inspired

patio

2019 Trend & Idea Guide

+ balconyliving

grow big in any space!

explore ideas + trends for your

outdoors

G A R D E N • H O M E • F A S H I O N • G I F T

patio + balcony design tips

identify your themeYour design style is as unique as you are.

When choosing your outdoor theme make sure it fits your aesthetic. From English

Country or Modern to Traditional or Boho Chic, be sure to keep your overall

theme in mind when choosing accessories and plants.

define your spaceOnce you have your theme, define your space using existing walls or railings. To create intimate areas and privacy, trellises, screens or even planters are a great option. For ground level patios, you can anchor a space using gravel, pavers, decking or a large outdoor rug.

add furniture & function Consider what you will be using the space

for. Is it for dining, relaxing, socializing or growing your own food? What you plan to

use the space for will determine the types of furniture you need. Perhaps you need a bit of everything? Be sure to pick furniture that will

best serve the correct function in each of your defined spaces.

G A R D E N • H O M E • F A S H I O N • G I F T

by following a few basic design principles you can create the perfect outdoor escape

Maximize

your style in

any space

group container plantingsRepetition of containers in the same colour or style adds visual impact. Choose planters that are in harmony with your theme, even if you don’t pick just one colour, be sure they all work together cohesively. Keep in mind “the rule of three” - odd number planters tend to be more impactful.

add accents and lightingCreate the perfect ambiance with string lights, lanterns and candles. All of these

come in many styles so be sure to pick thestyle that suits your theme the best and

don’t be afraid to combine a little bit of each!

G A R D E N • H O M E • F A S H I O N • G I F T

water featuresAdd a bit of Zen to your space with the sound of water. If you have space for a larger fountain that suits your taste go for it! For smaller spaces, consider water bowls or even small tabletop features to add the soothing sounds of water to your space.

Now that the important design

elements are in place, it’s time to consider some plants to go with your

sun exposure.

patio + balcony design tips

Maximize

your style in

any space

urban veggie gardens...

With many people now living in condominiums and townhomes, there is an increasing demand for unique ways to grow food in small spaces.Pots & planters are great options for growing food on balconies and patios. Many companies like LifeSpace Gardens & Vegepod have also developed specialized self-watering gardens that serve this exact purpose!

When choosing what to grow on your patio or balcony keep in mind how much sunlight you get. Many veggies, like tomatoes love lots of sun whereas many lettuce varieties do well in part shade.

Wind can create a big challenge when growing on balconies. Try your best to shield your plants from strong winds and remember, plants will dry out faster in pots so it is important to stay on top of watering.

Don’t forget the saucers to help keep your plants hydrated in the summer and to minimize water run off from your patio. This is important in many Strata Buildings.

G A R D E N • H O M E • F A S H I O N • G I F T

Who doesn’t lovefresh veggies?

No matter how big or small of a space you

have, there are lots of fruits & veggies that

can be grown in planters and pots.

TomatoesWith so many varieties to choose from, these summer favourites are one of the must-have patio & balcony veggies. Many varieties are designed to grow compact & do very well in pots in a sunny spot. Many will appreciate the extra support of a tomato cage.

Culinary HerbsAny cook will tell you that nothing beats fresh herbs in your meals. Herbs grow

wonderfully in small pots on a windowsill or window box or in larger containers too. Thyme, Rosemary, Bay, Chives, Oregano,

Basil & Mint are some classics to consider.

StrawberriesThe perfect sweet snack for a summer salad

or smoothie! Strawberries can be grown in traditional ‘strawberry pots’ or grown in

hanging planters! Everbearing varieties that fruit continuously through the summer are a

great choice for growing in containers.

Leafy Greens Lettuces are among the easiest to grow patio veggies! They grow fast in just about any container and can be grown from spring all the way into winter! Kale, Romaine, Butter Lettuce & Raddichio are just a few of our favourites.

some of our favourite balcony food

G A R D E N • H O M E • F A S H I O N • G I F T

OTHER GREAT OPTIONS:

Peppers, Cucumbers, Blueberries, Edible

Flowers, Radishes & Carrots.

VegepodsThe revolutionary “Vegepod” which takes patio veggie

growing to new heights is a container garden with optional legs or wheels to allow the garden to be at waist height and to be moved to alternate locations easily. This self watering, BPA free planting system hails from Australia and comes in 3 different sizes to fit almost any size patio. Vegepod even

comes with built in misters to make watering easier, plus the 17% shade cloth cover keeps out pests and critters.

Grow VerticallyCan’t spare the space? Try going vertical! Using trellises or even hanging planters on a wall are great options to save space while still maximizing your patio bounty. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peas and squashes are good choices for growing on trellises. Herbs,lettuces and edible flowers like marigolds, violas, alyssum and nasturtiums can grow very well in wall-mounted planters.

G A R D E N • H O M E • F A S H I O N • G I F T

MORE GREAT OPTIONS FOR

CONTAINERS INCLUDE: Carrots, Beets, Sweet

Peas, Strawberries Beans, Blueberries

& Swiss chard.

Container GrowingEasy to maintain and offering a wide range of colours,

sizes and styles, using pots to grow your own food is a great way to use every bit of space you have on your balcony or patio.

Outdoor living & patio season in the spring and summer on the West Coast is our reward for getting through the rainy season. Make the most of it! When the days are warmer and longer, bring your indoors out. Patios & balconies are perfect extensions of our home. Simple additions of colourful planters with cozy pillows & blankets create the perfect outdoor oasis.

