Small Space Gardening Thu, 12 Mar 2026 22:38:45 +0000 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 22:38:45 +0000 UBC Botanical Garden Forums https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/small-space-gardening.115/ Sat, 31 May 2025 14:46:55 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/helleborus.51848/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/helleborus.51848/ invalid@example.com (greenapple82) greenapple82 I have a beautiful helleborus. Dark burgandy flowers when i bought it. It has a ton of new folliage but It's lost all of its colour! I still have quite a few new buds coming out, but they are all flowering with no colour, just green. what can I do?]]> 4 Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:21:16 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/dwarf-lilacs.104271/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/dwarf-lilacs.104271/ invalid@example.com (AlainK) AlainK
I bought these two in 2017, and they've always been kept in pots. Now in 20-30 cm pots.

The first one was labelled "Syringa persica". Not so many leaves, but it flowered the first year. It has a very delicate smell; The buds are not opened yet. The photos are 2017, 2019, and 2024 :

View attachment 249840 View attachment 249841 View attachment 249842 ...

Dwarf lilacs]]> 1 Mon, 02 Oct 2023 06:15:42 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/plant-tree-for-shaded-patio-no-direct-sunlight.103710/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/plant-tree-for-shaded-patio-no-direct-sunlight.103710/ invalid@example.com (Ellie de Darde) Ellie de Darde I was wondering whether anyone had a recommendation for plants/trees that would be happy on a north facing patio in Vancouver (kits) with no direct sunlight.
Thank you!]]> 3 Sat, 21 May 2022 19:16:29 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/indoor-plant-shelf.102320/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/indoor-plant-shelf.102320/ invalid@example.com (jessyager) jessyager
Indoor plant shelf]]> 2 Fri, 07 Aug 2020 23:12:23 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/small-garden-now-overplanted.98719/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/small-garden-now-overplanted.98719/ invalid@example.com (mophead) mophead 1 Mon, 03 Aug 2020 14:33:25 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/unhappy-hydrangea.98548/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/unhappy-hydrangea.98548/ invalid@example.com (Alison.b) Alison.b
I’ve given it the miracle grow 12-4-8 fertilizer. As well as compost on top of the soil.

I live in a west facing building in Victoria , so it gets full sun from ~4-8 Pm

Any advice would be very welcome View attachment 184642 View attachment 184643 View attachment 184644]]> 5 Sat, 01 Aug 2020 06:48:09 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/anyone-have-an-idea-of-what-this-is-buried-in-the-ground-cable-sprinker.98577/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/anyone-have-an-idea-of-what-this-is-buried-in-the-ground-cable-sprinker.98577/ invalid@example.com (vbx) vbx
Can't be electrical cable since it's barely 12 inches underground.]]> 6 Tue, 26 May 2020 17:43:27 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/aphids-on-sangria-charm-petunias.97874/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/aphids-on-sangria-charm-petunias.97874/ invalid@example.com (Alison.b) Alison.b
Aphids on sangria charm petunias]]> 7 Sun, 24 May 2020 21:44:28 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/how-to-prune-star-jasmine-in-planters.97941/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/how-to-prune-star-jasmine-in-planters.97941/ invalid@example.com (Tara) Tara Thanks for any thoughts. I will try to attach photo]]> 3 Tue, 19 May 2020 20:31:32 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/first-time-gardener-less-than-ideal-conditions.97898/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/first-time-gardener-less-than-ideal-conditions.97898/ invalid@example.com (steph_p) steph_p
I've been given permission by my landlord to plant a very small garden bed in front of my balcony. I'm brand new to outdoor gardening (I'm not bad at keeping houseplants alive), and I'm facing some pretty rough starting conditions.
- north facing
- under conifers (established root system)
- very small budget
- barely any soil to start with
- deep shade (20 minutes ish of direct sun every day)
- pigeons in the immediate area

So far what I've done is put down some landscaping...

