How to create a balcony garden

Terrariums are fun, but wouldn't you rather have this at home? [image via Garden Life]

Terrariums are all very well, but there’s no substitute for chilling in the great outdoors and letting nature do its thing.

If you’re an apartment dweller, lazing in the sun on your balcony (ideally surrounded by leafy tropical foliage) can recharge your senses and energise you. Here’s how to create a restorative oasis, no matter how petite the proportions of your outdoor space.

Fitting it out

Ikea's Askholmen range.

Amanda Grant, outdoor sales leader at Ikea, recommends thinking about how you use your balcony before choosing furniture. "Do you tend to dine or relax in your balcony?" she asks. "This will determine whether to go for low seating or a more traditional dining setting.”

Your balcony may not look large enough to accommodate a dining table and chairs, but there are clever designs out there that allow you to enjoy your croissant and coffee alfresco despite your space’s dimensions. Check out Ikea’s ‘Askholmen’ range (pictured), which includes a semi-circular table that can be mounted to a wall or balcony rail.

For a party vibe, try the Fermob ‘French Bistro’ furniture range (pictured), available atThe Urban Balcony. The tables and chairs fold for easy storage, and are available in 19 fun colours, from Liquorice to Lemon.

Fermob French Bistro range.

If tranquility is the aim of the game, choose a couple of easy chairs rather than a dining setting. Try The Family Love Tree’s retro-inspired zig-zag outdoor chair or inject a bit of Mexican magic with iconic 1950s design, theAcapulco chair.

Styling it up

 “As with interiors, it’s important to express your personality when creating a balcony garden,” says Joanna Rogers from inner-city garden experts The Urban Balcony. “The 'buy what you love' advice applies to your exterior space as much as it does to your interior, however you do need to consider the elements. 'Do I love it?' should be your first consideration, followed very closely by 'Will it tolerate the conditions on my balcony?' My other tip would be to keep the larger elements, such as furniture, in a classic style. Then use smaller elements, such as plants potted in unusual objects or plants with brightly coloured foliage or flowers, to add touches of your personality.”

Basil Bangs range of cushions.

Outdoor cushions add a whole lot of style for little effort – try the kaleidoscopic Basil Bangsrange (pictured). 

Amp up the atmosphere with outdoor lighting, suggests Amanda Grant from Ikea. “Solar powered LEDs either in chains or freestanding or lanterns with tealights are an easy way to create a festive or relaxed mood.”

“To make a bold statement, use one large statement pot rather than lots of small things,” advises garden designer Richard Unsworth ofGarden Life (also the title of his upcoming book).

Add flair with a statement pot. [image via Lisa Sorgini]

Add flair with finishing touches – try a statement pot (such as those by Pop and Scott, pictured), a stylish outdoor rug (check out the range at Eco Chic), or a hammock for dreaming away the afternoon (find one at The Hammock Co).

Perfecting your plantings

For foodies

Hanging planters from Angus and Celeste.

If you’ve tried to grow herbs before and failed, never fear, says plant-lover, landscape designer and founder of online magazine The Planthunter, Georgina Reid (who admits that she has killed basil in the past).

“It’s important to be more open to death in gardening,” she says with a smile. “You have to kill things to learn – it’s part of the process. Don’t give up.” Georgina advises you don’t even have to visit the nursery to get growing. You can plant shallots bought at the supermarket (cut them off above the white part and replant in soil), or cut up organic sweet potatoes, leave in water and then plant to create a vine.

Georgina’s top 3 tips for easy edibles

1. Thyme, rosemary and oregano are tough and love full sun.
2. A passionfruit vine is ideal on a balcony – along a balustrade or up a trellis on a wall, and it can also work for screening.
3. Parsley and lettuce are great if your balcony enjoys part sun/part shade.

Style up succulents with concrete planters from Pop Plants.

For instant zen

If ‘outdoor oasis’ is the aim of the game, opt for a mix of tropical plants that will provide shade, leafiness and tranquility. Try palms, bromeliads, orchids and heliconias.

“Group and layer plants with different foliage forms together to create an interesting composition,” suggests Richard. Hanging planters are also great for a calming vibe – tryAngus and Celeste’s beautiful range (pictured).

For screening out neighbours

“Bamboo is a great choice,” says Joanna. “Or for a more traditional planting scheme, lilly pillies work really well. If you are creating a sculptural modern balcony then multi cane yuccas are the go to plant for screening.” 

For the absent-minded

“Succulents are the obvious choice for the forgetful,” says Joanna. “From yuccas and Dracaena Draco to the rounder, more traditional shaped leaf of the Jade, the floral look of an Echeveria or a soft trailing sedum, succulents are all relatively low maintenance and will tolerate dry periods.”

Style up succulents with concrete planters from Pop Plant (pictured).