I live in a raised ground-floor flat, with views over the park at the front (or ‘my estate’ as I like to call it) and big windows looking out onto the shared garden at the back. The access to the garden is permitted by a metal staircase that I like to sit on, just like they do in the New-York movies...
An estate agent would describe the small landing area on top of these stairs as a 'charming balcony'. In London terms, it could even qualify as a 'petite terrace'.
In reality, it's nothing more than a small landing area.
So before getting carried away in the daunting garden downstairs, I'm growing small green fingers practicing on pots and troughs for this particular area.
Small outdoors spaces are common in suburbia and city dwellers are always on the lookout for space-saving –yet original– solutions when it comes to gardening in such conditions.
So I was rather chuffed when I got my hands on a big pot that sits on balcony railings like a saddle and looks great with any kind of cascading plant in.
The pot is made out of 2 compartments that sit on either side of the railing and comes with 2 small plastic tabs to help secure it underneath. And with a choice of white, grey or taupe, one can pick the best match for their space.
A bag of Miracle Gro and 12 little plants of trailing lobelia was just what it was crying out for. I'm now patiently watching the tiny blue flowers bloom, with a new one appearing every morning.
The ultimate aim is for the lobelia to grow healthy and start falling down on either side of the railing... so no pressure. Watch this space.
The pot didn't go unnoticed in the neighbourhood: I suddenly felt I was part of the ‘circle of trust’ when the lady next door gave me a knowing nod during the course of a matinal watering session last week.
In these tough antisocial times, a chic balcony pot may be all we need to start acknowledging each other again.
I wonder if the more rustic wooden barrel I just purchased for the lavender will trigger a similar reaction... maybe a brief exchange... or even better, a whole conversation!
Pic 1: week 1
Pic 2: week 2
Pic 3: week 3
Congratulations! It's sooooo exciting to plant something and actually see it produce a flower. I planted some clematis that claimed to have beautiful blue bell-like flowers a while back and today, lo and behold! Beautiful blue bell-like flowers! I guess I shouldn't be so surprised, but still. :)
Posted by: Sarah @ Natural History | 07/12/2011 at 10:35 PM
Look at this rather timely post from The Inspired Room about tiny gardens too -
http://theinspiredroom.net/2011/07/13/small-space-flower-garden-diy-pallet/
Posted by: Sarah @ Natural History | 07/13/2011 at 02:14 PM
Well spotted. this is brilliant, wish I'd come up with the pallet idea myself!x
Posted by: Gaelle | 07/13/2011 at 08:24 PM
Oooh, they look lovely :-) Keep us updated with pics!
Posted by: Laura Blanksby | 07/14/2011 at 02:18 PM