Spring, summer, autumn, winter: the balcony is always a beautiful sight

The classics among so-called balcony flowers are annuals that do not overwinter and are bought as flowering plants. Most of them love the sun, although there are exceptions that also show their splendor in partial shade or shade. Among those that do not like full sun are, for example, fuchsias, which come in both upright and hanging varieties.

They mostly prefer well-drained soils and dislike waterlogging. Therefore, the planter or container should definitely have drainage holes and a catch tray. Especially on hot days, they appreciate being watered twice, since their relatively small soil volume means their water needs are high. They should also be fertilized regularly and generously so they can show their full splendor during the few months they live. Whenever possible without needing to climb or use a ladder, the plants should be deadheaded—that is, the wilted flowers should be cut off. This helps the plants last longer and encourages further blooming.

Many balcony plants can be mixed colorfully in containers, which looks especially beautiful. However, when selecting plants, it is important to ensure they have similar needs and not to group sun-loving and shade-loving flowers together. Their water requirements should also be roughly the same. Otherwise, separate planting containers can be used to manage this.

For those with a large balcony and many plants, it can be worthwhile to overwinter some of them, at least partially. It is important to carefully research which method is suitable for each plant. For balcony plantings intended to be permanent, such as boxwood and similar plants, the containers should be protected on the balcony floor during winter, since the root ball in a pot is much more vulnerable to freezing than when planted in garden soil.