To decorate your balcony until next autumn, choose from these 8 beautiful plants
The balcony is the perfect place for decorative flowers that can be grown on floor (in flower pots), in hanging planters and rail-mounted containers.
Most of the plants grown on balconies are lush, flowering annuals that can thrive in full or partial sunlight/shade.
Below, we suggest 8 beautiful plants that you can cultivate to make your balcony look spectacular until autumn:
1. Dipladenia
A very resilient, ornamental climber, Dipladenia (rocktrumpet) is perfect for cultivating on balconies, where it can be grown on supports or allowed to "dangle". It produces wonderful and colorful blooms from spring through the autumn. This plant loves mild climates and needs to be placed in a brightly-lit spot (but in summer, it must be sheltered from direct sunlight in hot regions). Protect your Dipladenia during the winter months if the temperature drops below 10 degrees C.
2. Geranium
Geraniums can be found gracing many balconies, showing off their flowers in summer. There are several species of geraniums, with blooms ranging in shade from pink, to purple, to white and red.
Suitable for sunny balconies, geraniums need a lot of direct sunlight and can tolerates high summer heat. During winter, they will need sheltering. Water geraniums sparingly only when the top few centimeters of their soil is dry (as geraniums are adapted to tolerate moderate drought conditions).
3. Daisies
Iconic of springtime, daisies blooms from March to October and can be grown in pots on your balcony - you just need to chose the species you prefer.
Daisies require a sunny location, in full sun or partial shade, a temperate climate, mild temperates and shelter from wind. Water regularly during the growth period, reducing this when autumn arrives. Fertilize daisies when the their first buds appear.
4. Zinnia
Hardy, annual plants that bloom all summer long, Zinnias are perfect for livening up a balcony. After sowing, they germinate quickly and prefer sunny places and high temperatures. Do not expose them to wind and protect them from night frosts. Grow them in "groups" so that they can protect each other from adverse conditions more effectively.
Water parsimoniously (to avoid the risk of root rot) and remember to regularly remove wilted/dead flowers.
5. Plumbago
A resilient,ornamental plant with white or blue flowers that are produced abundantly in the summer months, Plumbago can be successfully grown in both direct sunlight and partial shade (although the latter position could reduce the number of flowers produced). Once planted, plumbago needs watering only when drought conditions persist. The fragrant nectar of its flowers attracts butterflies, transforming your balcony into a "meeting place" for these beautiful insects.
6. Begonia
Much beloved for its brightly colored flowers and how easy it is to cultivate, the begonia is also particularly suitable for positioning on your balcony. To esnsure its luxuriant and long-lasting flowers bloom (typically from the beginning of spring to the end of autumn), a begonia requires a lot of watering.
Place your begonia in a sunny spot, but not exposed to direct sunlight (which could damage the delicate flowers).
7. Passionflower
The Passionflower is a climbing plant with flowers that are particularly large and "showy". Place your passionflower in a sunny, bright spot and protect it from the cold during the winter. Water weekly during the warmer months, making sure the soil remains moist at all times.
8. Hibiscus
Finally, another plant with large and spectacular flowers is the hibiscus.This plant produces spectacular flowers from spring until the arrival of the cold of autumn sets in. In warmer climates, hibiscus can be grown outdoors, but it is best to bring it indoors during the winter. Hibiscus prefers bright spots with high temperataures and can be exposed to direct sunlight. The adult hibiscus can withstand long periods of drought and will only need to be watered when its soil has dried out.
Which of these plants will you use to decorate your balcony?
