Príncipe Real Balcony Series
Príncipe Real, Lisbon · 2025
A top-floor apartment had three thin balconies used for storage. The owner travelled often and wanted greenery, herbs, and citrus that could look after itself between trips.
The challenge
Weight and depth were tightly limited, and nothing could survive weeks of neglect without irrigation. The three balconies faced different aspects.
Our approach
We matched a container palette to each aspect, built raised planters sized to the load, and ran a timed drip system off the outdoor tap so the whole series waters itself.
The outcome
A green outlook from every room, herbs and citrus within reach of the kitchen, and planting that holds while the owner is away for weeks.
How we built it
Four phases, priced up front.
Every phase was scoped in the estimate before we broke ground, so the owner always knew what came next and what it cost.
- 1
Site assessment
Load check, aspect study, and a written estimate before design.
- Balcony load and depth limits confirmed
- Aspect and sun study for each balcony
- Itemised estimate agreed up front
- 2
Design
Per-aspect container palette and irrigation routing.
- Container palette matched to each aspect
- Raised-planter sizes set to the load limit
- Drip routing planned off the outdoor tap
- 3
Build
Lightweight planters set and the drip system run.
- Lightweight raised planters installed
- Timed drip system run to every planter
- Trellis fixed for climbing screens
- 4
Planting & handover
Herbs, citrus, and screening planted, then timed and handed over.
- Citrus, herbs, and climbers planted
- Irrigation timer set for travel gaps
- Simple care card handed over
Planting palette
Chosen for the site's light, soil, and exposure — built to hold its form on minimal water.
- Citrus × limon (dwarf lemon)
- Salvia rosmarinus (rosemary)
- Thymus vulgaris (thyme)
- Trachelospermum jasminoides (star jasmine)
- Pelargonium (scented geranium)
Materials & structure
The hard landscape that carries the planting and the years of use ahead.
- Lightweight fibre planters
- Timed drip irrigation
- Powder-coated trellis
- Peat-free container mix
- 22
- m² transformed
- 3
- balconies linked
- 4
- weeks on site
Want a garden like Príncipe's?
Book a site visit and we'll price your property the same way — a fixed, itemised estimate before any design work begins.
Site visits across Lisbon and the coast. Written estimate within five working days.