Balcony Ideas
Best plants to create a screen. “Everyone I know thinks bamboo is great for screening, and it is,” Lyne says. “However, be aware that it will shed leaves every day of the year — it’s a messy plant! “You can get plants grown on a thin frame or screen,” she says, “such as ceanothus, which is evergreen with beautiful bright blue flowers in April-May, honeysuckle for scent, or clematis. “If space permits,” she continues, “you can plant in tiers, with taller plants at the back graduating to smaller ones. A good mix of different pot textures and colors adds to the design.”
Palo Verde (Parkinsonia spp.) A perfect tree for a container in a desert or low-water garden, palo verde forms a canopy of fine branches and tiny leaves to cast dappled shade over a patio. From April to June, depending on variety, the branches are covered in clusters of small yellow flowers that attract pollinators. Plant in a quick-draining cactus and succulent mix, and avoid overwatering these desert natives. Some palo verde species have spiny branches; if you choose one of these, be sure to place the pot away from foot traffic. Where it will grow: Hardy to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 3.9 degrees Celsius (zones 9 to 10) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: Varies by species, from 15 to 30 feet tall and wide; easily kept smaller in a container with pruning
Go all-out with containers. Potted plants are a renter’s best friend when it comes to increasing growing space on patios, rooftops or terraces. Plus, growing in containers allows for a flexible design, simple seasonal planting changes and easy transport if you move. Turn a stark urban entrance into a lush patio garden with layers of different-size containers planted to the brim with colorful foliage and swaying grasses.
Dining rooms are usually one of the least-used rooms in a house, so if your new space has one, it’s the perfect candidate for double-duty use. Dining tables serve very well as large desks, wrapping stations, laundry folding areas, extra counter space and all-purpose work surfaces. In this case the bookcase against the wall holds all kinds of goodies, both necessary and decorative.
lantern proportions grounds space
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