“Mary, Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow?”
In Mary’s case, very well, and her “silver bells and cockleshells” grow in window boxes on a little patio. I also don’t have a garden, but, I am lucky enough to have an apartment-length, wide balcony with ceiling and glass-paneled rail, that is begging to be decorated with plants and bric-a-brac. I am hoping I can easily—and inexpensively—make the area into my very own “hanging garden of Babylon” or at least a nice place to sit and possible eat a meal in. 
The key to success in creating small gardens on terraces, porches, staircases as well as balconies— is to apply the principles of good interior design to the outdoors: deciding on one main style, adding a focal point, and keeping everything to scale. It may be helpful to consider that there may be up to four separate sections in your “garden” space that can be beautified by also using containers that compliment the flora and the space:
Floors and Steps:
Pots, interesting stands, and tall plants will dress up your “ground cover” or floor area. One or more low ceramic pots full of succulents could be arranged on steps, and tall elegant urn type pots may be dressed up by planting a taller shrub like a dwarf spruce, surrounding it with impatiens and letting ivy cascade down the pot’s sides. Don’t forget about considering weather proof mats.
Walls:
Climbing vines, hanging containers, imaginative organic coverings and painted decoration are all good ideas for livening up a plain wall. A textured or weathered wall is more interesting than a plain cement or white one, and a wooden lattice or network of strings will enable climbing plants to spread over your empty vertical spaces. Some  climbing plants you might consider are: morning glory, climbing rose, clematis, canary creeper, honeysuckle, climbing hydrangea and of course ivy. For those of us who are more ambitious, the art of the espalieris a rewarding pastime; it is the technique of training trees or shrubs to grow against a flat surface. Attractive patterns may be produced.
Sills & Railings
Window boxes filled with spring tulips or other blooming bulbs are sure to bring attention to your windowsills. Later, these can be replaced with summer flowers. You might consider geraniums, lavender, sweet alyssum, and ivy. Or, you might want to plant herbs like sage, chives, thyme, and mint.
Fuchsias, impatiens, petunias and trailing verbena are suitable for hanging containers, and don’t forget greenery. Climbing plants may also be threaded through—or along, the top of your railings. If you don’t have railings but just a wall you could mount a lattice structure, or a bamboo extension to lend height and privacy.
 Ceilings or Overhangs
Trees, plant canopies, twigs or thatched “roofs” are good ideas for providing privacy, shade and decoration. Lattices or string structures could be devised to train tendrils to create a green canopy. Don’t dismiss bamboo, ferns, and large palm fronds as materials for weaving the ceiling of your special haven. We have even heard of avid gardeners growing lichens on roofs.
Choose Plants Wisely
and, if necessary, consult a guidebook or experienced gardener to find the right varieties for your Zone and for composing the look you want. Consider that balconies can be windy and may lack a drainage method. The amount of sunlight your space receives will definitely determine which plants will flourish.
Other Ideas:
What makes any garden unique is your personal touch and found art can be subjected to your individuality.
If you have a desire for a small rustic retreat, you might want to use distressed, old pieces like pieces of old tools, discarded wooden sign-posts, antique and vintage plant containers, twig tables and refurbished metal ice-cream parlour chairs.
For a more eclectic environment, let your imagination loose and use old machine parts, misshapen pieces of stone, wood and large glass pieces. (You could do your entire space with coloured glass containers, for example)
Think laterally when furnishing your little extra room; strong wooden boxes may be substituted for chairs, and flagstones placed across blocks can be used as benches and tables. I’ve seen an old surfboard used as a tall and stylish chair back; and old milk churns and washtubs can become sturdy seats.
Don’t forget your walls and roofs, and look out for masks, plaster plaques, garlands, funky old metal hooks and an assortment of lanterns, lamps and candleholders.
Me? I’m going to decorate the outside half of my air-conditioner with artificial greenery and brightly-coloured flora, and transform it into a new art form—techno-topiary!!!
Further recommended reading:
Container Gardens: Creative Designs & Projects by Susan Berry and Steve Bradley,
The Book of Container Gardening by Malcolm Hillier |
