With their lavish blossoms, potted plants transform the terrace into a summer oasis of well-being. This privilege is not just reserved for hobby gardeners with a free schedule. If you dedicate yourself to your job during the day and don't have time for time-consuming care work, you don't have to miss out on the floral magic. Mother Nature gives us a variety of decorative plants that don't fail even on the south side of the house. The following selection presents you with recommended potted plants for the terrace that are content with little water despite full sun.
Beardflower (Caryopteris clandonensis)
When the terrace is exposed to intense sunlight in late summer and autumn, the bearded flower grows into its flower-rich peak form. With bright blue flowers on upright shoots up to 100 cm high, the densely bushy subshrub creates an opulent appearance. Thanks to robust winter hardiness, pruning in spring is enough to ensure that the flower show repeats itself in the next season.
- Flowering period from August to October
- When the top 3-4 cm of soil dries, it is watered
Blue Rue – Silverbush (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Don't worry any longer about a location in full sun on the terrace, where common summer flowers give up after a short period of drought. The richly flowering and lushly branched blue rue feels right at home in these locations. When the sun's rays fall on the silvery shimmering leaves, an intoxicating scent unfolds that invites you to relax after a busy day without immediately setting off with the watering can.
- Flowering period from August to October
- Water little without causing waterlogging
Diamond grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha)
Ornamental grasses create evergreen images in the pot on the terrace, which do not create any sadness even in winter. One of the top performers in this category is diamond grass, which features delicate, silvery-pink flower spikes well into autumn. The pot should have a volume of at least 10 liters so that the expansive ornamental grass feels in good hands. If you don't find time to water until the evening on hot summer days, the plant won't mind.
- Flowering time in autumn
- Watering in the evening or morning on hot summer days
Groom (Cytisus scoparius)
The noble variant of the common broom, delights with red-yellow winged flowers on strong, tightly upright branches. Thanks to its compact habit with a growth height of 150 to 200 cm, the noble broom is ideal for the pot on the terrace in a warm, sunny location.
- Flowering period from May to June
- Water when the substrate is dry
Fan maple 'Mikawa yatsubusa' (Acer palmatum 'Mikawa yatsubusa')
This rarity among deciduous trees provides convincing evidence that flowers are not needed to create a colorful picture on the terrace. Dense tufts of leaves sit on the obviously twisted branches in a roof tile-like arrangement. In autumn, the bright red foliage competes with the last flowering plants. The sunnier the location, the more intense the color. The Japanese treasure reaches a height of 100 to 150 cm after 10 years, so that - in contrast to other deciduous trees - it can remain in the pot its entire life.
- Special feature: twisted branches
- Water 1 to 2 times per week in summer
Gazanie – Midday Gold (Gazania)
Summer heat doesn't bother her, nor does the blazing sun at midday. It is these sweaty conditions that a Gazania awaits in order to develop its disc flowers, which can be up to 10 cm in size. The sunshine hybrids, which stretch up to 30 cm towards the sky, are perfect for the pot. To stage the flower festival in the balcony box, the 15 cm small mini star gazanias are available.
- Flowering period from June to the first frost
- Only water when the substrate has dried thoroughly
Houseleek 'Water Lily' (Sempervivum)
Representative of the multi-faceted family of houseleeks and houseleeks, we would like to introduce you to the colorful variety 'Water Lily'. The succulent boasts a striking silhouette of emerald-green leaf rosettes, which stand out impressively with red-brown tips in summer. In this and similarly fascinating way, the undemanding Sempervivum adorn your terrace in pots in all sunny locations. Even shimmering heat doesn't cause any problems for the perennials because they can draw on their own water supplies in the fleshy leaves. The only important thing to note is that the planting takes place in a sandy, permeable and nutrient-poor substrate.
- Flowering time all year round depending on the species
- Water little by little when it is dry
Autumn skullcap (Scutellaria incana)
Sun-loving, drought-tolerant and undemanding – these attributes characterize the autumn skullcap. When the gardening year comes to an end, the reliable perennial puts on its light blue flower dress. The good-natured skullcap lasts until the first frost without constantly requiring care. Only pruning close to the ground in early spring creates space for the next generation of flowers to sprout.
- Flowering period from August to the first frost
- Watere in summer droughts when the soil is dry
Cape daisy (Osteospermum)
As an evergreen subshrub with a never-ending flowering period, the Cape daisy should not be missing from this selection. The South African sun worshiper only opens its flowers when it can enjoy the rays of our mother star. Since its flower stalks stretch up to 60 cm in height, the Bornholm daisy prefers a wind-calmed zone on the terrace and balcony.
- Flowering period from May to the first frost
- On hot summer days, water thoroughly in the morning or evening
Lavender
With real lavender, the romantic flair of Provence finds its way onto the terrace and balcony. The robust small shrub rarely requires gardening attention, as long as it is allowed to stay in a sunny, warm place. In addition to the deep blue flowers, lavender scores with evergreen, aromatic-smelling leaves. Sun, dryness and warmth bring out its most beautiful aspects from the Mediterranean gem in the pot.
