Katherine’s Balcony Garden on Lake Ontario

Hi GPODers!

I’m not sure about all of you, but my favorite part of Garden Photo of the Day is the garden diversity we get to enjoy every week. Yesterday we learned about a couple who transformed 3 acres into a 21-acre arboretum and botanical garden (if you missed their incredible post on growing pawpaw trees, definitely check it out here). Today we’re heading a little further north to Ontario, and seeing how Katherine D Emerson doesn’t let her small balcony space stop her from growing a collection of gorgeous plants.

I live in the urban village of Port Credit, in the city of Mississauga (first city west of Toronto), on Lake Ontario.

My balcony faces south, which has its pros and cons. One of the cons is that, lately, our summers here in southern Ontario have been hotter and more humid than ever with hours upon hours of sun and glare. This can be overwhelming to some plants and to people like me who don’t care for the heat. Last year I lost all my green and yellow beans as well as most of my marigolds. This year the only vegetable I’m growing is Swiss chard. One of the pros of facing south is that, once the sun has left my side of the building (early to mid afternoon), it’s lovely to sit outside in the warm shade in the late afternoon and early evening.

I chose containers and tables in cheerful vibrant colours and chair cushions to coordinate and harmonize the space. You will notice whirligigs (aka pinwheels, whirlygigs, windmills) along the balcony rail. This is by-far the BEST-ever pigeon deterrent. They are cheap, compassionate/humane, and pretty 🙂

Unfortunately, only one to three morning glories flower each day, but they certainly are pretty.

With tricky conditions and even trickier space limitation, Katherine brought in some reliable color with her fantastically colorful containers, tales, and decor. A couple of her strategically-placed “whirligigs” offer more whimsy as they protect her slice of sanctuary from pigeons.

While balcony gardening is challenging for the lack of plant space, it shouldn’t be forgotten that storage space is equally as limited. Katherine needs to keep her outdoor decor and gardening supplies limited enough to fit into totes that also go on her balcony. Planted alongside are a rainbow of colorful geraniums, marigolds, nasturtiums, dianthus, lobelia, and morning glory.

Katherine’s nasturtium were just starting to flower, while dianthus looks to be covered in buds.

One of Katherine’s incredible morning glories showing off an incredible ombre effect in the light.

A seating area can be so much more than just practical with a little additional character. Vibrant cushions and bright green table setting keep Katherine’s colorful space cohesive.

A closer look at Katherine’s collection of colorful pots reveals more marigolds, nasturtiums, geraniums, and lobelia as well as hosta and Swiss chard.

And on the small table, a cheerful pot of polka dot plants (Hypoestes phyllostachya cv., Zones 10–11 or as an annual) adds a happy little pop of pink.

Boy, oh boy do those plants and all that color have some serious competition! While most people might rely on this stunning view of Lake Ontario and the Credit River, Katherine new that a planter pot overflowing with beautiful calibrachoa would be a sensational addition.

Tucked away in the corner of those abundant blooms are some gorgeous hens and chicks. This one looks to be the variety ‘Viking’ (Sempervivum ‘Viking’, Zones 5–10) or something similar.

On the other side, a variety so spectacularly suited for the upcoming spooky season, cobweb hens and chicks (Sempervivum arachnoideum ‘Cobweb’, Zones 5–8) is such an interesting contrast to bright, sun-shiny calibrachoa that surround.

Thank you so much for sharing your small, but so might garden with us Katherine! I always feel so inspired and encouraged to see what people can accomplish and create in a small space.

If you’re a small space gardener, I want to see what you’re able to grow! Follow the directions below to submit your garden, or send me a DM on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad.

 

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