Some places are freezing cold, in fact. For practically six months out of the year, we’re narrowed to indoor heated spaces, and cars shuffle between heated locations as quickly as possible because it’s just freezing. When warm weather finally creeps in, we all wait by the door with a fishing rod, a bike, a picnic basket even a pair of rollerblades. I’m just desperate to spend time outdoors in the garden with many plants.

Last October, I noticed how horribly I was underutilising my (rather run-down) rooftop deck. Not many apartment complexes in the city even have the potential for a rooftop floor for obvious reasons, but I’m one of the lucky few. It really needed much work to be a usable space, but I had it all winter. Big planters can cleverly utilise rooftops for making some gardening space.

Stone Planters and Urns

I may have jumped ahead of the game, but I picked out garden urns for plants before really purchasing them themselves. Either way, I found a great deal. I chose older looking urn to go with the traditional architectural elegance of my apartment construction. I was worried about shipping time and security, but my urns arrived uninjured and in enough time for me to enjoy them before the winter winds blew me back inside.

Plants and Flowers

Once the urns arrived, I picked up a few more stone planters from a local hardware store and, in progress, chose plants. I don’t exactly have a green thumb, so I asked the staff to point me toward lower-maintenance plants. I used a little English Ivy to decorate a garden lattice against the most prominent wall. I planted French hydrangeas, Rhododendrons, Gardenias, and plenty of flowering shrubs in my urns for privacy. I also added switch ­­grass to fill in the empty spots and gaps and make my patio feel like a total oasis. A beautiful private spot for relaxing and reading my favourite book.

The Result

I now have a place to relax for the few months that the city is going through the intense cold. The urns and plants add a great ambience, while the mini-bar adds hours of fun and relaxation. The big stone garden urns add their green value, and we feel much more relaxed and rejuvenated with fresh air; besides having a small private green area, it’s nice to have a special evening with other friends.

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