- Flowering period from July to September
- Watering sparingly
Tip:
So that drought-loving potted plants do not suffer from waterlogging, please insert a drainage made of inorganic materials between the substrate and the soil opening. Clay shards, expanded clay balls or grit are well suited. To prevent the water-bearing layer from becoming muddy, spread a breathable fleece over it.
Carnation, velvet carnation (Lychnis coronaria)
The biennial campion makes up for its short lifespan with a lavish profusion of flowers that lasts all summer long. Their most beautiful varieties bloom in bright carmine red or innocent white. For the small pot and the large flower box, the sun worshiper is suitable both as a solitary plant and in a sociable neighborhood with perennials with a similar preference for sunny, warm locations.
- Flowering period from June to August/September
- Watere in summer only when the finger test indicates dry soil
Magnificent candle (Gaura lindheimeri)
From the sun-drenched, hot prairie landscapes of North America, the magnificent candle found its way into our gardens. With graceful hanging flower clusters, the 60 to 100 cm tall perennial in the pot takes part in the summer display on the terrace. From its countless, profusely flowering shoots, the magnificent candle likes to donate one or two stems for the vase. Since it is not completely hardy, we recommend a frost-free, bright winter quarters.
- Flowering period from July to October
- Wate with restraint
Sand Carnation (Dianthus arenarius)
If you are looking for a sun-tolerant underplanting of large potted plants that requires little water, the sand carnation is there. With a delicate 10 to 20 cm height and delicate, white flowers, it lies decoratively at the feet of flowering trees and majestic perennials. Of course, the pretty perennial also likes to play the main role in the flower box on the sunny terrace.
- Flowering period from July to September
- Watering every now and then
Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
The evergreen candytuft floods the sunny terrace with clouds of white flowers. As a classic spring bloomer, the small perennial can be used as an underplant in a pot to bridge the waiting time until the main summer stars begin to bloom. The dark green, narrow leaves remain as a decorative accessory all year round.
- Flowering period from April to May
- Water sparingly
Sea lavender – sea lavender (Goniolimon tataricum)
It is considered a prime example of an uncomplicated container plant that longs for full sun and requires little water. As its name suggests, the common lilac thrives best in barren, dry and sunny conditions. Among the more than 300 species, there will be the perfect sea lavender to suit every wish. By the way, the blue flower stems make excellent long-lasting dried flowers for bouquets and arrangements.
- Flowering period from July to October
- Pour sip by sip
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Aromatic thyme transforms the terrace into a scent and herb garden. Thanks to a wide variety of varieties, there is the ideal herb plant for every design wish. The wide spectrum of hybrids extends from the small, red-flowering cascade thyme for the balcony box to the 30 cm large spice thyme for the pot. At the same time, the kitchen is regularly supplied with fresh herbs. The top priority for the full aroma is a sunny, warm place that approximates Mediterranean climate conditions.
- Flowering period from June to August
- Water little by little when the soil is dry
White buddleia (Buddleja davidii)
The wonderful summer lilac boasts snow-white flower spikes up to 40 cm long that exude an intoxicating scent. The 200 to 300 cm tall ornamental tree showcases its summer blossom display in a large pot on the sun-drenched terrace, as it only achieves its optimum in full sun.
- Flowering period from July to October/November
- If it is dry, water in the morning or evening
Tip:
In the pot, even hardy plants cannot do without protection from bitter frost. Place the container on a wooden block and wrap it with jute, foil or fleece. A thick layer of leaves protects the substrate from excessive winter moisture.
Rockrose (Cistus laurifolius)
The cistus does not like to be confronted with shady locations and wet conditions. Rather, the flower-rich ornamental tree only develops its Mediterranean charm when it can enjoy the full sun. With a growth height of 60 to 120 cm, the fragrant flower beauty is predestined for cultivation in pots. Since the scented plant freezes at temperatures below freezing, it can easily be moved to a frost-free winter quarters in the pot.
- Flowering period from May/June to August/September
- Only water when the substrate has noticeably dried
Lemon tree (Citrus x limon)
From May to October, the lemon tree spreads a Mediterranean holiday feeling when white flowers appear above its shiny green leaves, complemented by yellow fruits. For this floral masterpiece, the citrus plant wants a full sun, warm place in a niche protected from the wind.
- Flowering several times a year
- Depending on the temperature, water thoroughly 2 to 3 times a week
Conclusion
They contribute a colorful abundance of flowers to creative terrace greening and tolerate short-term drought. The potted plants presented here won't let you down in full sun if they only receive a little water. Rather, the floral survival artists only feel like they are in good hands when they do not extend their roots into moist and wet substrate. As this selection shows, as a hobby gardener with limited time, you don't have to miss out on a colorful, blooming retreat for mild summer evenings.
