Planting for smaller properties and flats may have fewer options, but, despite limited outdoor space, the addition of plants makes a real difference.
Planting for Smaller Properties
We’re thinking here of courtyard gardens, apartment balconies and other smaller space where, in all probability, there is limited, if any, opportunity to plant directly in the ground. You can see where this is going – troughs and containers…
A single, indiscriminately planted container will often be found in the corner of a small garden or balcony and look like what it is is – a token effort. But if a group of containers of different sizes, shapes and even sympathetically contrasting colours and/or materials is arranged, the space becomes part of what the viewer is considering buying –and paying for.
Planting for Smaller Properties – Shaded Areas
This post is based on the assumption that small properties tend to have small outdoor spaces and that the restricted size of these tends to make them prone to shade – thanks primarily to the shadows. The following hedging plants will thrive in either light (1) or partial (2) shade as well as full sun. They can also be planted in containers if there is no access to the ground:
- Hornbeam AGM (1)
- Privet (1)
- Common Box AGM (1-2)
- Escallonia Macrantha AGM (1-2)
- Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’AGM (1-2)
- Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald Gaiety’ AGM (1-2)
- Euonymus Green Spire
- Griselinia Littoralis (1-2)
- Cherry Laurel (1-2)
- Lonicera nitida (1-2)
- Yew (1-2)
NB: When planting in shade, the cause of the shade is an important factor as a man-made structure such as a wall or fence will generally have little impact on the natural water supply reaching the new plant(s) while nearby trees (especially if large and well-established) or other vegetation may well be taking every available drop for themselves.
View Our Recommended Hedges
