Even on a small terrace or balcony you can create a woodland oasis. The right potted plants will help you create a relaxing place. Which mini-trees should you choose? We give you a hint!
Not everyone can enjoy a large garden or access to a nearby forest. But even in an urban area, on a terrace or balcony, you can successfully arrange a flowering place for relaxation. And contrary to what you might think, you can grow not only flowers and ornamental plants in pots but also miniature versions of trees to create a small orchard.
When choosing plants for your balcony or patio, remember that small and compact trees are best suited to pots. You should opt for frost- and drought-resistant species. Not all types of trees are suitable for balconies because of the limited development of the root system in the pots. So which miniature varieties are particularly recommended for growing in containers on terraces?
On balconies and terraces, stem cut, columnar, narrow or dwarf trees work well. Miniature versions of fruit trees can also be planted in pots. These must be hardy species which can cope with unfavourable conditions. In addition, you should opt for trees that grow slowly and do not reach a high size – their height should not exceed three metres.
Among the trees that are suitable for growing in pots, there are:
The trees with a ball-shaped habit, which can be grown in pots include, among others: Nanum field maple, Anna Maria juniper, Edward Gursztyn tulip tree, Umbraculifera acacia and Hakuro-nishiki willow.
You can also grow cone- and column-shaped trees in pots, such as Conica spruce, Fastigiata mountain ash, Compressa juniper, Wojtek yew or Smaragd western iris.
Species with a weeping habit will also do well on balconies and terraces, including Youngii box birch, Pendula white mulberry, Repens European larch and Walker Siberian caragana.
As potted plants don’t have as much space as those in the garden, it’s important to provide them with the best possible growing conditions. The first step is to choose the right pot. They need to be at least 50 cm high. They should be made of durable materials resistant to weather. It’s worth opting for models made of plastic because they are not heavy, but the choice is huge and should be adapted to the limitations of the balcony
It is important that the pot has good drainage to allow excess water to run off and a layer of insulation so that the roots of the plant are protected from frost and heat. You can also do the insulation yourself, for example with Styrofoam. An interesting and convenient solution are pots with an irrigation system, which will facilitate the care of trees.
Main photo: Bruno Martins/unsplash.com
