Arrangement of East balconies and terraces with permanent floral compositions (II)

Transcription

1 Volume 18(2), 23-30, 2014 JOURNAL of Horticulture, Forestry and Biotechnology Arrangement of East balconies and terraces with permanent floral compositions (II) Buta Erzsebet 1, Buta M 1., Horţ Denisa 1, Dan V.-S. 1, Cantor Maria 1* 1 University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, Romania *Corresponding author: marcantor@yahoo.com Abstract - Although over time, tastes and demands to decorative plants and their layout changed like fashion clothing, growers from countries with tradition in floriculture have always remembered some dedicated species for pots and containers, for patios and balconies. The biggest advantage of small flowering or dendrological plants for terraces and balconies, lies in their ability to bring nature into the urban landscape, which is usually very limited. In this paper it is proposed a permanent arrangement of a 10 m 2 terrace on Eastern side, using flower species compositions suitable for this orientation and seasonal specific alternatives. In this work it was done also an economic calculation of the setting up cost for these planters. Key words: dendro-flowering species, semi-shade, containers A pleasant floral composition involves a combination of three elements container, plant and location in such a way that the visual impact would be combined with favorable conditions for growing plants [8]. In order to achieve a harmonious design, the designer should plan carefully every detail [2, 6]. Grouping species in a permanent composition can be made according to their color and range of species. Assembly according to the color of compositions may include: monochrome, analogous, contrasting and polychrome combinations [5]. When planting species, is recommended to be careful at the colors and shades through which the whole composition will be highlighted. On a dark background, bright and colorful plants will be added, and in a pale area, intense color will be used. The need of contrast is always applied in the relationship between the plant and its environment and not between plant and its container [1, 7, 9]. In order to obtain a specific atmosphere, using of contemporaneous elements should be considered, along with the assortment of new varieties, and the use the of the exterior design aspects [6]. The landscape although created with the addition of mentioned elements, along with structures embedded in the composition should give the impression of a natural one, with an almost un-noticeable human intervention [3, 4]. Fig. 1. Shady balcony ant terrace decorated with ornamental plants Photo source: [10, 11] This paper makes several recommendations for assembling permanent flower compositions used to decorate East oriented balconies and terraces in a judicious, modest and low cost manner. It also suggests practical ideas which fit for the Eastern exposure of a 10 m 2 terrace. For each different alternative was estimated a cost calculation. 23

2 Material and Method For every season have been developed two proposals, for which have been estimated the costs for plants and technical materials. To decorate the 10 m 2 terrace has been used eight plastic planters. Planters had the following dimensions: length 1 m, width 20 cm and depth 20 cm. Renders were performed using Realtime Landscaping Architect 2 software. For the Eastern terrace arrangement were used annual, biennial and perennial flower species which are suitable for that exposure and are shade tolerant. It was also accounted the species requirements for climatic conditions and maintenance needs. Planning proposals a. Vernal arrangement 1 st proposal In this proposal were associated the following species: Anemone coronaria with pink flowers, Dryopteris affinis with green leaves and also Vinca minor and Lysimachia nummularia (Fig. 2). The necessary for plants and material for the 1 st proposal is shown in Table 1. Costs for setting up a planter stands at 62 lei for this arrangement. Total cost for all eight containers amounts to 496 lei. Fig. 2. Vernal arrangement 1 st proposal Table 1 Dendrological and flowering species necessary and technical materials for one container 1 st vernal proposal 1. Anemone coronaria St. Brigid 7, ,00 2. Dryopteris affinis 7,00 1 7,00 3. Vinca minor Variegata 2,00 2 4,00 4. Lysimachia nummularia 3,00 2 6,00 Total cost amount for plants = 31,00 (pcs., l) 1. Containers 5,00 1 5,00 2. Peat substrate 6, ,00 Total = 31,00 Total price / container = 62,00 2 nd proposal The second proposal will be used as hemicriptophyte perennial flower species: Heuchera x brizoides Montrose Ruby with purple leaves, Alchemilla mollis Auslese decorative by its green leaves and yellow flowers, and white flowered Primula japonica (Fig. 3). The plants and materials necessary for the 2 nd proposal is presented in Table 2. Costs for setting up a planter stands at 71 lei for this arrangement. Total cost for all eight containers amounts to 568 lei, if using this combination of species. 24