Potted BloomsDid you know you can grow roses and other beautiful blooming favourites like Camellias & Clematis in pots? Grow them on a trellis or screen for beautiful bloom-covered privacy screens.

G A R D E N • H O M E • F A S H I O N • G I F T

Hanging BasketsTake advantage of vertical space by adding lush, and colourful hanging baskets to your patio or balcony. From mixed annuals, fuchsias to hardy succulent baskets, there’s a basket perfect for you.

patio + balcony blisslive life outdoors

sun loving balcony gardens

Drought Tolerant PlantsLow maintenance options like succulents and

ornamental grasses are great options for sunny patios & balconies. There are many hardy varieties

that LOVE the heat and require little water to survive outdoors. These are a good choice where

windy conditions create a challenging environment.

Colourful Blooms For a hot & sunny patio or balcony, the possibilities are countless for colourful blooms you can grow! Some of our favourites include lavender, rudbeckia, geraniums, coneflowers, petunia, bacopa & calibrachoa.

G A R D E N • H O M E • F A S H I O N • G I F T

“the rule of 3”

group planters in odd numbers for more visual

impact

Colourful ColeusTuck these undemanding, amazing foliage plants into corners, mixed containers or a pot of their own where theywill pop with their colourful leaves!

some like it cool

There’s an abundance of plants that grow best in lower light conditions. Surround yourself with lush foliage and lovely blossoms – the perfect tranquil escape to enjoy a cool drink on a warm summer’s day!

Ferns Another plant where it’s impossible to stop at just one. With so many varieties tochoose from it’s all about shades of green, texture & contrast – all taking place in the cool, cool shade.

HostasBrighten up shady corners with glowing foliage! The perfect perennial for shady containers, hostas will thrive & grow bigger each year. Hundreds of varieties to choose from, so when you get hooked there will always besomething new to add to your collection.

Beautiful Begonias & Fabulous FuchsiasQuintessential flowering annuals for shade. With dozens of different colours, it would be easy to paint your entire patio in just fuchsias & begonias.

G A R D E N • H O M E • F A S H I O N • G I F T

Don’t have a sunny spot?

You’re in luck!

patio + balconygardening essentials

G A R D E N • H O M E • F A S H I O N • G I F T

Pots + SaucersThe plants you choose for your small space garden will need a place to set down roots.

Containers are available in a wide range of materials including clay, ceramic, plastic, wood & metal – all are suitable.

Soil + FertilizerGrow your patio plants in a potting mix specially blended for use in containers.

GARDENWORKS Planter Box Mix is available in convenient, easy to carry and use 20 litre bags.

There are many options for feeding your plants. GARDENWORKS controlled release, balanced Hanging Basket Food can be used to feed any plants growing in containers, and lasts up to 4 months.

Choose pottery that coordinates best with your overall design. Your pots should have drain holes to get rid of excess water. On a balcony you’ll want to have saucers to catch the excess water, so that water doesn’t drain off your balcony to your neighbour below.

Design Tip: Groups several pots of different heights together to use space efficiently and to create impressive displays.

Some pots and planters are “Self-watering”. These are convenient and useful if you leave your plants to fend for themselves for more than a day or two!

G A R D E N • H O M E • F A S H I O N • G I F T

Watering AccesoriesIf your balcony or patio does not include an outdoor faucet, you’ll want a good quality watering can. Features to look for in a good watering can:

• Ample capacity so that you don’t have to make too many trips between the tap and your balcony (7 or 8 litres works pretty well) *If it seems too heavy don’t fill it quite to the top.

• Look for a comfortable handle and a spout that extends out far enough to make it easy to reach all your plants.

If you have access to a faucet, a good quality hose that will not leak is a good investment. Get a hose only just long enough to reach all your plants. If it is too long, you’ll have to find a space to store hose length that you just don’t need!

Watering wand - A good watering wand is a joy to use and makes it easy to reach hanging baskets and pots.

Pest Control & PrunersEven on a balcony 50 metres above the ground, there’s a chance some bugs will find your beautiful plants! You may not want to share. Monitor your plants regularly and keep a bottle of ready to use SAFERS Insecticidal Soap on hand to control common pests like aphids.A pair of pruners comes in handy for plant grooming and for harvestingsalad greens and herbs.

patio + balconygardening essentials

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B U R N A B Y L O U G H E E DB U R N A B Y M A N D E V I L L EN O R T H VA N C O U V E R

f o l l o w u s f o r m o r e t i p s + a d v i c e

S A A N I C HO A K B AYC O LW O O D

If you are stuck for design ideas or simply don’t want the mess at your home, let us do the work for you! Our teams of talented design staff can create the perfect planter for you.

custom planters + more

Indoor & Outdoor Succulent Gardens For a hot & sunny patio or balcony, or a bright corner in your home, succulents & cacti are among the easiest to care for plants. Select your own collection or let our designers plant up a beautiful creation for you.

Seasonal planters for any styleNo matter the season, our designers can plant

up the perfect planters for your garden, patio or entrance. Bring in your own pots or select one

from our extensive selection of ceramics, concrete, stone, metal or plastic containers

in a variety of styles andglazes for indoors and out.

P E N T I C T O N G A R D E N • H O M E • F A S H I O N • G I F T

Repetition of

planters in the

same colour or

style adds visual

impact.

leave the messfor us!