Slideshow

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  Courtesy of Solow Design Group

  The cascading fountain helps mask traffic noise.

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  Courtesy of Solow Design Group

  Pots made of lightweight fiberglass that look like ceramic on a condo terrace.

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  Todd Sumlin, tsumlin@charlotteobserver.com

  Denise Lindsay and her husband Hal relax on their terrace at the Metropolitan complex with their dogs.

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  Todd Sumlin, tsumlin@charlotteobserver.com

  Denise Lindsay and her husband Hal on their terrace.

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  Todd Sumlin, tsumlin@charlotteobserver.com

  The Lindsays' terrace.

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  Todd Sumlin, tsumlin@charlotteobserver.com

  Barb Branch and her condo terrace in Eastover, which includes a five-foot sculpture of a phoenix.

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  Todd Sumlin, tsumlin@charlotteobserver.com

  Barb Branch goes out to her condo terrace.

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  Todd Sumlin, tsumlin@charlotteobserver.com

  Barb Branch with her phoenix sculpture on her terrace.

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  Todd Sumlin, tsumlin@charlotteobserver.com

  Herbs from Barb Branch's planters.

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  Courtesy of Solow Design Group

  A full view of the Lindsays' terrace.

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  Courtesy of Solow Design Group

  An area for outdoor cooking and dining.

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  Courtesy of Solow Design Group

  A patch of surprisingly real-looking artificial turf.

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  Courtesy of Solow Design Group

  The sectional sofa is upholstered in all-weather fabric.

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  Courtesy of Solow Design Group

  The view from the terrace of the Lindsay home at the Metropolitan condo complex.

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Denise Lindsay is a gardener at heart. When she and husband, Hal, downsized from their three-story Eastover home to a condo near uptown, she still wanted to look out the window and see something green. So with help from a landscape design firm, the Lindsays have created a hip, urban garden – built on a bed of concrete.

“It’s great for entertaining,” Denise says, looking out the glass door onto her 2,000-square-foot terrace. “In summertime this door stays open, so this is basically an extension of the living room.”

As more empty-nesters opt for condos, and more young couples and singles choose uptown living, they’re learning to get the most out of terrace gardens. And they’re learning it’s possible to have fountains, shrubs, cooking herbs and grassy spots for pets right alongside their skyline view.

The Lindsays moved from a home with a pool. So they asked Rick Solow of Solow Design Group for a cascading fountain, which gives a stylized splash of water while masking city noises at their condo at the Metropolitan complex. Solow also designed areas for outdoor seating, cooking, dining – even a patch of surprisingly real-looking artificial turf. This 12-by-18-foot “lawn” was originally intended for the Lindsay’s three dogs. But it looked so good once installed that they now take the dogs downstairs for street-level relief instead.

Great for people-watching

The first thing to think about when planning a terrace garden, Solow says, is how you want to use the space. For Denise, a potter, and Hal, a businessman, entertaining was their top priority. But they had to solve the problem of the terrace’s sloping concrete floor, which was practical for drainage but not for parties. They chose an elevated floor made of pavers on pedestals that allow water to drain through to existing catch basins below, while creating a level surface above.

Weight restrictions are an important factor when planning terrace gardens. Thirty large pots made of lightweight fiberglass that looks like ceramic hold plants including ornamental grasses, dwarf butterfly bush and black bamboo. The pots, along with three planters, provide screening from neighbors and define separate spaces for a bar, dining table and outdoor living room complete with sectional sofa in all-weather fabric. Jeff Triece, formerly of Urban Landscape Design and now owner of Elegant Space Design, installed the Lindsays’ plants. Celtic Masonry did the masonry work and installed the floor pavers.

Four fuchsia pots on the Lindsay’s terrace echo the modern décor and sofa color in their living room. Gray outdoor pavers complement the concrete flooring inside. Solow chose plants with high tolerance for heat and wind, both of which are magnified on a terrace. He also designed the space to maximize views of the uptown skyline, Little Sugar Creek Greenway and a nearby pavilion where bands play during warm weather. “We can stand at the railing and listen to music and people-watch,” Denise says.

Smaller space, different priorities

Barbara and Twig Branch had a smaller space than the Lindsays and different priorities when planning their terrace at Fenton Place Condominiums in Eastover. Instead of maximizing a skyline view, they wanted to draw the eye away from transformers on a power pole outside their back door. Barbara also wanted an herb garden and greenery that were easy to maintain.

“Year-round, I just can’t cook without fresh herbs,” she said. But Barbara, a homemaker, and Twig, a retired insurance executive, didn’t want to worry about plants needing water when they were on vacation. And their condo association rules don’t allow irrigation systems. So Jared Sweet of The Royal Gardens designed a plan that included two concrete planters and two large terra-cotta pots filled with a mix of soil and moisture-retaining crystals. The planters hold rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley, oregano and pansies. The pots, lined with plastic for extra help with moisture, are filled with juniper and sedum. “The juniper never needs watering,” Barbara says. She says she rarely has to water the herbs either.

To focus attention on the terrace instead of the electrical transformers beyond, the Branches put a five-foot iron sculpture of a phoenix near the center of the 210-square-foot space. With wings outstretched and beak open, the bird is the first thing you notice when stepping outside from their Asian-influenced living room.

The sculpture is by Pittsburgh artist William Wessel. It stands behind a small glass-top table and two wrought-iron chairs where the Branches like to enjoy a glass of wine on spring evenings. “We realized we can’t really hide the ugly parts,” Barbara said of the backyard transformers. But with a little ingenuity, Sweet and the Branches have created a space that’s both functional and appealing to the eye.

Attention gardeners

The Southern Spring Home & Garden Show, held March 2-6 at The Park Expo and Conference Center (formerly the Merchandise Mart), features several speakers with advice helpful to condo terrace gardeners:

“Fabulous Patio and Balcony Gardening Tips,” noon March 5-6 on Garden Stage; 2:30 p.m. March 6 on Home Ideas Stage. Speaker: Bill Slack, expert on container gardening for small spaces and gardening specialist for Southern Living Magazine.

“Focus on ‘Green’ and Bring Nature to Life,” 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. March 6 on Home Ideas Stage. Speaker: Michele Beschen, host of public television’s “b.organic” series and an organic plant guru with an eye for creating fresh, eco-friendly, back-to-basics looks for large and small gardens.

“Ultimate Flower Gardener,” 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 2 on Garden Stage. Speaker: Kerry Mendez, garden designer, author of “The Ultimate Flower Gardener’s Top 10 Lists” and owner of New York-based “Perennially Yours” gives tips on solving gardening dilemmas.

For more information: The Park Expo is at 2500 E. Independence Blvd. www.southernspringhomeandgardenshow.com.