3 Fig. 3. Vernal arrangement 2 nd proposal Table 2 Dendrologic and flower species necessary and technical materials for one container 2 nd vernal proposal 1. Heuchera x brizoides Montrose Ruby 8, ,00 2. Alchemilla mollis Auslese 5,00 1 5,00 3. Primula japonica 5, ,00 Total cost amount for plants = 41,00 (pcs., l) 1. Planters 5,00 1 5,00 2. Peat substrate 6, ,00 Total = 31,00 Total price / container = 71,00 b. Summer arrangement 1 st proposal In this arrangement there will be used flower species combined with dendrologic ones. Composition will include the following species: Hedera helix, Buxus sempervirens and Fuchsia hybrida Lisa. The vernal dendrologic species used previously were also used, so this combination has more only Fuchsias (Fig. 4). The necessary for plants and material for the 1 st proposal is shown in Table 3. Costs for setting up a planter stands at 51 lei for this arrangement. Total cost for all eight containers amounts to 408 lei if using this combination of species. Fig. 4. Summer arrangement 1 st proposal 25

4 Table 3 Dendrologic and flower species necessary and technical materials for one container 1 st summer proposal 1. Fuchsia hybrida Lisa 25, ,00 Total cost amount for plants = 25,00 Total price / container = 51,00 2 nd proposal In this composition were used two pieces of Fuchsia hybrida Annabell. These will combine also with Dryopteris affinis and Caladium x hortulanum (Fig. 5). The plants and materials necessary for the 2 nd proposal is presented in Table 4. Costs for setting up a planter stands at 74 lei for this arrangement. Total cost for all eight containers amounts to 592 lei, if using this combination of plants. Fig. 5. Summer proposal 2 nd proposal Table 4 Dendrologic and flower species necessary and technical materials for a planter 2 nd summer proposal 1. Fuchsia hybrida Annabell 10, ,00 2. Dryopteris affinis 12, ,00 3. Caladium x hortulanum 8, ,00 Total cost amount for plants = 48,00 Total price / planter = 74,00 c. Autumn arrangement 1 st proposal For the Eastern terrace there were made two proposals that include leaves decorative plants, both annual and perennial species. The first composition intended for the Eastern terrace, is proposing a combination of the following species: Heuchera x brizoides Montrose Ruby with purple leaves, Hedera helix Variegata with green foliage and white and Kochia scoparia with summer green foliage which turns purple in autumn (Fig. 6.). The necessary for plants and material for the 1 st proposal is shown in Table 5. Costs for setting up a container stands at 31 lei for this arrangement. Total 26

5 cost for all eight containers amounts to 246 lei, if using this combination of species. Costs are much lower, because Heuchera x brizoides Montrose Ruby and Hedera helix Variegata were already used in the vernal arrangement. Fig. 6. Autumn arrangement 1 st proposal Table 5 Dendrologic and flower species necessary and technical materials for one container 1 st autumn proposal 1. Kochia scoparia 5,00 1 5,00 Total cost amount for plants = 5,00 Total price / planter = 31,00 2 nd proposal In this proposal there were used species decorative by evergreen leaves: Hosta Banana Boat with variegated leaves, Athyrium sp. Pictum with veins colored gray and purple and Bergenia crassifolia with green leaves (Fig. 7). The plants and materials necessary for the 2 nd proposal are presented in Table 6. Costs for setting up a container stands at 89 lei for this arrangement. Total cost for all eight containers amounts to 712 lei, if using this combination of plants. Fig. 7. Autumn arrangement 2 nd proposal 27

