With the onset of spring, many strive to touch nature. And for this everyone uses possible ways, someone goes to the dacha, someone plants flowers near their balcony, and someone grows flowers on their own balcony and creates an incredibly beautiful flower garden using vertical gardening.

Vertical gardening is the best way to grow flowers and other small plants because it saves space.

There are many ways to grow plants vertically. I will talk about some of them. At the same time, I will not dwell on the choice of plants, because everyone can choose those plants that are suitable for your climate and for your balcony. And besides, I already wrote about creating a garden for flowers or herbs on the balcony.

The most affordable ways to vertically garden a balcony

In bags with pockets

Plants can be placed on the balcony wall in special bags with pockets. Of course, it is problematic to get such bags in our country, but if you know how to sew a little. You can make such a bag with pockets yourself. For it, you need to pick up a dense material that can withstand a lot of weight and let air through, for example, from tarpaulin or canvas. You also need strong threads.

Pockets are sewn onto one cloth of fabric so that small pots for plants or special plastic bags can be put in them. Small strong loops are made from above for mounting on the wall.

This is the so-called "Carpet" method of planting, which involves the use of synthetic felt, in which the pockets are made. Plants are "populated" in them. But they do this only after the flower has taken root in an ordinary pot. Better to use young flowers - they are flexible root system breaks less, adapts more easily to new conditions and grows into felt more easily. This method is called hydroponics - an artificial environment without soil.

Of course, you can immediately pour soil into your pockets, but I think it will be inconvenient if you want to add something or change the plants.

A slide of pots

If you have enough space on the balcony, then you can create a slide from different pots. I have already described several ideas, here I will show a few more photos.

Another technology - modular - is based on a design similar to a cabinet with big amount open boxes. The earth is filled up in them, the plants first take root in it, then the module is raised, attached to the wall, the flowers eventually take the desired position themselves. Or holes are cut in the shelves into which flower pots are inserted. The disadvantage of such a system is its high weight.

And in addition a few useful ideas creating boxes for flowers with your own hands.

Here is such a bunk flower box you can make. On the upper tier there will be pots with plants, and below all the necessary materials.

And there are also such plant stands.

It's an amazing idea to use wheels for ease of movement.

The beauty of vertical gardening is that small space many different plants can be placed.

News from partners

Probably, there is not a single person who would not admire flowers. However, in apartments, not everyone imagines it possible to create a corner of nature. We will break stereotypes, because gardening a balcony is an exciting action.

Your unique balcony design with bright spots flowering plants will effectively stand out from the rest of the facades of monotonous houses.

Choosing plants for the balcony

The attractiveness of any landscaped balcony primarily depends on the right choice flowers and their skillful arrangement.

You need to take into account:

1. on which side is the balcony (sunny or shady);
2. glazed or open.

This is the main nuance, since each plant needs a certain climate.

Please note: Given the small size of the balcony, compact and short plants should be preferred. It is also desirable that the flowers are unpretentious and hardy.

Houseplants

In the spring, you can take out indoor plants to the balcony. Here they will be more comfortable: there is more light, the humidity is higher than in the apartment and the air temperature, as in nature, is lower at night and higher during the day. For most plants, these are acceptable growing conditions.

Feel great on balconies unpretentious plants, for example such:

• pelargonium (geranium);
• fuchsia;
• begonia;
• aloe;
• balsam;
• chlorophytum;
• amaryllis and others.

Geranium on the balcony grows and blooms beautifully. This is one of everyone's favorite ornamental indoor plants. It is unpretentious, hardy, has gorgeous bright flowers and a pleasant smell.

Please note: If your balcony is not glazed and is located on the south side, then these conditions do not quite correspond indoor plants.

Here the sun bakes during the day, a gusty wind can blow and rain fall - all this can ruin fragile indoor flowers.

Climbing plants

Landscaping balconies will not be fully completed if not planted climbing plants... They perfectly complement the overall picture with their wavy stems, wriggling up a window or wall.

This could be:

• asarina creeping;
• clematis;
• sweet peas;
• decorative beans;
• winged tunbergia, etc.

The question of how to hang a vine on the balcony should not arise, since they are usually planted in boxes, placed on the floor closer to the wall. Thus, shoots can be directed along the wall.

Tip: It is especially useful to plant climbing plants on the southern balconies.

With their help, you can create "green walls" that protect the space from dust and the sun.

This will significantly improve the microclimate, especially on the city balcony.

Ampel plants

Who does not know, ampelous are plants that are grown in hanging planters... They have cascading shoots and look wonderful on balconies, loggias, verandas, terraces.

