Hello GPO-ders!
I don’t know about you, but what I love most about today’s Garden Photo is the variety of gardens we get to enjoy each week. Yesterday, we learned about a couple who transformed three acres into a 21-acre arboretum and botanical garden (if you missed our great post on growing pawpaw trees, check it out here). Today, we head a little further north to Ontario to see how Katherine D. Emerson grows a beautiful collection of plants despite the space on her small balcony.
I live in an urban village called Port Credit in Mississauga (the first city west of Toronto) on the shores of Lake Ontario.
My balcony faces south, which has its pros and cons. One of the cons is that summers here in Southern Ontario have been hotter and more humid lately with hours of sun and glare. This is unbearable for some plants and for people like me who don’t like the heat. Last year, all my green and yellow beans died and most of my marigolds died too. This year, the only vegetable I’m growing is Swiss chard. One benefit of facing south is that once the sun leaves my side of the building (early to mid-afternoon), it’s nice to sit outside in the warm shade in the late afternoon and evening.
I chose bright, vibrant colours for the containers, table and chair cushions to harmonise the space. You can see the row of pinwheels (also known as pinwheels, whirly gigs and windmills) on the balcony railing. This is without a doubt the best pigeon repellent. It’s cheap, thoughtful, humane and beautiful 🙂
Unfortunately, only one to three morning glories bloom per day, but they are certainly beautiful.
Despite the challenging conditions and even more challenging space limitations, Katherine has managed to bring a reliable splash of colour with some wonderfully colourful containers, stories and decorations. Several strategically placed ‘carousels’ protect her sanctuary from pigeons and add an extra touch of whimsy.
Balcony gardening can be a challenge as there is no room for plants, but let’s not forget that storage space is also limited. Katherine has to limit her outdoor decorations and gardening equipment to a tote bag that she keeps on her balcony, next to which are colorful geraniums, marigolds, nasturtiums, dianthus, lobelias and morning glories.
Catherine’s nasturtiums are just beginning to flower, while the dianthus appear to be covered in buds.
One of Catherine’s stunning morning glories shows off an incredible gradient effect in the light.
Adding a little personality can make a seating area more than just practical: vibrant cushions and a bright green table setting bring unity to Catherine’s colorful space.
Peruse Katherine’s colorful collection of potted plants and you’ll find not only hostas and Swiss chard, but also marigolds, nasturtiums, geraniums and lobelia.
And on a small table sits a bright pot of polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya cv., zones 10-11 or annual), adding a little touch of pink happiness.
Oh, these plants and colors are truly a strong contender! While most people might opt for the stunning views of Lake Ontario and the Credit River, Katherine knew that a flower pot full of beautiful calibrachoa would be a sensational accent.
Hiding in a corner amongst the flowers is a beautiful hen and chicks – this appears to be Sempervivum ‘Viking’ (zones 5 to 10) or something similar.
Meanwhile, a perfect variety for the upcoming spooky season, spiderweb hen and chicks (Sempervivum arachnoideum ‘Cobweb’, Zones 5 to 8), provides a very interesting contrast to the bright, sun-kissed calibrachoa that surrounds it.
Thank you so much, Catherine, for sharing your small but amazing garden with us! It’s always so inspiring and encouraging to see what people can achieve and create in small spaces.
If you’re gardening in a small space, I’d love to see what plants you can grow. Follow the instructions below to post your garden or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.
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