Flower columns in a corner as an eye-catcher, whether on the balcony, the terrace or in the living room or a corner in the stairwell, have become increasingly popular recently. The columns vary from “showcasing a single specimen plant” to a floral variety. The good thing is that all plants and flowers are suitable for planting in one of the different variants of flower columns and only have to be suitable for the desired location.
Various variants
Flower columns are very diverse. There are therefore many different models available in stores made from a wide variety of materials. There are columns that only house a single plant as a solitary plant in the upper area, as well as columns, often referred to as flower towers, which can be cultivated from top to bottom with plants of the same variety but also with different plants. Flower columns can be purchased commercially, but there are no limits to your own creativity and so hobby gardeners can design their very own flower columns with different pots and a stick in the middle and showcase them in the garden, house, terrace or balcony. The following variants of the flower columns could be chosen as eye-catchers:
- Columns for solitary plants made of marble, ceramic, iron, or gabions for the garden
- Wooden columns, on the other hand, should only be chosen for indoor use due to weathering reasons
- so-called flower towers made of iron, which offer many planting holes all around
- own creations where there are no limits to creativity
- Flower pots can be hung all around on a central iron rod
- Anything that can be put together in a spiral staircase style is suitable for building your own flower column
Tip:
If different flower columns of different sizes are grouped together in a corner, then either the same plants can be cultivated in each column or different plants and flowers can be cultivated together. There are no limits to the creativity of the hobby gardener.
Flower columns for solitary plants
If individual plants are to be beautifully showcased, then flower columns for solitary plants are suitable. Any plant can be cultivated, but their appearance is not always suitable. These flower columns include large, towering, hanging or climbing flowers and plants. The location is also crucial, because evergreen houseplants are only suitable for living rooms or a winter garden, while blooming garden flowers belong outside, especially in summer. Before planting, the location should be determined because some flowers need full sunlight, others prefer partial shade or even shade. If the location is chosen both indoors and outdoors, the flowers or green plants that can be cultivated here are selected accordingly. For example, the following solitary plants can be chosen for the flower columns:
Plants suitable for indoor cultivation:
- various types of ivy
- all evergreen houseplants such as Dieffenbachia, ornamental grasses, ferns
- Plants that overhang and spread a large volume are therefore ideal
- Plants that grow vertically, however, do not present such a beautiful picture
- plants that are suitable for cultivation in the garden, on the terrace or balcony:
- hanging geraniums in all colors
- blue fan flower
- Fuchsias
- Lavender
- All flowers that are also sold in hanging baskets in stores are suitable here
Tip:
If you place the selected plants and flowers in pots at the top of the column, they can be quickly replaced. This means you can choose the early-blooming flowers in spring, which after they have faded can easily be replaced with the pot for later-blooming summer or fall bloomers.
Flower columns as a tower
The flower columns, which offer many planting holes all around and can therefore be planted with a true display of flowers, are becoming increasingly popular in urban parks and also in home gardens. Once the flowering plants have grown, they offer a variety of colors and the flower column itself, which usually consists of an iron pipe, is no longer visible. The hobby gardener can quickly make these or other designed flower columns themselves if they have a little craftsmanship. These columns can be planted with many different types of flowers and plants, mixed colorfully and wildly depending on your taste, different flowers in the same color or even just one type of flower. The following plants and flowers can be chosen here:
- hardy ivy
- hardy grasses
- annual flowering plants
- hardy perennials
- all garden flowers are suitable for the flower columns
- straight growing plants with long shoots are particularly suitable
- In this way, the actual column can no longer be seen after a short time
- In autumn, heather can also be planted in places where the annual summer flowers have already bloomed
- Planting with spring bloomers such as tulips, daffodils or crocuses can be started in spring
- However, the bulbs must be removed after flowering before annual summer bloomers are used
Tip:
Ideally, annual or winter-hardy varieties are chosen for cultivation on the balcony, terrace or in the garden, because it will be difficult to spend a flower column hardy. Especially if the flowers and plants cultivated here are hardy to not hardy at all, but are still perennial. If you choose winter-hardy or annual plants for your flower tower, you can leave it outside over the winter without any further measures.
Flower columns as vegetable garden beds
If you don't have a garden and therefore a bed for vegetable plants, you can also cultivate them on the balcony or terrace. If space is limited here, various plants can also be cultivated in a flower tower. So you can definitely expect a small harvest of home-grown vegetables. The following plants are suitable for cultivation:
- all herbs, the flower column can be converted into a herb column
- not only is it tasty, it also gives off a pleasant scent that is reminiscent of the Mediterranean countries
- Strawberries also find a place in a flower tower
- The main advantage here is that they are not infested by snails
- Potatoes can also be cultivated, depending on the variety
- If you like it colorful and still want to grow vegetables, choose different types of cabbage
- Everything that grows above ground and doesn't get too high can be inserted into the small planting holes
Tip:
More space for the individual plants is usually provided by a self-made tower, in which several pots are attached to a vertical iron rod from top to bottom. However, this requires not only a green thumb from the hobby gardener but also a little technical skill.
Conclusion
Flower columns in the garden, on the balcony or terrace can be used for all sorts of purposes. Either they offer a great eye-catcher with bright summer flowers in the meadow, next to a seat in the garden or along the paths. Or you can impress with decorative houseplants in a corner of the apartment. Especially when there is not so much space, such as on a small balcony or terrace, the variety of colors can be increased with a flower column. But the towers are also suitable for growing various types of herbs, strawberries, potatoes or other vegetables if there is no garden and the balcony or terrace does not offer much space.
