Having a urban garden It's one of the best ways to take advantage of small, unused spaces on terraces, balconies, patios, or rooftops. Transforming these areas into a green corner is possible thanks to the use of pots, which allow you to grow a wide variety of plants, trees, shrubs, and flowers, even when you don't have a lot of space. Plus, choosing the right pot can provide design, functionality, and great resistance to the outdoor climate.
Types of pots and planters for urban gardens
- Ceramic and clay pots: Traditional and decorative, they facilitate root transpiration, although they are heavier and more fragile.
- Plastic pots: Lightweight, economical, and weather-resistant, they're ideal for easy movement and available in a variety of designs and sizes.
- Treated wood planters: Perfect for outdoors, especially when treated to resist moisture and insects. They blend naturally into the environment and are available with geotextile mesh to improve drainage.
- Planters made of lacquered steel, corten steel or cast iron: Highly durable, modern, and highly capable, they are recommended for urban and public spaces. Corten steel stands out for its aged appearance and durability.
- Concrete planters: Great robustness and capacity, ideal for delimiting spaces or creating permanent plant compositions.
Which plants are best suited to pots?
- Trees: You can grow species such as camphor, citrus, acer palmatoria, acer buergerianum, acacia baileyana, prunus pissardi, ficus, aguaribay or ligustrum sinensis in pots.
- Shrubbery: Azaleas, abelias, buxus, eugenias, camellias, ligustrum texanum, laurentino, flower laurel, bridal wreaths,azaeros, roses, hydrangeas, formios, lavenders, callistemon or dodoneas.
- Climbers: Chinese jasmine, Azorean jasmine, humile jasmine, native jasmine, clematis, or Santa Ritas are perfect for creating vertical green walls.
- Herbaceous perennials: Agapanthus, calla lilies, yellow bulbin daisies, hostas, verbenas, geraniums, hollyhocks, palm trees, grasses and aromatic plants such as rosemary, mint or basil.
- Annual herbaceous plants: Petunias, houseplants, lobelias, carnations, alisun, begonias and more.
Features and advantages of urban pots
- Space optimization: Pots allow you to grow in small spaces and take advantage of corners, walls, or railings with hanging or vertical models.
- Mobility and flexibility: You can change the location of the plants depending on the season or their sun and shade needs.
- Design and customization: Pots come in all styles, colors, and materials, making it easy to integrate them into any urban decor.
- Drainage and Plant Health: Many models feature improved drainage systems, geotextile mesh, and insulating materials that keep the substrate in optimal condition.
Remember to choose the appropriately sized pot for each plant and use a quality substrate. For large plants or trees, there are sturdy, large pots that facilitate proper root development. You can check out the best plants for sunny terraces to choose the most suitable species. In addition, the correct choice of the type of ornamental shrubs in pots can further enhance your urban garden.
