We were lucky to catch up with Isabelle Palmer, AKA The Balcony Gardener and author of Modern Container Gardening, to get her insight into how to create a beautiful and useful outdoor space, regardless of the size.
From window box to outdoor room Isabelle shares tips on plant combinations, styling, watering and keeping pests at bay.
Watch the full video just below or read on for our pick of her valuable advice…
Isabelle’s top three tips
“Watering is the key to success with container planting. In the summer months, even in a north facing garden I would water daily to keep the soil moist”
“Use the biggest containers you can, this reduces the frequency with which you have to water, plus it creates a great impact and is more aesthetically pleasing compared to having lots of little pots”
“I like to make the outdoor space an extension of the indoor room by using the same colour schemes and sympathetic materials. Containers can be painted in the same colour as the indoor room to keep that cohesion”
How to create an attractive window box
It is important to think about year-round interest; mixing evergreen plants with seasonal flowers means you will have an attractive display throughout the year, without having to change out all the plants.
Skimmia are a great evergreen option, interspersed with Cosmos, mini Dahlias or Snap dragons for colourful blooms.
Add trailing elements such as Fleabane (Erigeron) which is a daisy-like trailing plant or Muehlenbeckia for evergreen trailing foliage.
Create differing heights alongside the trailing elements to create a natural style, almost mimicking the forms of a full size garden in miniature.
Window box planted with (top left to right) Achillea, Foxglove, Salvia, (bottom left to right) Salvia, Echinacea and Rosemary
Easy-care plants for containers
Isabelle’s go-to plants that are easy to care for in containers; Skimmia, Heuchera, Hydrangea (with a little bit more watering will flower for a nice long time), Cosmos, Snap Dragons, Pansies and Violas for long lasting bloom time. Lavender, rosemary and sage are great options for adding scent into your containers too.
Suggested retailers: these plants are commonly stocked by your local garden centre.
Container plants for shady areas
You can create really beautiful leafy displays even in a shadier area by using Ferns, Heuchera, Ivy, Hostas. Geraniums do well in both shady and sunnier spots.
Suggested retailers: Linda is a Hackney based plant emporium specialising in plants for shade.
Container plants for sunny spots
Succulents make a great impact with their variety of forms and styles. They will need to be protected over winter by bringing them inside, but in the warmer months they will work really nicely in a sunny outdoor spot.
Suggested retailers: take a look at Peng Succulents and Succulent Garden, both are UK based succulent growers.
How to control pests in containers
Slugs, squirrels and pigeons are common pests, all of which can be deterred by adding a layer of pebbles to the top of your containers. This also provides an attractive look and can help to keep valuable water from evaporating.
Slugs can also be deterred by introducing a slug nematode which is a completely natural and biological method of controlling slugs.
Squirrels and pigeons can also be put off by using spiky leaved plants such as Pyracantha.
Watering and feeding tips for containers
Watering is key. A lack of water is the most common reason why people struggle to keep their container plants thriving. In the summer months even with a north facing garden, watering every day may well be required.
Most composts will have enough nutrients to feed container plants for six months or so. A great way to boost nutrients after this period is to replace just the top layer of compost with new compost, on a yearly basis. This will reinvigorate the plants. You can do this in addition to regular feeding in the summer months.
Styling tips
Firstly, have a think about what you want to get out of your outside space; somewhere to sit, eat, sunbathe? Isabelle likes to create cohesion between the indoors and out by using the same colour schemes and sympathetic furnishings; rugs, cushions, lighting really bring the indoors out. Create a lush oasis by adding height with trees or hanging plants if floor space is limited.
Outdoor room styling. Image by Nassima Rothacker
For more insights…
Modern Container Gardening is a truly inspirational and practical guide packed with projects and ideas, suitable for any level of gardening experience. It’s the book that Isabelle wished she had when starting out, but also a truly beautiful source of inspiration for more seasoned gardeners.
Available to purchase now from independent book stores as well as Waterstones and Amazon.
Modern Container Gardening book by Isabelle Palmer