The presence of green corners in the world of restaurants is becoming increasingly important. Green is in fashion, and from kitchens to restaurant terraces, plants occupy an increasingly relevant place every day. They allow spices and condiments to be available in the kitchen, create more welcoming entrances, and make terraces more intimate and secluded from vehicle and pedestrian traffic areas.
Pots with perennial or seasonal plants are extremely versatile. However, for some plants growing in a pot can be difficult, so you must choose the right species and carry out regular maintenance to ensure good vegetative condition.
Below we will highlight the characteristics that a plant must have to thrive in these conditions and some interesting examples of container gardening in the restaurant sector.
To achieve a good result, it is advisable to choose plants with low water requirements, since pots have limited substrate that dries out very quickly in summer. Nowadays solutions such as installing drip irrigation or hydro-planters are infrequent options for owners in aesthetic terms, so it is better to provide resistant plants in these situations.
It is also advisable to use plants with low nutrient requirements so as not to have to apply fertilizer regularly in hard-to-reach places.
If we are also talking about outdoor plants in urban areas, such as terraces on avenues and streets, it is advisable to choose species with a certain resistance to environmental pollution, since they will be highly exposed to these conditions.
Regarding planting, it is important to have good drainage at the base of the pot to avoid possible water accumulations generated by abundant watering that could rot the plant’s roots, especially in those species with lower water requirements.
Species widely used for these purposes are aromatics; in the photos we see creeping rosemary and some lavenders, but there are also other interesting species such as Stipa tenuissima and in cases of waterfront locations Teucrium fruticans ‘Azureum’ which together with other small plants resistant to sea breeze, are spreading as an interesting option.
In the next post we will see other Sala Graupera species that adapt well to the conditions and requirements of these situations.
Imágenes: M. Galante