Designed as a way to integrate plants inside a building , an atrium is an open space lit by a skylight . It recall the capable - air atria that serve as the hearts of ancient Greek and Roman base . Determine which works are suitable for your atrium by studying its pattern of light as the days and seasons go , seeing where areas of sunlight and shade occur . Then locate lasting , evergreen planting in the wanton conditions appropriate for them .
Step 1
Areas of an atrium shade by parts of the building or other plants need shade - loving plants . Vary the heights of the plants you select for those region . A tall pick for shade to fond refinement is the dracaena cultivar " Janet Craig Compacta " ( Dracaena deremensis " Janet Craig Compacta " ) , which can farm to a height of 6 to 10 understructure and has stiff , green , leathery leaves that hide its stem . Hardy outdoors all class in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10b and 11a , " Janet Craig Compacta " subdivision from the bottom and forms a thumping of stems . Consider shorter - growing peace lilies ( Spathiphyllum spp . ) for full specter . They range from cultivars such as " Sensation " that can reach 4 feet tall to dwarf plants 12 to 15 column inch tall . " Sensation " has dark - gullible leafage class rung and white , lilylike , long - last flowers in leaping . Peace lilies are hardy in USDA zones 10b through 12 .
Step 2
Sunny Areas
Parts of an atrium that receive a fate of sunlight need plants that tolerate high light levels . Plant options for full sunshine or partial sun admit dame of paradise ( Strelitzia reginae ) . Its large , leathery leaf and showy , long - durable , orange and purple flowers provide a tropical aura . Bird of paradise give 3 to 5 fundament marvellous and is audacious in USDA zones 9 through 11 . If you desire a full - sunlight plant that resembles a miniature thenar Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , then look at the cycad call sago palm ( Cycas revoluta ) . Its stiff , leathery leaves are arrange in a rosette , and finally its trunk forms . Sago medal takes tenner to achieve its full size of10 foot tall and 8 feet broad . It is hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11 .
Step 3
Colorful Foliage
Atrium plants with colorful foliation instead of peak contribute colour all year and do n’t have to be deadheaded . An example is croton ( Codiaeum variegatum ) , which comes in many leaf colors , from greens through yellow , red , pinkish , grim and orange . fond shade is best to grow its leaf semblance . The plant is dauntless in USDA geographical zone 9b through 11 , and some diversity reach 6 feet marvellous . Lower - growing works with brilliant leafage color include some coleus diversity ( Solenostemon scutellarioides cultivars ) , which are hardy in USDA zone 11 . Their leaves are crimson , pink , purple , orangish or lime and combinations of those colors . flame nettle plants are dissipated - raiser that need to be cut back on a regular footing . regenerate the plant from metre to meter by replacing them with rooted cutting .
Colorful Flowers
Keeping bloom plants in containers allows you to use them on a rotational basis for seasonal color . Designate spectacular places in the atrium for showcasing the container plants , either sink their pots into the stain or place them on top of the background . When they go out of bloom , supervene upon them with works that are in bloom . One plant that blooms from winter to spring is kalanchoe ( Kalanchoe blossfeldiana ) , which has pink , chicken , red-faced , lavender and orangish flowers . Its leaves and stem are often almost hidden by its efflorescence . Kalanchoe is dauntless in USDA zone 10 through 11 . Another winter - blooming works is poinsettia ( Euphorbia pulcherrima ) ; its cultivars have red , white , pink , or yellow bloom of youth . Poinsettia is perennial in USDA zone 9 through 11 .
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