Balcony Needs Work

Agave funkiana 'Fatal Attraction'
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The balcony is a random collection of leftovers and don't likes and fogottens and vines from seed.  It needs some design sense.  'Fatal Attraction' is around the corner and not visible here. 
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That Ficus benjamina is tragic, but I sort of enjoy torturing those invasive, aggresive roots strangled in that pot. 
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Les from A Tidewater Gardener sent me the Thunburgia seeds (random drawing):  Thanks again, Les!  The flowers are cheery:
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Lots of the seeds sprouted, but the Mockingbirds came and ate the seedlings.  One survived seedling survived.
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I planted some Sweet Peas in late fall.  They haven't grown much until now:
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One of the harvested Agave americana medio-picta alba 'Aurea' is in a pot up there, my first attempt towards a Better Balcony.
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I really need to do better by this balcony.  We were out there the other night listening to the local coyote pack howl.  Some of the surrounding trees are uplit and the plantings are now mature enough to create a beautiful scene.  The conversation went something like this:
Me:  "Wow, it's beautiful here."
Beloved: "We should put some chairs or something.  This is really nice."
Me:  "Yeah."

We all have areas that can use improvement.  What's yours?  I'll get to this spot after the roses are done, and the mulching, and the Big West Slope project.  Back to work, back to work...

Comments

  1. Oh my goodness, your 'balcony' is bigger than my whole garden! I call that a terrace, not a balcony, but that might be my British English :-)

    My seating area is also the weakest point in my garden, it is up for a renewal/rethink this year, depending on money coming in and what I can manage to get my landlord to spend on groundwork. Definitely some new garden furniture on my plan. Not sure what else.

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    1. Well, according to the dictionary definition it's both, so we are both right. Seating areas always seem to be a weak point. We gardeners are never lounging about idle if it is nice outside, are we?

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  2. It is such a lovely space to enjoy of an evening, some comfortable chairs, a small table would be a great idea.

    I need a lovely shaded pergola at the back of my house as the north facing windows and the paved area require much more shade in the summer.

    There is always something to do.

    xoxoxo ♡

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    1. Yes isn't that the truth, always something to do. At least we have no excuse to get bored, right? :)

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  3. You haven't shown this space before while I've been reading -- I love it!

    Chairs are a great first step, as spending more time here will help you decide what exactly you want to do plant-wise.

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    1. There never seems to be enough time to spend there. Perhaps that's part of the problem?

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  4. Your balcony and view are delicious! The books tell us that seating areas and places to lounge and soak in the ambience are very important in every garden. Since I never sit in my garden unless a visitor stops by (very seldom) my seating areas get overrun with potted plants. Try as I might, I like dogs and plants better than most people.

    My whole garden needs improvement but the worst areas are my parking strips. They have no design, are the last in line when it comes to maintainence chores, and are the recipients of all the plants that don't work in my garden but are too nice to throw away. The result is a jarring cacophony of sun lovers growing in the increasing shade of trees that should be cut down, and a variety of one ofs that make no sense.

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    1. Yes dogs and plants are what do it for me, too. We are what we are.

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  5. You always make me laugh, Hoover Boo. My garden is perfect so I can sit here and lounge in bed with a bunged up knee with a perfectly clear conscience. I do have the shades drawn however, so reality doesn't interfere with my delusional thinking, lolol. I hope you get to sit down sometime.

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    1. I hope your knee feels better fast so you can get back out there to all that perfection!

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  6. My kitchen looks out on my back patio so I look at it several times a day but, after 2 years in this house, it's still not "done." As you say, there's always another priority. However, in the past, doing something like scheduling a party has prompted me to at least nip away at the problem. I've also started keeping a wish list so, on the infrequent occasions on which my husband asks me what I want for my b-day or Xmas, I have one or more items on there to spiff up the patio. Good luck making inroads with your balcony!

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    1. That is a wise strategy Kris, if only I'd thought of that. Well now I have. :) Two years, what is my excuse after 12 1/2?

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  7. Getting rid of the 'RV Parking' concrete hell-hole on the side of my house is my fondest wish. The plantings (which I have been mentally fantasizing for a few years) would also obscure the unsightly hulk of my neighbors' pick up truck.This project is strictly a matter of finances, and there is some hope that 2013 will be the year. Your balcony reeks with potential !

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  8. What a great future project to show us - to think you've blown it off for a while. How you'll define the spaces? Style? Containers? Furnishings? Can't wait to see this evolve. Eat your hearts out, restaurants overlooking the ocean! I love my modest but on-ground patios, so many memories in 14+ years.

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    1. I have often stated my design cluelessness, surely this proves it...

      Your patios are beautiful and evocative of your climate. If only I could do so well!

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