Planters for Christmas

Today, the Christmas decor is opening up to the outside world! Coming from Northern Europe, we want to give our windows, façades and gardens their festive finery. Decorating contests are organized in some towns and people come from all around to admire the most spectacular creations at night.

In addition to the illuminations, the plants bring you material to stimulate your creativity. There is an unsuspected palette to decorate balconies and windowsills.

Winter flowers, gleaming berries and colorful evergreen foliage can be combined to decorate your windows during the day.

Garlands and other lights will take care of the night show.

Miniature and related fir trees for window boxes 

• False cypress 'Top Point
• Dwarf spruce
• Juniper 'Sentinel
• Juniper 'Stricta
• Dwarf Serbian Fir
• Dwarf Blue Fir

Flowers that never get cold 

• Winter heather (white, pink, purple red)
• Autumn Camellia (pink, white)
• Hellbore (white)
• Winter jasmine (yellow) if pruned regularly
• Japanese Skimmia 'Rubella' (pink)

Berries for the holidays 

• Gaultheria (red, purple)
• Pernettya (pink, white)
• Japanese Skimmia (red)

Red and purple foliage that lasts all winter

• Purple creeping bugle
• Heuchera 'Palace Purple', 'Rachel
• Leucothoe 'Scarletta
• Dwarf Purple Pittosporum
• Purple Sage

Foliage in soft green 

• Muehlenbeckia
• Golden lumpwort
• Rosemary
• Green Santolinia
• Lemon Thyme 'Golden Dwarf

Blue-green foliage 

• Blue Fescue
• Street

Variegated foliage 

• Abelia 'Confetti
• variegated Acore
• Mugwort 'Oriental Limelight
• Carex 'Evergold'
• variegated evergreen sedge
• Fusain 'Emerald Gaity
• Lime 'Golden anniversary
• Golden Anniversary' Lame Tree
• Leucothoe 'Rainbow' (French)
• Ivy
• Pachysandra variegated
• Periwinkle 'Illumination
• Pittosporum small leaf variegated
• variegated sage 'Icterina

Grey foliage 

• Mugwort 'Powis Castle
• Calocephalus
• Maritime Cinerea
• Hebe 'Pagei
• Helichrysum woolly
• Heuchera 'Pretty Polly', 'Can Can'...
• Lavender
• Bear's Ear 'Silver Carpet
• Grey Santolin
• Sage 'Berggarten

Geraniums with fragrant foliage

Surprisingly, scented geraniums diffuse their fragrance as soon as their foliage is crumpled with your fingertips. Ideal for beds, borders and walkways, they are sure to charm you!

Scented cranesbill : what is it ?

Wrongly called 'geraniums', they are in fact plants belonging to the Pelargonium genus, so vast that it includes 230 species of plants and multiple cultivars. There are many forms of Pelargoniums, including the well-known ivies on our balconies, the zonals used in pots and beds, but also the fragrant Pelargoniums whose foliage often gives off a characteristic odor when it is crumpled or when the sun heats it, or even when the dew touches it.

The shapes and textures of the foliage vary from one species or variety to another: velvety, lobed, toothed, cut...

The flowers of these Pelargoniums are often simple, pink or white, rarely spectacular, but this does not matter since it is mainly the fragrance of the leaves that will hold the attention of the gardener.

Species and varieties of scented geraniums

There are botanical species with a strong scent, such as Pelargonium tomentosum, a species that spreads easily on the ground and has beautiful, velvety, hard green leaves. A strong mentholated smell escapes from the plant as soon as it is touched.  The small white flowers are charming and appear in summer. Attention this species native of South Africa is frileuse! Take the pots inside in winter.

Pelargonium odoratissimum is also native to South Africa. The rounded apple green leaves give off the scent of this fruit! From March to July, beautiful star-shaped flowers appear, adding to the ornamental power of this 'geranium'.

