no yard but ugly porch - Knowledgebase Question

Annuals
Perennials
Garden Planning
Lynnwood, WA (Zone 7B)
Question by tigerbomb206
April 19, 2007
I live in a place that has no yard but a porch (which I think is really ugly looking). I want to get it ready for the summer weather for a hang out area and make it look really nice. I thought putting some nice plants and some outdoor furniture would be nice. But I have no idea how to get started. I need help.


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Answer from NGA
April 19, 2007

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 It sounds to me as though you have the perfect spot for a container garden. While you're out looking for furniture, look for some decorative containers, too. Choose different sizes and colors for that "wow" effect. When you get home, arrange the containers on the porch until you like the look, then go out and find some plants to compliment the look. Depending upon whether the area is shady or sunny or in-between, the following plants look great in containers. When planting, place the tallest plants in the center and the trailing ones at the edges. You'll have a fantastically colorful and attractive porch garden only a few weeks after planting.

Plants for shade or semi-shade:
Begonia (tuberous)
Begonia (nonstop)
Bacopa
Cordyline indivisia
Browallia (upright)
Browallia (trailing)
Ferns
Coleus
Calceolaria
Fuchsia (upright)
Cyclamen
Centradenia
Heliotrope
Creeping Charlie
Impatiens
Hosta
Lobelia (compact, trailing)
Lotus vine
Tradescantia (upright)
Lamiastrum ?Herman?s Pride?
Lamium--foliage
Lysimachia nummularia
Vinca (variegated)

For sunny spots:
Helichrysum
Ageratum
Alyssum
Argyranthemum daisy
Aster
Bachelor button
Celosia (plume -type)
Calendula
Cleome
Coleus
Cosmos
Geranium (zonal)
Dahlia
Campanula
Marigold
Dianthus
Nicotiana
Dusty miller
Erigeron ?Profusion?
Pennisetum rubrum (fountain grass)
Geranium (seed or zonal) Geranium (ivy)
Rudbeckia ?indian summer?
Linaria
Marigold
Salvia 'victoria'
New Guinea impatiens
Snapdragon
Stock
Pansy
Nasturtium
Zinnia
Petunia

Hope this information helps you design a beautiful outdoor space!

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