Shady apartment gardens are a common feature of urban living. Not many people have the space for a large garden but everyone wants a small shady front garden with lots of character. There are several apartment gardening ideas that can be used to create this kind of garden. The trick is to think about how the area is going to be used and what your preference in plants is. It can be a bit tricky because you want the plants to be functional, interesting, and attractive but not overpowering if that’s not what your neighborhood has going for it.
There are several plants that can make good small shady front garden ideas. Ferns are a great choice for this sort of environment. You can find all sorts of ferns, from container grown to ornamental to ground cover. One thing you need to remember though, is that these ferns are best planted in partial shade or in containers where they will get partial sun. This will help them avoid being burned by the sun.
One of the most common plants used in small shady front garden ideas is an orchid. Orchids come in all shapes and sizes but are popular for their flowers. There are several orchids that are ideal for apartment gardening, such as the Oriental Belted Orchid. These flowers come in a variety of colors and grow up to four feet tall.
Another plant that is easy to care for and pretty is a pothos. These beautiful evergreen plants come in many varieties including the Blue-Lipped Papyrus. They do well in apartment settings, since they don’t need a lot of maintenance and aren’t invasive. They are a bit ephemeral in nature, which makes them perfect for apartment gardens.
Some other small shady front garden ideas include a hosta. Hostas are quite easy to care for, even though they require a bit of upkeep. Unlike some other plants, hostas don’t grow very tall and can be installed fairly high on the garden trellis. They prefer slightly moist soil that is slightly acidic, so you might want to use a soap based pH stabilizer if you plan on using this plant in your apartment.
Pansies are another plant that is quite popular for apartment gardening. They don’t really need much attention, although they do like to have a lot of sun. They come in a wide variety of color and grow up to three feet tall. Some people like pansies planted along the walls, while others like to have them on the ground. Either way, pansies make a nice complement to your overall garden design.
For something a little more exotic, you can also look into introducing some larger plants to your small apartment landscape. Orchids and some ferns are both great choices for the apartment, as they are quite large and don’t take up a lot of room in the pot. Both of these types of plants are good for hanging from the apartment’s balcony railing, which will give your plants a nice view of the outdoors, and also provide you with some shade in the evening. If you live in an apartment where it’s not possible to have flowering plants hanging from the apartment balcony railing, you might consider causes instead, since they grow quite large and look great tucked away in the orchid house.
As you can see, there are all sorts of small shady front garden ideas available out there. Just keep in mind that you are going to want to use materials that are going to be able to withstand the conditions in your small apartment. Also, try to match your pots and plants to the style of your home, so that the entire space looks uniform. With a little bit of effort, you can create a beautiful looking space in your own apartment.