can last for weeks and even months. If orchids aren’t for you but you love flowers, head to the nursery to see what is in season in the ‘potted colour’ section.
How to grow orchids that thrive
Try a tiny treasure
Even in the smallest of homes, there is room for a little green. The recent resurgence in indoor plants has increased interest in terrariums, hanging moss balls (kokedama) and bespoke vessels, which has made indoor gardens a lot of fun. But it goes beyond hobbies and aesthetics. Indoor plants have real benefits to our health and wellbeing, too. Studies show that plants purify the air we breathe, reduce stress, elevate mood and enhance creativity. A micro-garden placed on a well-lit space such as a desk, table, bathroom vanity or kitchen bench aren’t just pretty to look at but are good for you, too. Even more reason to bring a little garden into your world.
TELL US
How do you add greenery to your urban lifestyle? Upload a picture in the Comments.
MORE
Happy House Plants, Happy People
8 Ways House Plants Can Improve Your Health
How to Grow Edibles on Your Balcony
Even in the smallest of homes, there is room for a little green. The recent resurgence in indoor plants has increased interest in terrariums, hanging moss balls (kokedama) and bespoke vessels, which has made indoor gardens a lot of fun. But it goes beyond hobbies and aesthetics. Indoor plants have real benefits to our health and wellbeing, too. Studies show that plants purify the air we breathe, reduce stress, elevate mood and enhance creativity. A micro-garden placed on a well-lit space such as a desk, table, bathroom vanity or kitchen bench aren’t just pretty to look at but are good for you, too. Even more reason to bring a little garden into your world.
TELL US
How do you add greenery to your urban lifestyle? Upload a picture in the Comments.
MORE
Happy House Plants, Happy People
8 Ways House Plants Can Improve Your Health
How to Grow Edibles on Your Balcony
Troughs are great tools for directing traffic and creating barriers. Combined with planting, they can add formality and structure into small gardens and on balconies, and, because of their narrow width, are easily accommodated, too.
The troughs in the image are planted with hedges, which frame and enclose the dining area to provide a feeling of protection while making the most of an amazing view. Japanese box (Buxus microphylla var. japonica) is a great plant for low hedging in Sydney and Melbourne, while Murraya paniculata ‘Min-A-Min’ works best in subtropical gardens.
Make your hedges work for you