Important: There are some requirements for containers for ampelous plants. They should be lightweight, securely fastened.

To prevent the water from draining onto the floor or onto someone's head, you need to select the appropriate tray for the pots.

Today the assortment of flowers is huge. You can choose plant varieties that can easily tolerate shade, lack of moisture, or are resistant to growing in the sun. This is a rather important point for, since the earth dries out quickly in suspended containers.

Ampel plants differ in their brightness, for example:

• ageratum;
• verbena;
• petunia;
• lobelia;
• bindweed;
• pelargonium;
• godetia;
• fortune, etc.

Spices

Spices are mostly medicinal herbs. The content of vitamins in them, mineral substances, fragrant and taste allow us to talk about the high benefits of these crops. They speed up metabolic processes, which leads to the rapid breakdown of fats.

The following spices take root well on the balcony:

• balsam;
• parsley;
• salad;
• thyme;
• sage;
• rosemary;
• marjoram;
• mint;
• dill, etc.

Note: Glazed balcony or a loggia greatly expands the choice of plants. Some species develop even better here than outdoors.

Vegetables on the balcony

Many vegetable crops can be successfully grown in balcony conditions... They will not only complement the green outfit of the balcony, but make it original and useful. After all, you see, it is very pleasant to go out onto the balcony and pick a vegetable you have grown personally on your own.

It has long been known that plants have a calming and relaxing effect, and they also saturate the room with pure oxygen. Energize in the morning and give you a good mood. Lucky for those who have a balcony. After all, you can organize a home garden on it and enjoy the beauty of plants even in winter period... But how can you do this? Let's take a closer look at how to do the gardening of the balcony with our own hands.

Types of landscaping balconies and loggias

To create a home garden, use different options planting plants. Wherein different ways plantings can be connected to each other, which will give a special originality to the home garden on the balcony.

One of the ways to decorate a balcony is horizontal landscaping. With such landscaping, the emphasis is on horizontal lines. To decorate your balcony in this way, you need to arrange pots with various plants and flowers. The pots can be installed on special shelves or racks with flower stands. An excellent option would be to install a plank along the entire length of the window. Further, vases or flower boxes are placed on the bar and plants are planted there.

Horizontal landscaping is suitable for large and wide balconies and loggias

Vertical gardening is also widely used. For this method, the wall is fully used. Plants with long-growing stems twisting among themselves are recommended. As with horizontal gardening, racks or stands are placed along the wall, and pots of flowers are placed directly there. Flowers such as liana, hoya, ivy and the like will look gorgeous. Flower pots can be easily replaced with a tall rack with existing planting spots, or you can install flower pots on specially installed shelves.

Vertical gardening balconies are usually preferred by owners of small balconies and narrow loggias.

Phytowalls are especially popular. It is relatively new and modern design premises. Fitostena is essentially a structure that provides for an automatic watering and lighting system. Flowers are planted in pots with peat, without adding soil. The result is a solid flower wall. Due to its compactness, autowatering system and beauty, phytowall is becoming very popular for decorating premises.

Fitowall on the balcony is a new trend in balconies and loggias landscaping.

Designers love to combine different ways landscaping. This is how they combine both horizontal and vertical landscaping. And the phytowall is combined with large shelves in the same compositions. This creates a harmonious space.

Some rules for landscaping balconies and loggias

The balcony is a place of relaxation, especially in summer, so you shouldn't clutter it up with all sorts of rubbish. A much more acceptable solution would be to decorate the balcony using greenery. Then it will be admired not only by you, but also by your guests, and even passers-by, if you live low.

However, there are certain rules on landscaping the balcony.

1. Climbing plants are ideal for a sunny balcony. If such plants create a shade for the window, then a cool place in summer heat You are guaranteed. It is best to choose plants that grow quickly and form a dense wall. These include annual vines, turkish beans, morning glory. Such plants need to be monitored: set their direction using a grid or any other support for growth. If a lot does not get on the balcony sunlight and warmth, climbing plants can be planted along the wall, and lush plants in flowerpots along the balcony.

Climbing plants are a must for a sunny balcony.

2. The balcony is not a replica of the garden. Not all garden flowers are suitable for decorating a balcony, such as gladioli and dahlias. Such flowers are simply cramped in the balcony conditions, because there is not enough land and power. As a result, they do not take root: they bloom poorly, stretch out and become not as attractive as they are used to seeing.

