I really love how you have trees in pots. I so want to do this but I am reluctant to do so because of the expense. I have commandeered the roommate’s mystery plant which is sort of tree like through. In reality it’s a pot bound shrub missing a great deal of its lower leaves. I cleaned out its dead wood, gave it some good food and soil and it rewarded me with a lovely arching shape, under which I have grouped my a great number of my own potted green kids.

One thing you might want to try with the nursery corner of the balcony: I cram the new plants together into a big empty pots then “artistically” arrange a bit of moss over the top to cover the fact I’ve not actually planted anything yet. This also works well in a pinch if you need instant color for say a party but don’t have time to plant. Some of my best combinations over the years have been the happy accidents which resulted from not thinking too much about what I placing together and discovering the unexpected beauty of a chance encounter.

Don’t worry about the aeonium. Mine are all outside were they get beaten up by rain and hail and they seem to recover soon. They are sturdy, they even survive being regularly eaten by rabbits!