SMALL SPACES: New Impressions from the Balcony Garden

This year the weather is really crazy - very humid but relatively warm - at least most of the time. It's good for the plants because they grow like crazy - not so good for the blooms I must say though. Simply not enough sunshine.

I have grown 3 different Tropaeolum this year and they are forming a real jungle in the meanwhile and the bees and bumblebees love their blooms which is wonderful - even at a height of more than 120 feet!!! I love bumblebees. Here are some vignettes how even a small space can transform into a lovely little garden.

This was the beginning of May:

As you can see I have quite a lot of pots hanging from the ceiling which is doing the trick if you are very constraint with space (even my little Oleander tree is hanging):

 4 weeks later it already looked like this - the Tropaeolum started to climb:

Now this is the view I have when I am sitting on my balcony - the ugly outer world has been shut off completely - at least by sight:

Our pigeons love this jungle - can hide between the leaves and relax there:

My Epiphyllum gave me soom blooms this year again:

Btw - this year I have spent less than a 100 bucks on my balcony garden including all the new pots/containers, potting soil, new herbs and seeds and even my new Oleander tree. (Last one was killed in the awfully cold winter). You see you don't need to spend a whole lot of money to create a little garden in your modest home.
Btw - you don't even need to buy expensive seeds or plants. Some vegetables have lovely blooms and the green leaves are sometimes very interesting, climbers and non-climbers. And if you are lucky you can even harvest the fruit in the end. Last year I even had some beans on the balcony. Unfortunately the rest of the plant was eaten untimely by lice.

I am growing a lot of Anthericum as well which can serve as a filler for empty places, is easy to grow from its own branches and looks wonderful when blooming (the blooms here are from my cactus though).

And this is my balcony as it looks now - wonderfully overgrown:

 (all photos above ©Petra Voegtle)

Here are a few more impressions what you can do with your balcony:

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This is a real surprise for me that you can grow Brugmansia on the balcony:

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Such a balcony garden adds to a romantic feeling - doesn't it - and is full of life instead of grey concrete. The plants create a soothing climate on your balcony, keep off dust and even pollution to some extent. They can serve as a windshield as well as a sunscreen. I could not do without them any more...

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GUEST POST: Fire Glass

Here is a very interesting guest post by Emily Micucci about Fire Glass. This is an intriguing way to add some magic to your garden or terrace and add some alternative lighting:

Fire Glass

In my opinion, the best way to furnish a gas fire pit or table is not with faux logs or lava, but with decorative fire glass. Smooth fire glass beads, designed to withstand white hot temperatures, electrify the scene in your outdoor living space. You’ll introduce a vibrant pop of color, or an iridescent pool of crystals, depending on the hue you choose.

Assuming you already have a fire feature to fill with fire glass, you can get right to the fun stuff. Choose a fire glass retailer that offers advice on how much you’ll need, as well as detailed product information. Often, fire glass retailers will give you criteria for calculating exactly how much glass you’ll need, based on the size of your fire pit or fire place. This is ideal, since you don’t want to order more than you need.

Next, make sure you choose a color that will have the most impact on the setting. Here is a beautiful example from Houzz.com. The cobalt blue is so striking.

modern landscape design

For a coastal retreat, I prefer a more pastel look—something that emulates the color of water.

Of course, you can always take the neutral route. White, silver or gold create a glowing ambiance perfect for virtually any setting. I love the sparkling gold set-up shown in this photo, courtesy of firepitglassrocks.com.

Fire glass lasts for years without losing its luster, so even if you’re not convinced by these gorgeous examples, look at it from a practical standpoint. It’s always beautiful, never cheesy, and looks like a lake on fire when you flip on your gas fire pit!

By Emily Micucci, my firepits.com

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Thank you, Emily, for this lovely post.

Here are some more pics about fire places of this kind because I find them very inspirational:

modern landscape design

modern landscape design by san luis obispo landscape architect Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture

modern pool design by san francisco landscape architect Huettl Landscape Architecture

mediterranean patio design by san luis obispo landscape architect Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture

mediterranean patio design by san luis obispo landscape architect Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture

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Now look at this view:

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And for indoor use:

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GUEST POST: Interior Designing with Topiaries

I simply love plants and I could not imagine living in a home without any plants. So this guest post by Jenna Lee Smith is right up my aisle:


Interior Designing With Topiaries
The horticultural practice known as 'topiary' dates back centuries and has been used for everything from Roman castle entrances, courtyards, and portable displays at Disneyland to subtle indoor decorating in modern homes. Popularized in films such as Edward Scissorhands, The Shining, and Errol Morris's delightful documentary Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control, most people don't realize that topiary displays can be used subtly to achieve remarkable effects, both outdoor and indoor. Indeed, both faux and real topiaries made from evergreen create a one-of-a-kind decorum to your living room, bathroom or bedroom. Here are some of your best options for uniquely artistic indoor horticultural design:

Chinese Evergreen—Boasting minimalistic care-taking and dark green and silver tones, Chinese Evergreen is durable and works wonderfully for indoor contours and corners. Compatible with a variety of styles, including Feng Shui, pair this plant with low lights and virtually any furniture you want. It even works in home offices, for which you can acquire any number of appropriate accessories and furnishing at the RoomPlace furniture stores.

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Angel Ivy Ring Topiary—Angel ivy, or wire vine, is a perfect accessorizing plant because it grows fast, contains thick foliage, and works well as a frame for flowers, lights, and even furniture. Popular among gardeners for its versatility and stylish festivity, angel ivy proves you don't need to be outdoors to harness the aesthetic power of the topiary.

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Miniature Herb Topiaries—Herbal topiaries comprising lavender, rosemary, serissa, and a variety of other herbs can be lively and verdant additions to a room. Mixing the benefits of wonderful fragrances and pleasing shapes, herbal topiaries work great in sunny kitchen window sills or as refreshing bathroom accessories.

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Cactus Combo Bonsai—This one's not for everyone, but can certainly add an interesting flourish to non-traditional rooms. A mosaic of different cacti shapes and colors can afford an interior space a Southwestern motif or an exotic centerpiece for an indoor fountain. They're also perfect for table tops and window sills and require very little maintenance.

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Myrtle topiaries—Though miniature myrtle topiaries are better suited for outdoor use, during cooler months they can be used indoors if they are rotated often. Myrtle adds a naturalistic touch to rooms.
Interior designing can receive a nice artistic infusion of green vitality from plants, vegetation and topiaries. Many interior decorators insist that topiaries can be the saving grace in the layout of a room. Look into Angel Ivy Rings, Chinese Evergreen, Miniature Herb, Cactus Combo Bonsai, and Myrtle Topiaries can all bring fresh perspectives to your home interiors.

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Thank you, Jenna, for this lovely article!

I have added some image examples for herb topiaries for the garden - a personal favourite of mine:

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