15.02.2023
Intelligent irrigation solutions deliver the right amount of water to every type of plant, at the right time, in every soil. Sensors measure the soil’s moisture. This means that water is only applied when the plants really need it. If the soil is moist enough, the upcoming watering is suspended, thus saving water.
To make it bloom richly in the dream garden, plant selection is based on factors such as soil conditions, location, amount of rainfall and the number of hours of sunlight that the plants receive. On a shady north-facing balcony, plant that are sun-worshippers will weaken. The same is true if ferns, ivy or funkias are to grow in a south-facing bed. In concrete terms, this means that plant selection depends on how much sunlight the balcony or garden receives and its climatic region.
The structure of the soil – loamy or more sandy – and its pH are also decisive factors. In addition, there is water. While bamboo has a high moisture requirement, evening primrose and oxeye like it rather dry. It is therefore important to combine plants with similar water requirements and to irrigate according to the requirements in a resource-saving way.
Perennials and shrubs for the pot garden
Balconies and terraces are the classic pot gardens. If the balcony is shaded during the day by houses or tall trees with dense crowns, it is a semi-shaded location. How about a colorful design of perennial, hardy flowering perennials? Perennials have the advantage of sprouting anew every year. Plants such as red-leaved purple bellflower, tufted bellflower, watering heart, ornamental grasses such as the Japanese grass "Aureola" with its yellow-green striped culms or the white-edged Japanese sedge are suitable here. Some roses are also suitable for container cultivation. Among the shrubs, the red-barked dogwood with its squeaky red branches provides a wow effect.
Wild plants for insects
Urban natural gardeners swear by native wild plants. In sites with lots of sun, Carthusian carnation, cypress spurge, dyer's chamomile, spiked speedwell, wild marjoram, dark mullein and creeping gypsophila might be favorites. They can be grown well in pots. To get something blooming early in the year, wildlife and gardening enthusiasts plant plenty of flower bulbs in the fall. Crocuses, snowdrops and grape hyacinths are important pollen tank stations for the first bees flying around.
Diverse green roofs
When planting on the roof, it is first of all necessary to clarify whether the area can bear the additional weight of the plants at all. Depending on how high the special roof garden soil can be piled up, i.e., what mass the roof to be greened can support, rock garden plants such as wall pepper and houseleek, stonecrop, dwarf cinquefoil, herbs, ornamental grasses and even irises will find a home. The more diverse the composition, the greater the benefit for insects.
Small trees for small gardens
Almost a 5-star hotel for plants are backyards or front gardens. Deep soil is usually available, but narrowly standing buildings often provide shade and limit the plants' ability to spread. But that's no reason to forgo small trees, as they create space and atmosphere. Low varieties with light, conical or spherical crowns or those with slender, columnar growth are ideal here, for example the globe maple, the columnar flowering ash or special ornamental cherry varieties. Ironwood or amber trees also have no problem if things get too crowded. The ironwood tree in particular, Parrotia persica in Latin, is considered resistant to urban climates. When it turns a dramatic orange-red in the fall, the wow effect is certain. When planting all trees and shrubs, the rule is: if they are in a container, the plant goes so deep in the pit that the upper surface of the root ball is the same height as the surrounding soil surface.
Further information on efficient water use can be found in the Gardena eBook "Clever watering" and at www.gardena.com/cleverwatering. More ideas for natural gardening can be found in the Gardena eBook "Sustainable gardening. Tips and inspiration for colorful garden ecosystem".
Additional material about the relevance of green spaces can also be found in the press release "Cheers to the green" as well as in the corresponding info sheets with creative DIYs, for example a step-by-step guide for the perfect green oasis on the balcony.
About Gardena
For over 50 years Gardena has provided everything passionate gardeners need. The broad assortment of products offers innovative solutions and systems for watering, lawn care, tree and shrub care and soil cultivation. Today, Gardena is a leading European supplier of high-quality gardening tools and distributed in more than 100 countries worldwide. Gardena is a brand of Husqvarna Group. Gardena Division has 3,450 employees worldwide. Further information on gardena.com.