Whether on the terrace, at the window or on the balcony - the planter looks good everywhere. Cozy evergreen plants, ornamental grasses and flowers in stylish arrangements make any outdoor area cozy. The season for balcony plants begins in May - then you have to plant your balcony box at the latest. We're here to help with some practical suggestions - find out which plants go together and create the colorful mix yourself. The small balcony becomes your new oasis of well-being where you can relax after a long day at work.
Planting balcony boxes – what do you have to take into account?
The first step to blooming on the balcony is to choose the right balcony box - this should offer the plants enough root space, i.e. at least 30 cm wide and high. The color and material of the flower box should be coordinated with the balcony orientation. If plastic boxes are exposed to strong sunlight all day long, the material quickly loses its elasticity and becomes brittle. Boxes made of natural materials such as clay or wood can only withstand wet soil to a limited extent; if the location is in the shade, rot can damage them. The color is closely linked to water evaporation - the dark box gets hot in summer and the soil dries out more quickly.
A high quality soil, suitable forthe needs of the plantsselected is of great importance for their growth. Do not use last year's soil - it has already lost its pore volume and may also contain pathogens that can inhibit flower growth. When planting, you should also leave a distance of at least 5 cm between the plants. This way you can ensure that even vigorous balcony flowers have enough free space and save yourself the trouble of repotting them in late summer. Lay a drainage layer of gravel at the bottom, cover it with fleece and only then fill itBalcony box with soil. Make sure the plants get enough water after planting. The planter box can then be left in an unheated room for a few days so that the flowers slowly get used to it.
These plants go together
The mix pictured above is inspired by country house style landscapes. It consists of pink pentas (1), white and pink caladiums (2), pink verbena (3), carpet knotweed (4). The hanging plants are placed far towards the front edge. The upright growing flowers create a splendor in the middle. The attractive ensemble impresses with warm pink-purple nuances and attractive leaves.
Climbing plants in the spotlight
Grow climbing plantsin the next arrangement attracts attention. The mix consists of pink tuberous begonias (1), pink petunias (2), pink dragon tree (3), ivy (4). The tuberous begonias are planted from mid-March. They love sunny locations and initially need less water. From mid-May they are allowed on the balcony - from then on you have to fertilize the plant every two weeks. Petunias love wetter soil, but cannot tolerate waterlogging. The plant needs to be checked regularly for pests. Pink dragon tree is an undemanding plant that also needs fertilizer every two weeks and prefers temperatures above 20 degrees.
Flowers in purple
A splendor of purple flowers - small-leaved ivy (1), anemones (2), fuchsias (3) and magic bells (4) grow quickly and love south-facing balconies with lots of sun. All are perennial plants, but they spread more slowly and need winter protection.
Balcony box withVegetablesand plant herbs
Delicious vegetables and fragrant herbs should not be missing on the balcony - lemon thyme (1), lettuce (2), romaine lettuce (3), thyme (4), tarragon (5), basil (6), lemon basil (7). They love the sun and need dry, well-drained soil.
Create color contrasts
Color contrasts create a cheerful mood in the next mix: yellow hibiscus (1), lobelia (2), coleus (3), pink mandevilla (4). The plants should be well protected from wind and rain; during the flowering period in summer they are watered every three days and fertilized every ten days.
A green oneOasis of well-beingon the balcony
The next arrangement is magically beautiful - harp bush (1), silver rain (2), magnificent candle (3), verbena (4), geraniums (5), eucalyptus (6), petunias (7). These plants need at least 2 hours of direct sunlight a day, need regular and abundant watering, and grow fastest in spring and summer when temperatures reach around 18 degrees.
Red as an accentimFlower box
Red magic bells (1), ivy (2), sage “Tricolor” (3) spice up the balcony. The plants love dry, preferably calcareous soil, do not need to be fertilized regularly and need to be watered every two weeks.
More classicCharm
If you thought that classic arrangements looked boring - magic bells (1), petunias (2), alyssum (3) and cranesbill (4) add a fresh touch to the balcony. The right location is in partial shade; moderately moist soil with good drainage (e.g. potsherds on the bottom of the box) offers the optimal conditions for rapid growth.
More excitingMixwithout flowers
Composed of exotic species such as the wild Pincushion Hakea from Australia (1), magnificent candle (2), silver leaf (3), sky blossom (4), sedum (5), lantana (6), coleus (7),the next arrangementpresents an exciting mix of perennials with unusual leaf shapes. The right location is the south-facing balcony - because these plants need direct sunlight for at least 6 hours a day. They can tolerate heat without any problems, but they are not sensitive to frost and cannot tolerate temperatures below 12 degrees well. They prefer loamy, moist soil. You need to water the plants regularly and give fertilizer once a month.
SimpleArrangementwith great effect
Less is more - sometimes even an arrangement of just two plants - red begonias (1) and hussar button (2) can have a big impact. The Hussar button is an annual plant that thrives in loamy, permeable soil and in sunny to partially shaded locations. Otherwise it is quite undemanding and can easily withstand rain and wind. You can collect seeds in the fall and then grow the plant again next spring.
Flowers, ornamental grasses and ground cover also look good on the balcony - get inspired by the suggestions above. Our tip – If you prefer your own arrangement, look for plants that have similar requirements.