Pelargonium blandfordianum is a remarkable and amazing subject! Its very cut, almost feathery, grey/green foliage gives off the scent of almond and vermouth. The flowers of this species are white spotted with dark pink.

On the side of the cultivars and other hybrids, one finds the famous Pelargonium graveolens in these horticultural productions with the marked fragrance of pink. It is used in the field of perfumery and cosmetics. It is used in the composition of rose geranium essential oil, used to treat stress, but also skin problems, nausea and viral infections.

Let's also note the refreshing 'Torento Ginger' with its invigorating scent of lemon and ginger, the 'Lemon Fresh Mosquito Fighter' which keeps mosquitoes away and the no less charming 'Prince of Orange' which is reminiscent of the scent of this citrus fruit.

More surprising, 'Choco Scent' exhales a sweet chocolate and hazelnut scent. It is remarkable by its very cut bright green foliage and by its small pink flowers which contrast with this last one and what to say about 'Chocolate Peppermint' which combines the perfumes of mint and chocolate like a certain well known delicacy!

Balconies in full bloom

In the past, balconies were only decorated with ivy geraniums. Nowadays, the wide choice of plants in various colors, textures and forms offers many possibilities. Pleasure of the eyes assured during all the beautiful season!

New trends, new techniques

Flowering balconies has become a national sport in our country. Some municipalities even encourage residents to do so, to the delight of walkers. The choice of PVC planters in flashy but also more classic colors is growing. English baskets and hanging baskets are available in many models and materials.

New techniques that allow for better water retention (gel, beads...), new substrates that are very rich and specific to each crop, slow release fertilizers but also drip systems applied to the balcony are all advances that facilitate the work of urban gardeners.

In the past, there was only a limited choice of potted plants, nowadays, it is possible to order mini-pots on the Internet in one click and have them delivered to your home. This ingenious system makes it possible to obtain many plants in the beginning of growth, thus less expensive. No more need to sow your seeds while keeping the pleasure of seeing the plant grow!

Every year new varieties are created and flood the market. Original colors, more resistant plants, thematic classification (shade, sun, beautiful foliage ...) offer the possibility of infinite modulation of plantings on the balcony.

Cascades of flowers on the balcony

Just go to any garden center in the spring to realize the sea of flowers that it offers. Among them, the great classics of our balconies such as the ivy pelargoniums or the petunias, but also the osteopermums with their large white, pink or orange daisies, the surfinias forming cascades of flowers with new colors every year, the 'Million Bells' with their small and very colorful flowers, or the multiple cultivars of verbena.

Ideal plants in compositions, bidens, illuminate the pots with their golden yellow, lobelias, lighten the decor with their airy white or deep blue flowers while diascias bring a touch of originality.

Balconies located in the shade or half-shade will benefit from the new impatiens cultivars, including those from New Guinea, with delicately iridescent flowers, as if glittering when a ray of sunlight touches them. Impatiens with very double flowers will be perfect in a pot on a table, in order to fully enjoy their buds looking like small roses.

Let's not forget the timeless fuchsia, which also benefits from numerous hybridizations to come back every year in new versions with ever more chubby and colorful flowers!

Scented winter flowering shrubs for the balcony and terrace

Winter-blooming shrubs are a surprise when you see them braving the season's bad weather to bloom generously for long weeks. And when you realize that most of them are divinely scented, you can't wait to get outside...

For the balcony

Sarcococca humilis : this small evergreen shrub grows very well in a pot. It forms in a few seasons a nice compact clump with dark green and glossy foliage. Small discreet cream flowers are present all winter long in the armpit of the leaves. They emit a very powerful vanilla scent. They are followed by navy blue berries. H and E: 0,5 to 1 m.

Its needs: half-shade, shade. Fresh and humusy substratum. Slight pruning after flowering.

Daphne odora: it is the most perfumed of all the daphnes. Its light green evergreen foliage edged with cream is covered all winter with a generous bright pink bloom with flowery and spicy notes evoking jasmine, carnation and clove. H : 1,5 m. E: 1 m.