First time gardener - less than ideal conditions]]> 2 Sun, 26 Apr 2020 11:54:05 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/tall-tree-to-plant-in-small-space.95865/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/tall-tree-to-plant-in-small-space.95865/ invalid@example.com (AnnaBell) AnnaBell I have a side yard that is shaded in the morning and full sun in the afternoon. My space is only 45 inches across from fence to Allan block wall. I’m wanting to block the view of my neighbors as they are situated higher than us and look down on our back yard from their kitchen window and deck. I’m wanting it to be 25 feet tall and cigar shaped. Hoping for something that keeps its greenery all year around. Thank you]]> 3 Thu, 04 Jul 2019 06:06:45 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/balcony-inspiration.93511/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/balcony-inspiration.93511/ invalid@example.com (Michela77) Michela77 today I am coming for you, because I am looking for some inspirations how to decorate my balcony..I want to place there a small table, a bench and also a changing chair so I won't have much space for plants..I need some small, maybe changing ones that I can put on my balcony..I was also thinking about creeping strawberries..Do you think it is good idea? What plants would you recommend ?]]> 1 Fri, 31 May 2019 19:35:15 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/smoke-bush-in-a-container.60501/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/smoke-bush-in-a-container.60501/ invalid@example.com (Quincys Slave) Quincys Slave 14 Sun, 18 Nov 2018 03:27:24 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/potted-ginkgo-on-balcony-for-winter.94328/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/potted-ginkgo-on-balcony-for-winter.94328/ invalid@example.com (farcryjj) farcryjj I just bought a Ginkgo Biloba Bonsai size tree in a 8" container without any leaves (in the winter rest). Since I'm living in a condo building, the only cold place for it to rest for the winter is on my balcony. However, the winter in Montreal can be really cold (to -20C) and my balcony will receive lots of snow. My questions are the following:

1. What should I do to protect it if I leave it on the balcony?
2. Is it the cold that will hurt the plant, or the freezing and...

Potted Ginkgo on balcony for winter?]]> 1 Wed, 31 Oct 2018 18:47:15 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/fast-growing-privacy-screen.7489/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/fast-growing-privacy-screen.7489/ invalid@example.com (Lunar) Lunar
I am looking for fast growing solution to get some privacy - up 16' +. I have no trees along that side of the back yard so I am planning to do a combination of deciduous trees, evergreens and shrubs. I'll plant some evergreens that are columnar to grow in over time but in the meantime, I'm looking for...

Fast growing privacy screen]]> 36 Mon, 19 Mar 2018 18:43:21 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/landscape-design.92785/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/landscape-design.92785/ invalid@example.com (Zee) Zee Live on the north shore.
Many thanks
Z]]> 4 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 02:22:26 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/balcony-gardeners-club-on-facebook.46625/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/balcony-gardeners-club-on-facebook.46625/ invalid@example.com (stoneangel) stoneangel
Here's a photo of my fish pond on my balcony. I'll add more later.]]> 10 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 21:47:49 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/latimer-garden-diy.90480/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/latimer-garden-diy.90480/ invalid@example.com (Nimahuya) Nimahuya in near future i plan to make 2 or 3 isolated Latimer Gardens - similar to what Mr. David Latimer did couple years back. (For those who doesnt know what im talking about: google "latimer garden").

So, the thing is i have no knowledge nor experience in biology/botanics (my education in that field ended in high-school) - thats why i decided to ask here for advices. Im sure there's more than enough experts who'll find no problem helping me.

I got few questions:
1. Would it be possible...

Latimer Garden - DIY?]]> 2 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 20:21:11 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/looking-for-large-planters.88257/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/looking-for-large-planters.88257/ invalid@example.com (mvista888) mvista888 7 Sat, 13 Feb 2016 00:21:27 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/how-to-build-a-wooden-planter-boxes.87987/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/how-to-build-a-wooden-planter-boxes.87987/ invalid@example.com (jardinier) jardinier
Diy guide about flower boxes or planter boxes

---> How to build planter boxes]]> Sat, 13 Feb 2016 00:08:51 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/front-yard-garden-without-lawn.87986/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/front-yard-garden-without-lawn.87986/ invalid@example.com (jardinier) jardinier
Why not a front yard garden?

Idea: ---> My front yard garden]]> Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:19:57 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/container-garden.60352/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/container-garden.60352/ invalid@example.com (tgplp) tgplp Thanks!
~tgplp]]> 5 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:59:46 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/small-garden-bed-ideas.56432/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/small-garden-bed-ideas.56432/ invalid@example.com (Nightshade) Nightshade
This is my first post about my first garden experience in my first home! Whew, that's a lot of firsts!
My husband and I purchased our first townhouse this past May and we've been busy taking care of the insides that we have just begun to think of the outsides. My step-mom "Lily" suggested I join this forum to get some ideas and advice.

Here are a few "before" and "after" pictures of what my husband and I managed to do in one hour. We're planning on sifting out some of the...

Small Garden Bed - ideas?]]> 8 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 03:25:00 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/my-apartment-orchard.58656/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/my-apartment-orchard.58656/ invalid@example.com (LobsterMan) LobsterMan Pictured are tangerine tree, limequat, blood orange, plumeria and bird of paradise. White ginger, pomegranate, meyers lemon... small ones on the right are stevia, dwarf guava, pineapple guava, camellia tea plant. Not bad for Portland, OR eh? Thanks in advance all :)]]> 7 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:28:22 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/small-space-gardener-pictures.48340/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/small-space-gardener-pictures.48340/ invalid@example.com (Blake09) Blake09 80