3. Indoor flowers are in any case suitable for landscaping a balcony. It is important to remember that in the summer heat, their roots must be protected from overheating, for which they should be transplanted into containers with soil and fertilizers. Such plants can be geraniums, aloe, cacti, agave and many others. Some of them tolerate heat well and take root well.

Option for arranging flowers on a balcony or loggia.

In the fall, you can plant tulip or daffodil bulbs in pots. Then, with the arrival of spring, they will transform the balcony into a magnificent flowering meadow.

4. Do not mix plants at random. It is best to use all your imagination and come up with interesting compositions in which the colors will be combined. A winning option would be several plants of the same color or similar shades. The contrast will also look very impressive. Plants of one species and several colors are another design option. The color of the plants should contrast with the color of the house so that nothing "merges". Do not plant more than four types of plants on one balcony.

5. Plants must have a place where their shoots will develop, so it is not worth planting them in one box. With a creative approach, you can even build multi-level plantings. Then the "hanging" plants are best placed on the upper levels. All standard containers for balcony plants are sold in specialized stores, their sizes should be selected based on the size of the flowers.

Modern manufacturers balcony boxes, planters and holders offer a rich assortment for every budget.

Balcony flowers and plants care

In what soil to plant balcony flowers? As a rule, balcony landscaping is carried out by planting annual flowering crops therefore the soil needs to be changed every year. In garden shopping centers specialized soil for container floriculture is commercially available, but if it is not possible to purchase such soil, then you can use a universal soil with the addition of river sand and composted peat.

Water the plants and flowers with settled water. Once every 15 days, plants should be fertilized and loosened. Do not pour, but do not dry either.

Specialized soil for balcony plants is saturated with useful microelements, so there is no need to feed the flowers during the first month after planting. In the future, every week it is necessary to apply complex fertilizers for flowering plants as foliar and root top dressing.

Experienced florists recommend carrying out preventive treatments balcony plants by washing the foliage with a weak soapy water or garlic infusion to prevent diseases caused by pathogenic insects and pests.

Every person wants his house to please the eye. Therefore, we all try to decorate our houses and apartments, not bypassing any room. The balcony is no exception: if it is beautifully arranged, it will cheer you up every summer day.

Get inspired by landscaping ideas for balconies and loggias.

If people do not have a private home, and they really want to have a paradise green corner, then it can be organized with great success in a city apartment, or rather, on a balcony. The design of the balcony must be approached as carefully and carefully as to the decoration of any other room in the apartment. In addition to correctly performed renovation works, important role correctly selected plants also play in landscaping. The fact is that balconies and loggias for each person are located on different sides, so the design should rely on that part of the side where the balcony is located, and it is also important to take into account its illumination, warmth and other factors.

Preparation for landscaping the balcony

The preliminary landscaping work is the execution of certain actions.

Work of preparation:

• Freeing the balcony;
• Repair work;
• Glazing (optional and optional);
• Strengthening the facade;
• Purchase of racks, shelves and containers;
• Purchase of land and fertilizers;
• Wall decoration;
• Creation of flooring.

After that, you can start the main work.

Landscaping of the floor with artificial grass on the balcony

Landscaping of the balcony can be done not only along the walls, but you can also make a beautiful green floor that will look harmonious in the created mini-garden. The standard balcony floor is concrete slab gray... Not only is this plate itself ugly, but also cold.

It turns out that every time, before stepping on such a floor, you have to put on slippers so that your feet are comfortable and warm.

Artificial turf, which looks very nice and pleasant to the touch, can help to cope with the cold ugly floor. You can definitely walk on such a floor barefoot, feeling warm and soft under your feet. It is important to note that today, artificial turf can be purchased without problems at a garden store.

Balcony landscaping (video)

How to properly lay an artificial turf on the balcony

Landscaping is a great way to create a cozy balcony. Artificial turf plays a very important role in this process.

In the absence of a private house with blooming garden and fragrant flower beds, you can equip a small floristic kingdom in your compact apartment, and perfect place for this - a balcony or loggia. Such an area of ​​the home will become a real source of energy and tranquility, which are so often lacking in a gray and gas-polluted urban space. In addition, landscaping a balcony is a great opportunity to realize yourself as a designer, florist and just a person with a creative approach to the process of arranging your home.

What plants to choose for landscaping a balcony?

So, if you have dreamed for a long time and finally decided to get a flower garden on your balcony or loggia, it is important to take into account all the details so that not only you, but also the plants that will fulfill their aesthetic purpose, are comfortable.

