Urban escape: creating an outdoor space

Whether you have a small patio, balcony or courtyard, you can still create a beautiful green space for yourself, even if you don’t have a piece of land for planting. Get your foliage fix with these five urban gardening ideas.

1. Vertical gardens

If floor space is limited, why not consider planting vertically? Vertical gardens and apartment living go hand-in-hand, so if you’ve run out of floor-level space, vertical greenery and flowers are your best option.

Depending on how much space you have, vertical gardens can be designed using planter pots, wall creepers or specially designed wall panelling. Maintenance is a factor when growing herbs, spices and select flowering plants, so if time is an issue, consider low maintenance plants such as hostas, baby’s tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) and bromeliads.

2. Floating gardens

A floating apartment garden looks as whimsical as it sounds. A modern spin on the humble planter pot, floating planters now come in funky designs and materials such as ceramic pots, light bulbs and even coconut shells. Hang these adorable pots of greenery from the balcony ceiling or against the wall and voila – you have a garden.

3. Garden art

Garden art can brighten up a dull apartment courtyard or patio. Always check with your landlord before drilling holes in walls, painting or making other permanent changes. If you’re looking for temporary garden features, portable fountains, oversized urns and even mirrors can make your urban garden more appealing.

4. Water gardens

Even a noisy inner-city garden can be made to feel like a Zen space with the help of a container water garden. A miniature version of a pond, a water garden consists of one large watertight pot that holds multiple smaller planter pots submerged in water. Make sure you choose emergent plants (those that can tolerate flooded conditions) and pick a spot on the balcony that gets at least six hours of sun a day.

You can add fish to your water gardens, but the water and maintenance needs are different.

5. Outdoor comforts

Make spending time in your courtyard or balcony more appealing by adding comfortable seating. Space is always going to be an issue when furnishing an outdoor patio. Avoid making the area feel cramped with oversized chairs and a table; instead opt for discreet pieces such as bench seating, 2-seater tables or even a small bar table and stools.

With these fun and quirky ideas you can transform the neglected apartment patio into your very own slice of paradise.