Create a gorgeous and (virtually) maintenance-free deck
By Michelle Hopkins
Most of us live incredibly busy lives and, between work, family, travel and more, who has the time or energy to maintain planting on our balcony or deck? For many of us, the idea of a maintenance-free outdoor space, one that is worthy of our neighbours’ envy but requires no work, is extremely appealing. Linda Rushlow, horticulturalist at Daisy Landscaping, says, “When it comes to live plants, there is nothing that is maintenance- free but you can have low-maintenance plants that require minimal upkeep.”
There are many super-low-maintenance plants – think succulents, cacti and ornamental grasses – that need very little watering and look great year-round. You just need to know what to look for (see Rushlow’s tips, below).
But what if you want a truly 100 per cent maintenance-free deck? Would you like to enjoy beautiful, natural-looking foliage all year round, without the watering? What about a stylish balcony or deck that requires no maintenance whatsoever?
West Coast Condominium reached out to Tommy Smythe, co-host on HGTV’s Sarah’s Rental Cottage series. The interior designer, and frequent TV guest and host along with Sarah Richardson, says more and more of his clients are asking him to minister to their exterior spaces in a way that requires virtually no fuss.
“When looking for virtually maintenance-free accessories or furniture, make sure they are weatherproof; as in treated, sealed or stained,” Smithe tells West Coast Condominium.
Smithe’s favourite zero- maintenance deck ideas
1) Install outdoor art: The sky is the limit here. Smithe loves to restore and reuse items and he loves architecturally salvaged items. “Every major city has an urban salvage centre where they sell stuff such as carved limestone, stained glass, bricks, gorgeous pieces of wood from old buildings that have been torn down. With a little imagination and a bit of sweat equity, they can become side tables, outdoor art… anything. Remember eclectic is in and avant-garde is trendy.”
2) Use faux foliage for the green look: These are not your 1980s Golden Girls-style, tacky, fake-looking plants, says Smithe. These days, artificial plants can be incredibly realistic and create a great effect. Look for plastic boxwood leaves, which are extremely natural-looking and have a lush green shade that looks beautiful, or fabric-based fake grasses and bamboo plants. Artificial plants can be placed in any outdoor container. You can even make a large trellis against a wall to showcase your smaller faux hanging plants,
3) Frame low- or no-maintenance plants as a “living wall”: “You can create a living mosaic out of succulents in a weatherproof wall frame that looks especially stunning,” adds Smithe.
4) Gather great accent pieces and furniture: Treat your outdoor space like another room and furnish it. Go on the hunt for antique/ vintage wrought iron, cast iron tables and chairs, mid-century treated teak wood and glass-top pieces of furniture. “Then spray a little colour on to add soul to your patio or deck,” adds the TV personality. “I had a client request that I paint an outdoor cast iron table she found in a fire engine red and we placed a glass top on it … fabulous. Remember mix it up and no matchy, matchy.”
6) Accessorize with eclectic items such as marble candlesticks, ice buckets, vintage bar carts and lanterns: Check out Kijiji, Craigslist or eBay to source out any of these items to add interest and personality to your outdoor decor, says Smithe. Look for chrome or copper lanterns, then paint them if desired and hang them from the ceiling of your deck or on wall hooks. Accent a vintage bar cart with ice buckets filled with your favourite drinks. Marble candlesticks not only add elegance, they require no fuss and look fabulous on an outdoor table.
Rushlow’s favourite low- maintenance plants
1) Ornamental grasses such as Pennisetum (Karley Rose). These versatile grasses offer plumes of colours, movement and softness. They grow well in containers and only need to be cut back once a year in the spring and, after the first year of growth, require very little water. “There is lots of choice here and in the fall they look especially gorgeous,” says Rushlow.
2) Succulents: Aloe, scilla, gasteria and haworthia are a few examples of succulents that thrive in the hot sun and need infrequent watering. If you’re looking to increase the beauty of your outdoor planters, consider planting a flowering Autumn Joy, which not only looks pretty but butterflies love them as well. A word of caution: If you are planting succulents in terracotta pots, they tend to dry out more quickly.
Original Source: West Coast Condominium
Read the original article here.
Original article: The Province
Read original aricle here.