But that doesn't mean that you can't turn a balcony into a flowering oasis; hanging and standing balcony plants are exactly the right means for this.
Which balcony plants are offered?
Balcony plants come in many varieties. There is a large selection available, from flower cascades to impressive tall plants and in numerous color combinations. Some of them are true classics and are also known as permanent bloomers, such as the geranium. It even meets both variants: both standing and hanging geraniums are available. At the same time, the geranium is also the best-known variety among balcony plants and, along with the so-called busy lizards and petunias, is a classic. But there are even more beautiful flowers that, standing or hanging in the balcony boxes or in the pots, make the balcony colorful.
Standing balcony plants
The term refers to balcony plants that have an upright growth habit. These are called, for example.
- Fuchsias
- Petunias
- Pansies
- True to men
- Daisies
- Lavender
- Oleander
- Hibiscus
The list could probably be extended because the range is very large and diverse. The balcony plants don't necessarily have to grow in a box on the railing; the hanging varieties are much more popular here. Standing balcony plants are planted between the hanging flowers or stand in pots and all sorts of other containers on the floor in front of the railing or on the table. By the way, you don't have to wait until summer to plant the flower box on the balcony; spring can also be brightened up with seasonal plants. If you put bulbs of tulips, crocuses, snowdrops or daffodils in the ground in late autumn, you will already have the first colorful splashes of color in the pot or box on the balcony in early spring.
Hanging balcony plants
Every flower lover has probably seen photos of the magnificent balcony plants that often occur in southern Germany or the Alpine countries. Bavarian country houses are particularly popular with beautiful flowers. However, these are by no means exotic, but rather the well-known and tried and tested geraniums, petunias, etc. These hanging balcony plants are also often planted:
- Incense
- Verbens
- Gundermann
- Mint
- Silver Rain
- Blue Mauritius
- Fuchsias
- Fan Flower
- Carnations
However, it is not enough to choose standing or hanging examples of balcony plants. It is particularly important to pay attention to the direction of the compass. A south-facing balcony needs different planting than a north-facing balcony. The weather conditions are decisive for the growth of the plants.
Locations for the balcony plants
It's not easy to choose among all the beautiful balcony plants because every space is limited. It's no wonder that you're seeing more and more balconies that are filled with balcony plants right down to the last corner. But in addition to all the blooming beauties, one must consider the location before purchasing them. Not all of the flowering plants want to be exposed to sun and not all of them can tolerate the cool temperatures on the side facing away from the sun. Wind, especially on higher balconies, also causes problems for many balcony plants.
Tips for the balcony with lots of sun
If the balcony is facing south, you need balcony plants that can tolerate a lot of sun. Anything that thrives under Mediterranean conditions is right here. If you place herbs such as sage or thyme between the flowers, you can also enjoy the wonderful scent. These balcony flowers like sun and warmth:
- Geraniums
- Petunias
- Cape basket
- Hussar Button
- Zinnia
- Bougainvillea
- Oleander
- Asters
- True to men
Petunias are susceptible to wind due to their delicate flowers. If there is often a strong breeze on the balcony, the calyxes can be damaged. But they also feel very comfortable in a pot together with other balcony plants as a colorful mixed ensemble.
Tips for the shady balcony
The shady balcony has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages, of course, include that the balcony flowers do not burn as quickly and the soil does not dry out as quickly as on a balcony in a southern location. The disadvantage can be that the plants then tend to get wet feet, are often windy and simply don't want to really start flowering. But there are suitable countermeasures for this too. These are balcony plants for shade:
- Fuchsias
- Hardworking Lieschen
- Elf Mirror
- Liver Balm
- Laurentie
- Vanilla Flower
- Begonias
- hydrangea
- Slipper Flower
- Fern
Balcony boxes and pots can be planted in a beautiful, colorful mix, so that colorful splendor adorns the balcony even on the shady side of the house. Fern and ivy can be used to create fresh green accents and gap-filling plants. You can choose whether hanging or standing plants according to your mood. However, if the balcony is sunny or shady, it is important not to forget to water and to add a portion of fertilizer to the water every now and then. Regularly removed flowers ensure a magnificent picture and a constant supply of new buds.
Hanging and standing balcony plants in the most beautiful colors
- Hanging petunias, geraniums or lobelias are popular as hanging or standing balcony plants. These colorful perennial bloomers can be seen from a distance and they only reveal their full beauty when they are hung up.
- The Torenia is particularly beautiful because it has cascading shoots that can grow up to one meter long.
- The matchstick fuchsia, which comes from Mexico, also attracts everyone's attention in a balcony box or in a hanging basket.
Standing flowers for the balcony are just as versatile as the possibilities for hanging plants. Here you can combine the most beautiful symphonies of colorful flowers in planters. The only important thing is that all plants have the same requirements for irrigation, sun and nutrients.
Editor’s Tips
- If you decide on hanging balcony flowers, you should make sure that the hanging device is strong enough, because over the course of the summer such a hanging plant gains enormous weight. It would be a shame if she fell to the ground.
- When it comes to standing balcony plants, it is important to ensure that they are secure and that no waterlogging can form in the flower pot. Very few flowers like that.