Its needs: half-shade, sheltered from draughts. Very well drained soil, cool in summer, rich in humus. No pruning required.

For the terrace

Mimosa: belonging to the genus Acacia, this small tree prefers mild climates. Its clusters of small golden yellow pompons illuminate the winter decor. The scent is reminiscent of sugar and honey. H and W: 2 to 4 m. Its needs: full sun, well drained soil, not calcareous (the species retinoides, the "mimosa of the four seasons" tolerates a little calcareous). When the cold is intense, protect the mimosa with a forcing veil or put the pot in a clear, unheated room.

Skimmia japonica : this shrub with a compact and rounded habit offers a dark green, shiny and leathery evergreen foliage. The plant is dioecious. The flowering of the male subjects is more beautiful than that of the females. From February, small bunches of creamy star-shaped flowers with purple stamens emit a scent reminiscent of vanilla, lily of the valley and orange tree. It is the female plants which offer a splendid brilliant red fructification. H and W: 1 to 1,5 m.

Its needs: light sun, half-shade, fresh soil. Pruning unnecessary (slow growth).

Viburnum farreri : formerly named V.fragrans, this beautiful deciduous shrub is a real winter incense with notes of vanilla, honey and almond. The small clusters of pale pink flowers can be seen from autumn, accompanying us until early spring. They are followed by red fruits. H: 2 to 3 m and W: 2 m. Choose the cultivar 'Nanum' which reaches 1 m and is decorative all year round.

Its needs: sun (shelter from the morning sun, avoid eastern exposures), cool soil. Prune after flowering if necessary. You can also fall for the Camellia sasanqua (blooms from autumn to the middle of winter). Our favorites for the small garden

Daphne mezereum: this deciduous shrub with soft green foliage justifies its name of 'pretty wood' with its generous pink or purple bloom, which lasts several weeks from February to April. Its flowers smell like jasmine but also like hyacinth, carnation and clove. They are followed by small red drupes scarlet very toxic but appreciated by the birds. H and E: 50 cm to 2 m. Slow growth.

Its needs: light sun, half-shade. Well-drained soil but cool in summer. Does not like to be moved.

Witch hazel: the "witches' hazel" is a deciduous shrub with an upright or spreading habit that blooms in late winter. Its flowers in light sulphur yellow, copper or brick red pompons are scattered along the branches. Their scent is reminiscent of honey. For its more intense perfume, prefer the species H.mollis to the hybrids Hamamelis x intermedia. H and E : 1 to 2 m. Magnificent autumn coloring of the foliage.

Its needs: sun, half-shade, shelter from drafts, cool and acid soil. No pruning (slow growth).

Mahonia x media 'Charity' : this large erect shrub becomes rounder with time. It offers a very decorative evergreen foliage. The large, leathery, dark green leaves have very prickly edges. The very long flowering period begins in the heart of autumn and lasts until March. The large clusters of golden yellow spikes perfume the air, evoking the scent of lily of the valley. The flowers are followed by navy blue plum berries, very appreciated by birds. H and W: 2 to 3 m.

Its needs: light sun, half-shade. Fertile, fresh and humus soil. No pruning (slow growth).

You can also fall for the Viburnum carlesii (flowering at the end of winter).

A vegetable garden on the balcony

There is no reason to deprive yourself of the joy of harvesting fresh vegetables grown in a natural way just because you have a simple balcony. Both decorative and useful, this arrangement allows you to change the decor over the months while enjoying yourself, so don't hesitate any longer: transform your balcony into a vegetable garden!

Ideal conditions

To ensure an abundant harvest, a few simple principles must be respected:

Each type of plant has specific needs, so it is necessary to take an interest in their growing conditions in order to adapt the exposure, watering and nutrient supply in a targeted manner. Thus, on a balcony with a southern exposure and plenty of sunshine, you can try growing tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and even melons. Also think about ornamental squash that will take over in the fall, well attached to a trellis along a vertical wall.

