This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Best Plants for a Tricky Balcony
richard.monaghan86
Posts: 4
Hi,
We have an 8th floor balcony that has glass panels across the front and glass windows behind. So during the summer it gets intense morning sun some days which is amplified by the location. However, we are in Manchester so also have lots of dreary days and cold days during winter. Any plants we have tried to grow thrive during the cold periods but are frazzled by the sunny ones. Any suggestions on a good evergreen plant or plants we could pot and have something nice to look at all year round? I realise this is a tricky spot but something that flowered occasionally would be extra special. Thanks in advance for any help given.
0
Posts
That is tricky, Richard. Let me bump this post up so more people see it.
Thanks M-K-
If you plant in pots, Rosemaries,Thymes and Lavenders are good. They can take the heat and wet if given good drainage. Another thing to think about is wind. Armerias and Sedums can take a lot of wind and drying winds too. All these plants are evergreen which are a bonus. Bamboos and grasses are also great for adding movement and height. Many can manage well in wind. If you have a big enough pot, Solanum Crispin Glasnevin, a very reliable rambler that can be shaped to be compact, or allowed to spraw over the tops of your railings/screens. There are lovely lavender and yellow centred flowers throughout summer. Very long flowering time too.
Last edited: 22 May 2017 22:21:49
I've gardened in your neck of the woods and I would think twice about Mediterranean plants. The relentlessly damp winters wouldn't suit them at all.
If you have found plants that can cope with the winters, maybe you could help them through any occasional warm spells
by fixing some shade netting to the glass behind them. You could then add a pot or two of more temporary summer flowers for seasonal colour.