Inspiration and Advice
How to Create a Balcony Garden
Not all of us have a big space to garden in. In fact, the first grown-up garden that I ever had was a balcony. It was small and sundrenched and the only view I had to look out onto, so I wanted to make it special. It’s also where I learnt to garden in pots, chop and change my displays and create a beautiful balcony with the right plants and design approach.
How to Assess the Balcony Space
Balconies can be challenging places to create a garden because they are often subject to extreme growing conditions. My balcony was blasted by the sun, other’s might be shady with little light - or anything in between, so choosing the right plant for the right place is vital. Before you tackle the balcony garden design, spend some time in the space, so you can watch the way the light moves and observe what challenges your plants might face.
The good news is that there are many plants that are tailor made by nature to thrive in whatever conditions your balcony has to offer.
While you are out there pondering the light, think about functionality too and how you might want to use the space. Do you want privacy? A quiet place to have your morning coffee, an edible garden to pick from or just a pretty view to look out on. All these factors will influence how you design your balcony.
Selecting the Best Plants and Pots for a Sunny Balcony Garden
Often balconies are hot and dry and exposure to the heat and wind can be a challenge. But one that can easily be tackled with the right selection of plants and pots. Make a statement on your sun-drenched balcony with clusters of hardy, beautiful plants. You can draw inspiration from the Desert and the Australian bush or go for a Mediterranean vibe—either way, your balcony will be a beautiful, relaxing retreat.
The best way to make a statement with pots, without the clutter, is to look for potted “families”. Each pot in the set has the same look, style and colour but the containers come in a whole family of different sizes, so you can nestle them together to create a beautiful, designed look.
Create a dramatic display with a family of Montague Egg Pots in black, white or rust. Fill the largest pot with a beautiful Bizmark Palm, which is both hardy to the sun and architecturally stunning. Plant a striking Agave in the middle-sized pot for a touch of Mexican style and then make a feature of Kalanchoe ‘Copper Spoons’ in the smallest pot. Or channel Mediterranean vibes with Olives, Citrus and Lavender in a family of decorative Riley containers of Riley Egg, Bowl, and Bullet Pots.
How to Create a Garden on a Shady Balcony
At the other end of the scale, balconies can be overshaded by buildings or trees and have difficulty catching the sun. Create a serene and calming oasis on your shady balcony with vibrant foliage, colourful flowers, and lush, shade-loving plants.
Start with colourful, lightweight containers like Northcote Pottery’s LA pots in glossy blue. Create varying heights with a mixture of LA Egg, Bowl and Bullet Pots then fill them with lush colourful shade loving plants like Elephants ears (Alocasia), Bromeliads, Cliveas and tropical Cordylines. The decorative LA bowls are perfect for vibrant impatiens, which create a splash of seasonal colour. Or you could make a feature of tropical foliage in Northcote Pottery’s Precinct Lite Black Moon Pots, which set off vibrant colours brilliantly.
And remember, the beautiful thing about pots is that they’re portable, particularly the lightweight ones, so don’t be afraid to mix things up and change your pots and plants from season to season.
You might also like to introduce the soothing sound of water, with a compact fountain, like Northcote Pottery’s Jackson water feature, which is perfect for enlivening a small space. You could even include a water bowl with floating flowers to bring a Zen feel to the space.
How to Create Privacy on Your Balcony
It’s not uncommon to have a balcony that overlooks your neighbours or vice versa. Experience privacy on your balcony without blocking the view by planting low-growing shrubs or hedges in large, stylish troughs. Start with matching Northcote Pottery’s Emerson Troughs in shades of black or white. Then fill them with evergreen shrubs that look good year-round. Acacia ‘Mini Cog’ is a tough, beautiful choice for a low screen, with gorgeous weeping lime-green foliage that shines in every season. Or try growing Agonis flexuosa nana, a compact evergreen shrub that forms a lovely potted border or informal hedge and boasts attractive red new growth. Westringia can also be clipped to form a low compact hedge, with dense silver foliage and pretty mauve flowers.
Don’t let the size of your balcony put you off either. Maximise your small balcony by using wall planters overflowing with greenery and mirrors that create the illusion of more space
How to Create a Vertical Garden in Your Balcony
Make the most of blank walls on your balcony with a vertical garden. I like to hang Northcote Pottery’s terracotta wall planters at different heights and fill them with tough, beautiful geraniums for a touch of Mediterranean style. Decorate balcony railings too, with matching terracotta window box planters. Use them suspended over the railing and fill them with hardy herbs like oregano, rosemary and thyme, which thrive with little water. Pick the herbs throughout the year to keep plants compact and spice up your dishes. Just be sure to hang the planters on the inside of the railing, so there’s no risk of anything falling onto the street below. You can also rely on mirrors to double the feel of the space. Position them so that they capture a beautiful reflection, or you’ll ruin the illusion.
Make your balcony an inviting room to spend time in too, by introducing a little table setting or reading nook. Look out for seating that doubles as storage, so you can maximise the space. Style your cosy corner with Northcote Pottery’s Italian Terracotta Eleni, filled with a compact growing Lemon tree like ‘Lots a Lemons’ or miniature fruit trees like Peach ‘Pixzee’, so you can harvest food from your small space. Include a little side table too, for hot and cold drinks and dress it up with Ava Egg Pots filled with vibrant red geraniums, to mirror your wall planters.
Note: Always check with your body corporate to see if any building rules apply that might affect your balcony design. Be aware of any weight restrictions and ensure you have adequate drainage on your balcony too.