SMALL-SPACE GARDENING Great ideas and advice

Bring your containers to life with seasonal ideas from our columnist Isabelle Palmer, The Balcony Gardener

PL ANT OF THE MONTH Lemon verbena

ith a spear-shaped leaf,

WAloysia citrodora is a delicious and lemony herb with a hint of ginger, and can be planted directly outdoors from April after the last frost. Start with a purchased plant or a cutting and plant in a 30cm pot. Grow it in full sun or partial afternoon shade, making sure to water well throughout the summer plant from becoming ‘leggy’; it grows better with regular pruning and remains a compact shape in the its size in the autumn. Keep the pot in a sheltered place in winter; some protection may be needed as it is a tender plant, so doesn’t deal well with freezing temperatures.

CAN SMALL GARDENS BE LUXE? YES. HERE’S HOW…

Want to add some glamour to your garden for the summer? No matter how small your space, it couldn ’t be easier.

If a cultivated, formal container style is your thing, choose simple topiary and classic container flowers. The form and shape will be neat and easy to maintain, giving a streamlined, luxe look. Keep any evergreen structural plants on their own in single pots. Mix and match other plants for a long-lasting spring/summer pot display.

Restrict the colour scheme – just two or three complementary shades – to up the style stakes. White, purple, pink and blue all stand out and work well together. I started my container garden collection with these plants which, while not perhaps the most adventurous, still pack a punch: laurel, lavender, rosemary, yew, ilex, Mexican orange blossom, geraniums and hydrangeas.

When composing container displays, think about ‘thriller, filler and spiller ’ – choose a focal plant and complement it with upright plants at the back, plus some that fill in the middle and others that will trail over the sides.

Decorate one wall with dark green tiles or paint the bottom half of a fence in dark green or grey – it will help plants to really stand out and change the reflective light. Add plenty of uplighters to complete the glamorous look.

Turn the page for Isabelle’s pick of the best topiary and container plants. Follow her on Instagram @thebalconygardener

Eco-friendly paint range of beautiful but tough colours perfect for the great outdoors. Use on wood, metal and masonry.

Pelargonium ‘Don Mila’

ISABELLE’S PL ANT LIST What to grow this month

TOPIARY

Buxus sempervirens (common box) Ilex crenata (Japanese holly) Prunus lusitanica (Portuguese laurel) Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’ (dwarf Korean lilac tree ) Taxus baccata (yew)

EVERGREENS

Choisya ternata ‘White Dazzler’ (Mexican orange blossom) Skimmia Hebe ‘Starlight’ Hebe ‘Blue Gem’ Hebe pinguifolia ‘Sutherlandii’ Osmanthus x burkwoodii (bottom)

FLOWERS

Geranium psilostemon ‘Catherine Deneuve’ Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Black Steel Zambia’ Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Little Purple’ Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Little White’ Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Spooky’ Lavandula angustifolia ‘Arctic Snow’ Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ Lavandula angustifolia ‘Rosea’ Paeonia ‘Border Charm’ Paeonia ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ ‘Gay Paree’ Pelargonium ‘Appleblossom Rosebud’ Pelargonium ‘Attar of Roses’ Pelargonium ‘Don Mila’ (top) Pelargonium ‘Eco Merle Purple’

Osmanthus x burkwoodii

Q&A Sun and shade – what’ s the difference and does it really matter?

The short answer is yes, it does matter. You will need to establish the aspect of your outdoor space, in other words whether it faces north, south, east or west. This will affect whether it gets lots of sun or is in shade for some or all of the day. This is crucial because sun-loving plants will fail to thrive in a shady area, while shade-lovers will struggle in sunny spots.

How to...

GET THE BEST OUT OF YOUR CONTAINERS

As summer emerges, there are a few points worth considering to ensure your outdoor space is a success…

Drainage holes in pots – without them, it’s almost certain your plants will get waterlogged roots and die. Watering levels are an important factor in their health. In warmer months, keep the soil moist; daily watering of pots is advised.

Deadheading – do regularly to stimulate

Feeding – in the growing period a monthly

ISABELLE’S PICKS TO ADD GLAM TO YOUR GARDEN

Nola geometric outdoor rug, from £19.99, Homescapes Rattan Natural Florentine Peacock chair, £469, Beliani

Thin and thick stripe , from £9.99 each, Homescapes