An urban garden is a glorious but tricky thing. Spaces are often small and in shade for much of the day. You might not have room for your trowels and compost. But get it right and you’ll be sitting pretty among your flourishing blooms, drink in hand.
So, what do you look for in those star-performing plants?
Greenery that grows up more than out
If you’re working with limited square footage, make use of your vertical space with trellises, wall planters and hanging baskets. Before you head to the garden centre, figure out your design – including an area for seating if there’s room. Here are some ideas for plants:
Wall space
- Climbing flowers such as roses for a romantic look, honeysuckle for its sweet smell or trumpet vine if you have a sunny spot
- Herbs like thyme, oregano, chives and rosemary – all fairly easy to look after
- Vegetables such as peas and cucumbers, which can grow together on a trellis (although plant the peas first)
Hanging baskets
- Trailing plants like nasturtiums, ivy and strawberries
- Fuchsias for vibrant colours and trailing blossoms
- Petunias to enjoy intense colours throughout the summer
Plants that like shade
Do surrounding buildings cast shadows on your garden for much of the day? Don’t worry. Plenty of plants will tolerate or even flourish in these darker spaces. First things first, work out the type of shade in your garden. Is it damp or dry? And how dark is dark? Seek out plants that will suit your particular conditions.
Some inspiration:
- Ferns are known to love a shady corner and can thrive in both dry and damp places. Their seas of texture and soft, arching fronds give your garden a lush feel. What you might not know is that they come in a variety of colours, from deep green and mauve to red-tinged, which contrast nicely with other plants.
- Begonia is often chosen for beds, borders, pots and hanging baskets in full or partial shade. Coming in neon-like yellow, red, pink and orange, they can brighten your darker corners from summer to autumn.
- Primrose is another hardy plant that gives you pops of colour. Their tendency to remain compact as they grow means they enjoy life in containers and hanging baskets – just take care not to overwater them.
Trees that look good year-round
Many trees will dazzle for a season before losing their bloom. Find ones that give you visual impact for much of the year. For example:
- Crab apples are loved for their frothy springtime blossom, dangling summer fruits, and autumn leaves that turn a vibrant orange or red before decorating the ground. The Golden Hornet variety, in particular, wins over gardeners with its picture-perfect shape.
- Amelanchier lamarckii are showstoppers throughout the year: from buds in the spring and coppery leaves and blossom in April, to shimmering reds in autumn. Blackbirds and urban gardeners alike favour these elegant trees.
A few tips for balconies
Balconies can form their own little edens, whether drenched in flowers or artfully decorated with choice herbs and a sun-lounger. Here are some tips:
- Consider the weight of your plants and pots. Terracotta filled with compost can be surprisingly heavy, so make sure you don’t overload your balcony. If in doubt, go for resin or plastic containers rather than concrete or terracotta. And find compost that’s designed to be lightweight.
- Look at whether you need shelter. If your balcony is exposed to wind and rain, you might need to protect your plants with some windbreaks. For example, a deck fence screen gives you a simple but sturdy barrier. Alternatively, choose plants that grow in blustery coastal areas, like lavender, rosemary and sea holly.
- Add some herbs for aromatic pickings. You’ll have fresh ingredients for your cooking as well as attractive greenery. Mint and lemon balm need their own pots, while you can grow most others together.
A final thought
However small or shaded, urban gardens can bring pockets of pleasure to your days. Keep in mind the above advice, but most of all, go for what makes you smile.