The optimal amount of sunlight is one of the main factors, therefore, future "pets" should be chosen in accordance with the illumination of the room. If the loggia faces the sunny side, the best option will become light-loving plants. Mid-flowered and small-flowered petunias are loyal to the heat, and will delight the eye with their bright colors if you ensure regular watering. Bush petunias can be planted in boxes and pots at a distance of 15-20 cm, as well as correctly calculating the volume of land per plant, which, depending on the variety, can be from 3 to 10 liters. For seedlings of petunias, soil based on peat and various baking powder is used, since it has sufficient friability and moisture permeability.

Landscaping of loggias exposed to intense sunlight can be done with drought-resistant nasturtium; it blooms from the end of May until the first frosty days. Purslane rejoices in the sun to such an extent that only with the appearance of its rays does it open its buds, this happens from mid-July until the end of September. In addition to the listed options, there are a great many plants that are ready to endure the exhausting summer heat, and also rain and wind just so that you can enjoy the splendor of their flowering, such unpretentious species include geraniums, snapdragons, begonia, Gaillardia and others.

If the loggia is shaded, and the sun appears very rarely, you should think about the device of artificial lighting, or make a choice in favor of shade-tolerant greenery. For a shady balcony, decorative ones are most often chosen perennial plants with a shallow root system, such as spiraea, hydrangea, coleus, cinquefoil, hosta. Typically, these plants prefer moist and well-drained soil. In a loggia devoid of solar lighting, it is quite possible to organize a real mini-jungle of vines, or the so-called green walls of honeysuckle, lemongrass, maiden grape and actinidia, all these climbing plants take root well in shady rooms. Despite the unpretentiousness of the listed species and their ability to live in the sun or in the shade, it is worth remembering that your pets need constant care and care, only then will they be able to delight you with lush, long flowering.

A glazed balcony, in contrast to an open one, allows year-round landscaping, while it is necessary to thoroughly seal the room, equip it with good ventilation and artificial lighting, if all these rules are observed, even a small winter garden can be organized on the balcony.

For an open balcony, bright ampelous plants are best suited, which will cover with their climbing stems outside balcony, this is especially true for fences with curly lattice... For outdoor terraces various annual flowers are popular, as well as tuberous and bulbous flowers, which in winter can be transferred, for example, to the pantry.

Choosing the design of the landscaping of the loggia

You have decided which representatives of the flora will live on your loggia, it remains to choose the form in which the tenants of the flower garden will exist, namely, in what design the balcony greenhouse will be embodied and what creative solutions can be applied for this.

There are two fundamental principles of plant placement in landscape gardening - horizontal and vertical, the combination of which, if properly combined, will also give an effective result. Horizontal landscaping is used in those design techniques when it is necessary to decorate horizontal surfaces such as railings and floors. This solution creates a feeling of comfort, coziness and rational order, adding neatness and style, it is suitable for medium-sized rooms. Horizontal placement is done using a long container fixed to the balcony railing, or several boxes placed close to each other, thereby bordering the balcony. Also, an effective option for the arrangement of flower arrangements will be a shelf or rack, on which plants are displayed in lines.

Vertical gardening of the balcony is a design vertical surfaces such as doors, windows, exterior and interior walls, in this case, climbing plants are perfect, which will cover the surface and create the so-called living screens. There are many options for vertical placement: installing shelves and racks with pots along the wall, hanging planters on windows or walls, attaching baskets and pots to the ceiling. A very original result will be obtained if flowerpots or narrow pots with planted vines are installed along the wall on the floor, directing the shoots up the wall with the help of supports or twine. For vertical decoration of the balcony, the curly tricolor morning glory is ideal, for the cultivation of which only a small area and a strong support are needed, this plant blooms all summer, starting in May.

Do-it-yourself balcony landscaping requires a competent approach to drawing up flower arrangement, which it is desirable to even sketch out in the form of a sketch for a more detailed understanding of the final goal. Here is very important point is the compatibility of plants, not only in terms of aesthetic indicators, but also in terms of care. Perhaps the flowers planted in a joint pots require a different watering regime, but they will receive it at the same time, so geranium and cactus cannot exist together, one of them will rot, and the other will dry out.

Summing up, it is worth noting that there are a whole lot of options for landscaping the balcony area, it all depends on fantasy, imagination and, of course, on minimum knowledge in the field of floriculture. After arranging flower plantations, it is important to take care of the plants, regularly monitor watering, the temperature of the atmosphere and the presence of light. A landscaped loggia, balcony or terrace will help organize your little picturesque piece of nature right in the apartment, giving your home individuality and creating an excellent mood not only for the owners, but also for people passing by.