Balcony and Rooftop Gardening

A rooftop patio space offers soothing respite.

• Pea gravel is an interesting alternative to hard-surface flooring. It provides a softer floor for feet and offers excellent drainage, too.
• Built-in brick planters create a textural counterpoint to the poured concrete walls.
• In tall spaces such as rooftops, trees are essential for shade and privacy.
• Select sturdy outdoor furniture that can hold up to high winds and other tough weather.
• A soft groundcover shields the ground around the container-planted trees.

• Discover top plants for rooftop gardens.

A small balcony provides a just-right open-air hideout.

• There are a host of all-weather rugs that are beautiful and heavy-duty. This one picks up on the neutral palette in the cushions.
• In place of built-ins, furniture placement orients the view on this balcony.
• Dwarf tree and shrub varieties are top picks for balconies; they offer contained growth while softening the edges of a landscape.
• Another good option for balconies: moveable benches, which provide both extra seating and table surface.
• To stash outdoor accessories in the off-season, a coffee table opens up for storage.

Plants and water add beauty to this rooftop space.

• A narrow, raised water garden provides a textural and visual contrast to plant and hardscape elements.
• In place of additional containers, a raised bed elevates a pretty collection of flowers.
• A fire pit -- either gas or wood -- is a welcome element on a balcony. It should be constructed and built out of materials that meet local fire codes.
• Colored gravel delivers a subtle (and soft) accent underfoot.
• Containers are a good option for rooftops: They're moveable, can be planted with annuals or perennials, and come in a variety of sizes and materials.

• Discover more pictures of water gardens.

A pretty city scene acts as backdrop to a slim dining area.

• This rooftop oasis is divided into two sections -- one, a sheltered sunroom and the other a rooftop dining space. Get the look with an artful use of furnishings or other room accents, such as rugs.
• Break up large expanses of boring walls with outdoor-friendly ornaments, such as this large metal star.
• Electrical wiring is a welcome addition to rooftops or balconies; here, wall-mounted lights offer safety and ambiance.
• Out of sight when the sun is welcome and warming, a retractable shade provides relief when rooftop rays shine too strong.
• A collection of easy-care ferns in containers provides a dose of greenery.

Simple is often better, as demonstrated by these rooftop material and plant choices.

• Clever plantings can offer a welcome barrier in rooftop spaces. Here, a long container planted with vigorous bamboo shields the view.
• In place of an ordinary wood wall, glass blocks deftly allow in sunlight while providing a visual screen.
• Hardworking evergreens supply unusual ornamentation and year-round structure.
• Flowers get plenty of acclaim in the landscape, but varying foliage can provide plentiful visual interest, too.
• Depending on style inclinations, wood can be left to weather a soft gray or refinished regularly to maintain a rich color.

Planters work wonders to soften the sweeping balcony space.

• A subtle change in material -- large, regular pavers merge into a soft border of river rock -- keeps a large expanse of flooring from looking boring.
• A series of planters in various sizes defines the edges of the balcony.
• Benches (and high metal and wire railing) offer a safe perch for enjoying the view.
• A trellis delineates a separate dining space on the rooftop.
• Use a variety of plant types -- dwarf trees, shrubs, a few perennials and annuals -- to draw the eye around, up, and through a balcony space.

An array of hardscape elements supplies interesting spots to enjoy the view.

• A subtle shift in grade -- one step up -- defines relaxing and gathering spaces from the dining area.
• On rooftops, providing relief from direct sun can be key to comfort. Try a pergola to shield a patio set.
• Rambling vines add subtle color shifts to the trellised sides of the pergola.
• A collection of rocks and boulders provides another option to increase visual variety.
• Wiring a balcony or rooftop for electricity should be part of any design plans; outlets here are hidden on the grade step-up.

Water and containers dress up a rooftop area.

• On a balcony or rooftop, a water feature can help to quiet surrounding urban sounds and create a focal point.
• Containers -- even for large trailing vines -- offer an alternative if it's too difficult (or budget restrictive) to bring large quantities of soil to the rooftop.
• Depending on style and visual preference, a variety of materials can be used as a trellis. Here, wire offers a lighter, more airy structure.
• A combination of built-in benches and portable chairs increases the flexibility of seating arrangements.
• Container plants and shrubs work in tandem with the trellis to screen the view.

• See more pictures of water gardens.

Restrained materials and plants furnish a sliver of space with graceful style.

• A uniform selection of plants can create a contemporary-style space. Here, a solid row of evergreen shrubs provides a stunning minimalist border.
• A mixed bag of rail materials offers visual interest, too, such as the metal railing paired with a raised wood bed.
• A subtle border of river rock defines the edge of the square paving.
• Planted with dynamic grasses and colorful flowers, a few moveable containers add pops of color and structure.
• Fabric and furnishings reinforce the design choices in a balcony. Here, teak chaise lounges and sage green pillows maintain the clean-line aesthetic.

Plants and a pergola contribute to a lively rooftop.

• Plants and hardscape elements can define areas of a rooftop that are more or less exposed. Here, a pergola and plants shield the space from overhead and one side.
• A trellis marks a shift in outdoor spaces, from seating to dining to relaxing.
• The space between two columns of a pergola offers a natural nook for a bench.
• Wood (used as flooring) was also used in planters to create a cohesive look.
• A collection of plants in containers dramatically increases the "plantable" area of a rooftop space.