Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

NE facing wall on a balcony

salgeorge9salgeorge9 Posts: 4
in Problem solving
I would like to grow a climber in a pot against a wall on my 4th floor balcony which gets the full effect when the wind blows from NE. It receives early morning sun only. Runner beans did well until the first gale from NE! Any suggestions please?

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think that could be quite tricky if you can't provide protection from the wind.  :)
    Most climbers need quite sizeable containers to thrive too, which might limit your options. Whereabouts you are in the country is also a factor.
    Some of the smaller clematis which can be pot grown, might suit you. You'll need to have an obelisk or similar support for it too. 
    Check out Taylor's Clematis, Thorncroft and Hawthornes and look at the alpinas and macropetalas etc. They don't require so much watering either, although in a container they'll still need the correct soil and regular watering. Wind is very drying.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • salgeorge9salgeorge9 Posts: 4
    I am on the coast south of Bristol so generally on the milder side. I have one of the low growing clematis which has been brilliant but it is a bit out of the wind firing line! The bit of brick wall seemed an ideal location for the runner beans until I experienced the first storm in early summer and realised the damage it could do. One of the honeysuckles seems to be a possibility but I’m not sure about growing it in a pot. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Honeysuckles are rarely successful even in quite a large pot and an unhappy honeysuckle is a miserable looking thing. 

    Is there any way you can provide a bit of wind protection … perhaps with some netting?   

    I’m wondering whether this might be a spot for a golden hop … it’ll need a large container and plenty of water, and it’ll die down in the winter … but I presume you don’t use your balcony a lot in the winter?  



    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • salgeorge9salgeorge9 Posts: 4
    Protection is not really practical. Although we won’t sit out in winter we do go outside and so enjoy seeing something growing (have planters all along the rails but it just seems a shame to not take advantage of the only spare bit of brickwork) but I am beginning to think I shall have to amend my thinking and just have a lower growing shrub which will cope with wind. Shame about the honeysuckle but appreciate the advice. 
  • PianoplayerPianoplayer Posts: 624
    Hi - there are dwarf/bushy honeysuckles like this:
    https://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/lonicera-periclymenum-strawberries-and-cream/classid.2000023628/

    Honeysuckles are deciduous as well of course. Are you looking for something evergreen?
  • salgeorge9salgeorge9 Posts: 4
    Evergreen would be the icing on the cake but I am lowering my expectations now! But thanks for the tip - I’ll check it out. 
Sign In or Register to comment.