For townspeople, landscaping a loggia or balcony is often the only way to get closer to nature it is both decorations, a way to cheer up, relax, and not burdensome work with the ground. For plants to bring joy, they need to be chosen correctly, for example, flowers for the sunny side should not only be photophilous but also withstand direct sunlight. Here we are discussing the best plants for a sunny balcony.
Selection of best plants for a sunny balcony
For south-facing balconies, the largest selection of plants can be found among flower beds.
They must meet the following requirements:
- not be afraid of direct sunlight;
- grow quickly and reach the peak of decorativeness;
- develop normally in a limited volume of a pot, box or other container;
- put up with a periodic lack of moisture;
- bloom continuously;
- do not require careful maintenance;
- respond well to mineral supplements.
The owners decide on their own what flowers to plant at home on the sunny side there are a lot of them. The article will help you make the right choice – not everyone knows the features of a particular culture. Perhaps growers will pay attention to plants that were not previously considered as “candidates” for planting in containers.
Many annual bed flowers in their homeland are perennials.It is possible to keep the bushes until the next season, but not all will bloom as profusely as those grown from seeds or cuttings.
best plants for a sunny balcony
When they ask the question, what are the best plants for a sunny balcony and their flowers are not afraid of direct sunlight, are able to maintain decorativeness all season and feel great in container culture, first of all, they remember petunia. There are several varieties with different growth patterns and corolla diameters.
Petunias have an attractive appearance, fragrant flowers are symmetrical, like a gramophone or a funnel with a long tube. Corollas with fused petals are double or simple, one-color, bordered, or covered with stains. Coloring – any, except orange or deep yellow. Fragile stems and small whole leaves, pubescent. The length of the shoots varies from 20 cm to 2 m.
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Large-flowered or grandiflora
This petunia is presented in many varieties, it is distinguished by the largest flowers, but the most difficult to care for. The diameter of the corolla in some cultivars reaches 12 cm, it is double, two-colored.
Plants on the balcony on the south side feel great. But large flowers can suffer from prolonged rains or strong winds.
To preserve decorativeness, wilted buds should be regularly removed, and bare stems should be periodically trimmed.
Multi-flowered or multiflora
The flowers of this group reach 5-7 cm in diameter. They are not as beautiful as those of the petunia grandiflora, usually of the same color, but they completely cover the bush, which looks especially impressive. The plant is not capricious, resistant to diseases and suffers less from weather disasters.
There are self-cleaning varieties they do not need to pick off wilted buds.
Floribunda
It occupies an intermediate position. Corollas up to 10 cm in diameter, varieties differ in a variety of shapes and colors. They suffer from wind and rain, but not as much as grandiflora.
Petunia ampelous or pendula
When rubbed, all parts of the plant give off a strong, pleasant aroma.
Since the root system of marigolds is pivotal, the pot or box must be chosen deep. To ensure the continuous formation of new buds, the “heads” that have lost their decorative effect are cut off.
best Ampel flowers for a sunny balcony
The most popular plants for balcony planting are plants with bright buds and flexible stems that bend or fall beautifully below the edge of the container. They are called ampel or ampels. Many withstand the direct rays of the sun perfectly.
Lobelia
A compact, dense bush with thin, densely branched shoots 10-20 cm long, completely covered with small two-lipped flowers with a diameter of no more than 2 cm. They are usually colored blue, purple, or blue, but there are varieties with white and purple corollas or stems reaching 1, 5 m.
See also Best Low Maintenance Hanging Plants.
Flowering begins in June, lasts until September, and longer with good care. Lobelia is usually planted with other plants, for example, geraniums, tagetis, petunias of contrasting colors.
Seeds sprout well, but when picking inexperienced growers often have problems. Lobelia seedlings are tiny, the stems are not separated one by one, but are planted in individual cups in bunches.
Nasturtium or capuchin
Among the varieties, there are vines, ampels, and erect bushes with flexible shoots. In nasturtium, not only yellow, orange or red asymmetrical funnel-shaped flowers are of decorative value but also leaves.
Capuchin is not only an ornamental but also an edible and medicinal plant.
Pelargonium or geranium
There are many species used as flower beds, container plants, and indoor plants. As flowers for the sunny side of the balcony, varieties of ampelous (ivy) geranium are of greatest interest.
The plant is a bush with shoots from 25 cm to 1 m long, first ascending, then drooping. The flowers are collected in an umbrella, they can be simple, double, similar to not fully opened pink buds. Coloring – white, all shades of pink, red, up to very dark burgundy.
The leaves are quite tough, smooth, like ivy. When rubbed, they emit a specific aroma. It is believed to soothe and relieve headaches.
This is a perennial plant, with the onset of cold weather, the pots can be brought into the house, and the bushes can be transplanted into pots from the balcony box. To preserve decorativeness, it needs pruning of the stems and the removal of wilted peduncles.
best Climbing plants for a sunny balcony
IN our rating of best plants for a sunny balcony, we have also selected climbing plants. Perhaps this is the smallest group for landing on the loggia. It is necessary that the flowers not only withstand direct sunlight, continuously throw out the buds, but also grow quickly.
Sweet pea or rank
There are over 1000 varieties. The plant is widely used in vertical gardening and is appreciated for its pleasant aroma and abundant flowering. Flexible stems are decorated with light green paired leaves, at the top of which there are antennae clinging to the support. It branches weakly.
Flowers are collected in 3-7 pieces in a brush, asymmetrical, like a sail or moths. The buds appear from June-July until frost. Coloring – any, except yellow.
Sweet peas will not grow in a flat pot.
Morning glory
A liana about 5 m long with heart-like leaves is often called a loach. The flowers are like a gramophone, have a long stem and a pleasant smell. They are densely dotted with shoots, open only in bright sun, in cloudy weather they are closed. Blue, purple, blue, pink, red buds appear in early summer, replacing each other, decorate the southern balconies before frost.
Check it out best hanging plants for southern California.
Kobei
One of the most beautiful flowers for a balcony on the sunny side is the climbing fast-growing annual kobei shrub. Liana up to 6 m long, capable of clinging to brickwork or other irregularities. The leaves are beautiful, feathery, with 3 large lobes.
The flowers are bell-shaped, with a wavy edge of the corolla, up to 8 cm in diameter, on long legs. The buds are greenish-yellow, when fully opened they become white, purple, different shades of purple.
It is difficult to choose flowers for the sunny side – there are many of them, all are beautiful, most are easy to care for. Here it is important to observe the measure and make sure that the colors are combined, and the smells do not mix