In mid-shade, lettuces, radishes, watercress or spinach will perfectly match ornamental plants such as fuchsias, coleus or begonias that will bring a note of color to the whole.

Watering should never be neglected because unlike a traditional vegetable garden, the vegetables will grow in containers and will be subject to much greater evaporation. The pots should not be undersized to allow a good development of the root system.

Remember also to adapt the nature of the mix to the plant: tomatoes and melons, for example, require a very rich soil and consume a lot of nutrients, while aromatic plants such as thyme, rosemary, chives or mint require a lighter substrate, with the addition of sand to ensure good drainage. Once again, don't hesitate to ask about the growing conditions of each plant!

Finally, growth should be supported by very regular and targeted fertilization: leafy vegetables will appreciate a fertilizer with a high dose of nitrogen while fruits will need more potassium to ensure a good harvest. Preferably choose natural fertilizers used in organic agriculture and avoid the use of chemical pesticides. This way, you will grow healthy vegetables with a preserved taste.

A suspended but secure vegetable garden

Be careful, installing a vegetable garden on a balcony should not make you forget the obvious safety rules;

• Avoid overloading the balcony and respect the rules in force in your condominium;
• Avoid overloading the balcony and respect the rules in effect in your condominium; Favour containers made of light materials, keeping in mind that a maximum weight of 350 kg per average balcony is usually tolerated. This weight includes of course the substrate, the plant once developed and the container itself, not to mention the watering water that is added to these parameters;
• Do not install planters on the side of the road and avoid planting heavy fruits such as watermelons which could be very dangerous if they fall.

A garden on my window

In the city, it is rare to have the chance to own a garden, or even a balcony. But don't let that stop you! A window sill will be enough to create a small green space despite everything.

A garden on a windowsill

A windowsill is a restricted space and is subject to a particular microclimate. The heat can be intense in the summer if the window is facing south, but the cold can be just as intense in the winter.

The rain, slowed down by the walls and the roof edges, waters the plants much less. You must therefore take all these parameters into account before you start.

Generally narrow, a windowsill must be well laid out to accommodate your miniature garden. You can choose between a simple planter or several small pots. The containers will be part of the decor and will be visible from inside the apartment, choose them to your taste and as an extension of your interior decor. The choice is vast: pewter, steel, colored PVC, or glazed terracotta, everyone will find happiness in the shelves of garden centers.

For safety reasons, remember to secure your pots so that they do not land on the head of a passer-by at the first gust of wind.

The different possibilities

Depending on the region, the climate but also the taste of each person, it is possible to create various kinds of 'gardens' on a windowsill:

Garden of herbs

Parsley, thyme, rosemary, oregano, mint, basil are all possibilities for a herb garden. The list is of course not exhaustive and can be enhanced with other herbs according to individual taste. In individual pots if they don't require the same watering conditions or in a common planter, it's up to you to compose your own fragrant decor!

Cactus garden

Ideal in the south and for a southern exposure, the cactus garden on a windowsill always looks good. You can vary the heights by giving verticality with candle cacti, oponces and Euphorbias and use spherical cacti in the foreground. If they like the growing conditions, they will bloom amazingly in the spring.

Flower garden

Use annuals or biennials to change your décor often. Viola, cyclamen, small bulbs such as muscaris or Iris reticulata will decorate your windows during the bad season. In summer, pelargoniums or surfinias falling in cascades, bacopas or 'Million Bells' will do well in a sunny window. For shade, choose fuchsias, impatiens or begonias. 

Foliage garden

For a windowsill, choose dwarf shrubs such as some conifers that will give verticality, then place at their feet plants with colored or variegated foliage to give brightness to the scene. Heuchers with deep and bright colors, artemisia or helichrysum with silver foliage, but also small variegated ivy will attract the eye on your windowsills.