Alternatively, some balconies can be prone to prolonged shade and in these cases, Isabelle recommends the likes of: From that, I progress to the types of plants that will fit in the aspect the space faces, such as if it’s sunny or shaded.” Do You Have Any Golden Rules For Designing Gardens?

I wouldn’t have ever thought about doing gardening when I was younger, but I think it’s a cooler career to go into now as there is a younger generation involved. Don’t place your plants under a canopy, let them access rain when it does fall. Use the element of rainfall to help you.” What Are Some Of Your Career Highlights? What could be better than creating a wonderful small garden in just a day?” What Is Your Process For Designing?Add lots of pebbles and bamboo to give an idyllic touch to your balcony garden—a great idea for a shady space. 49. Finest Balcony Decor popsugar Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director, Dobbies Garden Centres recommends Hardy ferns for shadier gardens. Saying, 'Perfect for shady gardens, lush leafy ferns paired with Camellias will create an oriental garden feel for your very own space of calm and zen. Choose Painted Ferns for a more colourful variety, these have a grey tinge that looks painted with flashes of silver and purple.' They thrive in moist soil so make sure you are watering regularly, and ensure your pots have suitable drainage. How do I arrange my balcony garden? Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. compost and plants weigh a considerable amount, as do people using the garden. There will be strict weight restrictions on balconies suspended out from the building

Plastic and fiberglass plant containers are ideal for balcony gardens because they’re lighter in weight than terracotta or ceramic pots and come in a vast array of styles and sizes. However, on windy balconies, they can be blown over easily unless they’re secured in place. Butterflies and bees are really strongly attracted to purple plants - and yellows and reds but they’re colours where you either love them or hate them terms of planting scheme so I’d always go purple. You've got things like verbena, salvia, lavender, ecinachea - they've got that wild flower look going on so I think that's the kind of road you need to go down,” Isabelle said. Especially in today’s hectic world, as I enter into the garden, it all goes away.” What’s Next For You?

24. Tropical Privacy

Looking for the best Balcony Garden Ideas? A hanging herb garden like this can allow you to grow your favourite culinary herbs and create an apartment herb garden balcony. 17. String Lights in a Balcony Drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly planting and seasonal favourites like berries, seed-heads and dahlias are on display throughout the five balcony gardens. There's also lush evergreens interspersed with rainbow colours, along with herbs, chillies, fruit trees and other edibles. Isabelle also feels it’s key to recognise the features of the indoor space that the balcony leads off from, and how to link the two areas. I love being my own boss, it has so many positives in allowing you to reach for opportunities and give you the sense of freedom. Also, you can adapt so much more readily to changing times and focuses. Photo: Ali Allen

Balconies tend to deal with extremes, so if it's sunny it will be bakingly sunny; if it's shady, it will be absolutely sunless, especially in winter.

38. Stepping Stones

Snake plants are known for their air-purifying abilities, and their striking green foliage gives an elegant look to your balcony. Besides, they are effortless to maintain. Learn Tips to Start a Balcony Flower Garden here 60. Patio With Wooden Flooring and Plants

If a balcony like this is not a place for some cozy family time, then what is? Add some funky furniture and greens to your balcony, and you are good to go. Look at some amazing small balcony garden ideas from the Chelsea Flower show here 32. Succulent Balcony Garden balconygardenweb This simple yet functional balcony garden is the easiest way to convert your balcony into a cozy little green space. Watch the video for more details. 71. Wooden Plant Stands with White Planters I would always begin with an evergreen palette so you can maintain your garden all year round – choose things like gymeas and yuccas, ivy, and waxy leaf plants, because they are more durable in terms of gardening,' says Isabelle. 'Ferns are great, especially if you have a shadier area.’ I spoke to Isabelle about her career and her ambitions for the future. Images in this article have been provided with permission from Hardie Grant publishing. How Did You First Get Into Gardening? With a balcony, every corner is on show so there's no room for a pot or container that isn't performing. Even if you can't do a clean sweep every few months, at the least always have seasonal performers at the front or on the table to catch the eye. Use winter bedding, spring bulbs, or even just a bunch of flowers to brighten up the space with plants that are looking their best.You really want to go with lighter colours. You want the lightest plants and furniture at the furthest viewpoints so that you elongate the space. Lighter colours at the end are going to draw the eye out and your space is going to be a bit bigger,” explained Isabelle. Designate how you want to use the space. Is it somewhere that you want to sit and relax? Is it a space that’s quite difficult because either there’s no sun or it’s very exposed?. You can start zoning and deciding how you can use the space effectively.” Collect some drought-resistant plants for your balcony garden as they can survive in bright and direct sunlight, plus it’ll save you the need for watering them every day. 68. Balcony Wooden Wall Planters from Pallets