Project with plants and flowers for a terrace in the city

The green project concerns a rectangular terrace with a surface area of ​​approximately 20 square metres, well exposed to the south-east, not shaded by nearby buildings and with a view on two sides. These are particularly favorable conditions, to be enhanced with a decorative and functional arrangement, diversified with species of different sizes. The common thread is a selection of plants typical of the Mediterranean climate or which in any case suggest the atmosphere, even if the space is located in the city, in the heart of the Po Valley.

Project for a terrace facing south-east

Palm trees and succulents alternate with citrus and pomegranate shrubs, among fragrant sage and rosemary bushes. The long side faces south, the short side faces east. The arrangement of plants and flowers also leaves space for a round table with four chairs, for outdoor lunches and dinners.

To the south (long side) a large flowerbed and succulent plants

Along the longest side, pots with small bushes – osteospermum, euphorbia, cistus, sage and rosemary – are placed on the ground to leave your gaze free. To complete, a collection of succulents. Below are the plants in detail.

Dimorphothecae

Osteospermum, better known as dimorphotheca, are herbaceous plants that over time tend to lignify at the base. They have dark green, dense vegetation, on which they stand out throughout the summer, until the temperatures drop, flowers in the shape of a classic daisy, rather large (about 5 cm in diameter), intensely coloured. The new selections, in addition to showing greater resistance to the cold, have bi or multicolored corollas like those of the “Orbit” series. They are perfect in large bowls from which they can fall, spreading, onto the floor.

Euphorbia coraloides

Euphorbia coraloides, capable of reaching a height of 80 cm, develops robust acid green tufts. It adapts to all types of terrain and exposure it can be placed either in full sun or partial shade. It has erect stems, always slender, with lanceolate leaves. The flowers open from May to September, they are collected in characteristic sulfur yellow umbels which, although small and sparse, stand out even from afar.

Cysts

Cysts, whatever species or variety you choose, will surprise you with their incredible resistance. Cold, heat and dry seem not to damage these plants used to living in extreme conditions and poor soil. This characteristic must be respected by using a well-drained substrate, even with the addition of gravelto avoid stagnation. Cistus x Purpureus ‘Alan Fradd’ has large flowers with characteristic dark purple spots, so well balanced that an untrained eye can only distinguish them from a rose at close range.

Prostrate rosemary and sage

Prostrate rosemary and sage will introduce a note of intense green and one of gray green ideal for harmonizing everything. The first, overflowing, creates cascades of colour, sage must be pruned often so that it remains compact and floriferous.

The succulent plant area

It is organized near the large French window in the kitchen a collection of cold-resistant succulents (Opuntia basilaris, Agave havardiana Echinocerus triglochidiatus) which can remain outside even during the winter, just place them against the wall of the house and protect them with a sheet of expanded polyurethane. It is essential to grow them in well-drained soil that does not retain moisture. Having to use saucers so that the water does not spread on the floor and risk dripping onto the facade, it is best to place them in these a layer of gravel, so that the container cannot reabsorb what drains from the bottom hole. Fertilizing with a specific product is important, not only for growth, but also to improve resistance to cold.

To the east (short side) a hedge for screening

It is obtained with Mediterranean shrubs, partly stripping and partly evergreen. To give depth and movement, the containers should be arranged in staggered rows. In the remaining free space, about two metres, there is a cold-resistant citrus fruit, some pots of Ampelodesmos mauritanicus and dwarf pomegranates. At the ends, in the corners, two large vases with palm trees are placed. Below are the plants in detail.

Yuzu

Yuzu, a citrus fruit of probable Tibetan origin, hybrid, also called yuzu orange, is cold resistant, even several degrees below zero, and can be grown outdoors unless there are waves of polar frost during which it is recommended to protect it. Despite being a small tree, it has large thorns, large lanceolate leaves and large single, white and fragrant flowers. The fruit, similar to mandarin, depressed at the poles, has a wrinkled skin, between yellow and green when ripe. The taste is very acidic and with a bitter final note, but it has various uses in the kitchen.

Ampelodesmos mauritanicus

Ampelodesmos mauritanicus is one grass that remains evergreen up to temperatures of -5 °C and that it needs to be protected from prevailing winds that could ruin it. It flowers in summer forming long white plumes, it requires full sun, it is adaptable in terms of terrain. It only requires to be watered without excesses and to be well nourished to develop important bushes, up to 200 centimeters high, thick, but always light and never too compact, to let the light pass and only partially shield.

Dwarf pomegranates

Dwarf pomegranates they reach a height of about one meter and they are very compact, but it can happen that plants are also marketed as such which over time easily exceed two meters in height and take on the shape of a small tree with a bare trunk. Carefully check the wording on the accompanying tag, including the maximum height indicated. Bushy and decorative plant, fears sun and heat: His flaw? Do not produce edible fruits.

White flowers

White blooms can be placed at the foot of the main vases, choosing the varieties from delosperma, lantana, pelargonium, Vernonia crinita.

Palm trees in the corners

Together with citrus fruits, nothing manages to create Mediterranean atmospheres like palm trees, elements that are typically found in Sicilian gardens. Growing this plant in a city like Milan (albeit on a protected terrace) and in a pot narrows the field of choice – if you want certainty of success – to a few species. Two are proposed: Trachycarpus fortunei and Chamaerops humilis.

Trachycarpus fortuneioriginally from China, the one found in the flowerbeds in front of the Cathedral; However, St. Peter’s palm or dwarf palm (Chamaerops humilis) is preferable: it is the only endemic to the Mediterranean.

Chamaerops humilis, easy to grow, requires being placed in full sun, in a position sheltered from strong and prevailing winds, in fertile but always well-drained soil. The vase must be large and deep, at least 60 centimeters wide and high. In nature it reaches a height of about one metre, even double that in cultivation, while tall individuals, even 6 metres, belong to the “dactylocarpa” variety. The leaves are recognizable because each element of the fan ends in a double tip. They are carried by a long woody, thorny stalk. The stem is often branched at the base. It tolerates frost, if not too intense or long-lasting, and snow loads. If they choose two copies: one of small size, well trained, and one of large size (150-175 cm), perhaps with multiple stems, grown in a pot of 80-100 cm in diameter.

Rfm 4/23

Projects for the balcony and terrace