6 Tabel 6 Dendrologic and flower species necessary and technical materials for one container 2 nd autumn proposal 1. Hosta Banana Boat 15, ,00 2. Athyrium Pictum 17, ,00 3. Bergenia crassifolia 8, ,00 Total cost amount for plants = 63,00 Total price / container = 89,00 d. Winter arrangement The evergreen compositions for winter season were identical for both Southern and Eastern expositions. The terrace will be arranged during winter time with dendrologic perennial species that will thrive the specific temperatures of Transylvania. If the season is very cold, containers can be protected to confer frost resistance (mulching and different protecting fleece). Also the tray under the planters will be removed to avoid excessive wetting of the substrate [5, 8]. 1 st proposal It consists in the use of dendrologic species such as Hedera helix, Calluna vulgaris Silver Queen (lilac and white) and an ornamental vegetable: Brassica oleracea var. acephala (Fig. 8). The necessary for plants and material for the 1 st proposal is shown in Table 7. Costs for setting up a container stands at 46 lei for this arrangement. Total cost for all eight containers amounts to 276 lei, if using this combination of species. Fig. 8. Winter arrangement 1 st proposal Table 7 Dendrologic and flower species necessary and technical materials for a planter 1 st winter proposal 1. Hedera helix 3,00 2 6,00 2. Calluna vulgaris Silver Queen 7, ,00 Total cost amount for plants = 20,00 Total price / planter = 46,00 2 nd proposal This proposal is intended to be a monoculture, using two varieties from one ornamental species: Brassica oleracea var. acephala White Peacock and Redbor (Fig. 9). The plants and materials necessary for the 2 nd proposal are presented in Table 8. Costs for setting up a 28

7 container stands at 46 lei for this arrangement. Total cost for all eight containers amounts to 276 lei, if using this combination of plants. Fig. 9. Winter arrangement 2 nd proposal Tabel 8 Dendrologic and flower species necessary and technical materials for one container 2 nd winter proposal 1. Brassica oleracea var. acephala White Peacock 5, ,00 2. Brassica oleracea var. acephala Redbor 5, ,00 Total cost amount for plants = 20,00 1. Peat substrate ,00 Total price / container = 46,00 Conclusions and recommendations Making its assessment, the following conclusions can occur: Planning proposals are made for four seasons (vernal, summer, autumnal and hibernal). For Eastern terrace arrangement the option was to use annual flower species seasonal, combined with a few dendrological species. These ones decorate a long period of the year, both by leaves and flowers. Regarding the vernal arrangement proposal, the most affordable value (62 lei) is the first one, consisting of Anemone coronaria, Dryopteris affinis, Vinca minor and Lysimachia nummularia. The most economical summer proposal is the first one, which includes Fuchsia hybrida Annabell Dryopteris affinis and Caladium x hortulanum. The cost of this composition is 74 lei. The lowest priced autumnal composition (31 lei) is the first one, consisting of: Heuchera x brizoides Montrose Ruby, Hedera helix Variegata and Kochia scoparia. Its costs are reduced because the first two species were previously used in the vernal arrangement. Containers arrangement for winter season decoration was realized with a low cost (46 lei), because the fact that most of the plants have been used in previous proposals. Permanent (evergreen) plant composition was identical for the two exhibitions (Southern and Eastern). It is noted that, for the external placement of the containers with ornamental species during the winter, the trays should be removed, in order to avoid frost condensation in the substrate. A special care should be taken regarding the flower and dendrological plants combination, depending on the site s exposition and species requirements to climatic factors. 4-seasonal container arrangements can be economical especially if there is an option for species decorating a long period of time. Besides this, some of the varieties may be replaced depending on the season, which brings a greater diversity in the decorated area. References 1.Băla Maria, Floriculture general and special, Ed. Partos, Timişoara. 2.Cantor Maria, 2003, Floricultură generală şi specială, Ed. Risoprint, Cluj-Napoca. 29

8 3.Clarke E. R., 1992, Container gardening, Ed. Harpers Collins, England. 4.Cox M., 2011, Grow plants in pots, Ed. DK, England. 5.Halina Heitz, 1991, Balkon und Kübelpflanzen, Gräfe und Unzer GmbH, München. 6.Hessayon D. G., 1995, Expert în vase cu flori, Ed. Bic All. Online library. 7.Karlheinz J., 1993, Kerteszkedes balkonon es teraszon, 1993, Ed. Mezogazda Budapest. 8.McAffer Susan, 1993, Designing the Contained Garden, Anaya Publishers, London. 9.Toma Florin, 2009, Floricultură şi artă florală, Ed. Invel Multimedia Bucureşti