Gardening in Small Spaces

Shade-Loving Container Flowers

It’s never too early to start dreaming about those summer flowers! In some areas you get to start planting in a month or two, while others will have to wait a bit longer. Wherever you are, envisioning any sort of garden is hard if you don’t have a yard.

Do you live in an apartment, condo or townhome with very little outdoor space? Maybe all you have is a small balcony or patio? I’ve been there myself. What makes it even more difficult is when that balcony or patio is in the shade most or all of the day. How in the world are you supposed to grow anything?

It can be done! And finding the right plants is the first place to start. There are plenty of shade-loving plants, even flowers, and a lot of them will do well in a container. One of my favorites are Impatiens. You can start them from seed right now indoors or wait until planting time and find established plants at your local garden center. They’re readily available in all types of climates and they LOVE the shade! They come in all kinds of colors, from reds to purples to pinks and pure white, and don’t require a ton of water.

So, pick a few plants in colors that you love and that go well together. Find a beautiful pot and some potting soil, place in a shady spot and watch your flowers overflow into a stunning display. Summer flowers, here you come, no yard required!