Manchester, NE-facing balcony garden

Thomas Gardener · March 2014

Hello all

Please can you kindly recommend to me some appropriate plant varieties, given the following information.

I rent a flat in Manchester with a north-east facing balcony on which I would like to have a container garden. I do not wish to grow fruit or vegetables. Flowers, climbers (affixed to string or a free-standing trellis) and trailing plants would be ideal.

It's a good sized balcony: 4ft x 10ft. There's a 4ft high railing which prevents a lot of light getting onto the balcony floor, so any containers on the floor would have to have plants tolerant to partial shade. Other than that, I am looking at buying some window boxes to fix to the railings, in which I could grow plants which are less hardy.

In terms of hours of direct sunlight, unfortunately I was unable to make any observations during the winter as I left for work before sunrise. At the moment I can see that the balcony has had at least two hours of direct sunlight today. It gets indirect sunlight all day long -- it is completely exposed.

In terms of rainfall... well, it's Manchester.

Last, as this is a rented flat, I do not want to spend a huge amount of money. Just something to make the balcony nice and have somewhere pleasant to sit/look out onto over the remainder of my tenancy.

Thanks for any help! I look forward to getting started.

Dovefromabove · March 2014

A couple of clematis in good sized containers could grow up the railings and look very pretty, or they could climb up some canes or an obelisk, or one of the twiggy wigwams you can buy at the garden centres or even at Wilkinsons etc.

There are quite a few clematis that are perfectly happy in a shady spot - have a look here http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/clematis-will-tolerate-shade/ - just remember to check the size that they'll grow to - montanas will be much too big, but viticellas will probably be just right for your purpose.

Also Clematis macropetala Bluebird http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/clematis-blue-bird.html would look fabulous growing up an obelisk on the balcony, it's very hardy and will be ok in windy conditions and doesn't need any particular pruning regime so is quite simple to care for.

Ceres · March 2014

Geraniums and fuchsias don't mind shade in summer so you could grow those in the window boxes. It may be wet in Manchester but I'm guessing the balcony isn't getting the full force of the northern monsoon. Ivy doesn't mind shade and there are loads of varieties to chose from, some of which are very colourful and with lovely leaf forms. Sarcococca grows well in shade and has lovely smelling flowers in late winter. Its not much to look at but will grow well in a large pot and is evergreen so can form a backdrop for more colourful things.

Fairygirl · March 2014

Bsy Lizzies (Impatiens) are ideal for shade and you can pick them up quite cheaply at GCs, nurseries and DIY stores for a summer display to go with the Sarcococca Ceres mentioned. Lots of colours. Osteospermums (Cape daisies) will grow in the window boxes - they're easy to get too like the Busy Lizzies and plenty of colours available. They're both annuals so will only last through the summer/early autumn. Primulas and Polyanthus will grow in shade and you can pick them up now. Some of mine flowered on and off all summer and winter. You can get small ivies to trail from the window boxes as well. I got some for a £1 in Morrisons recently. In autumn you could put some early bulbs - daffs and crocus - in pots or the window boxes once any annuals are finished. They'll give you some nice colour at this time of year and are inexpensive. In fact, you'll get little pots of daffs cheaply just now in Garden Centres.

Did you want a few more evergreens to give structure? You could get some box balls or cones which you could take with you if you move and they will give you something to look at in winter along with the Sarcococca (Christmas box)

Manchester, NE-facing balcony garden

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