In summer we like to spend time outdoors. A southern terrace or asunny western balconyOf course, they offer the best lighting conditions. But even if you have a north-facing shade balcony, you can transform it into a blooming paradise. Luckily, there are plenty of shade flowers for balconies that require little light and bloom all summer long. Which summer flowers thrive in the shade? We list the most beautiful balcony bloomers.
Shade flowers for balconies: A shady location is not always a shady location
Whether a balcony is in the shade does not necessarily depend on its orientation, but rather on the intensity of the sunlight. Even a south-facing balcony can be in the shade for most of the day, for example when the neighboring houses cast shadows on it. Professional gardeners differentiate between three types of shade:Partial shade, light shade and full shade.
1.As partial shadeThese are locations that are in the sun for 4 to 5 hours and then in the shade for the rest of the day. A balcony with a west or east orientation is usually in partial shade.
2.In light shadethe flowers enjoy diffused light (i.e. the plants are under a pergola orunder climbing plantsand the sunlight falls through their leaves). Basically, plants that prefer partial shade also feel comfortable in locations with light shade. A south-facing balcony with sun protection usually offers light shade.
3. If there is a balcony in theFull shadeit receives less than 2 hours of sunlight throughout the day. A balcony on the north side of the house or residential building is usually in full shade.
You can use a camera to help you better assess the lighting conditions on the balcony. Simply set the camera to take pictures every thirty minutes. It can also be the case that half of the balcony is in partial shade and one corner is in full sun.
Shade flowers for balconies: What blooms well in the shade?
1 – azaleas, 2 – rhododendrons, 3 – Christmas roses, 4 – clivia, 5 – busy lilies, 6 – daphne, 7 – anemones, 8 – hydrangeas, 9 – Japanese lavender heather
Not bare: flowers can also shine on the shaded balcony. Because there are enough flowers for shade with which you can make it colorful and lively. Azaleas, rhododendrons, Christmas roses, clivia, daphne, anemones and Japanese lavender heather are plants that thrive in sunny to partially shaded locations, for example. They need at least 4 hours of direct sunlight, but cannot tolerate midday sun well. Therefore, they are perfect for west or east facing balconies.
Below we list other balcony flowers for light shade and full shade, which are a sea of flowersconjure up on the north balconybecome.
Flowers for Shade: Begonia
The Begoniacomes from tropical areas, where it grows in the shade of tall trees. Therefore, the summer flower is one of the most popular flowers for the shaded balcony. But be careful: the shade plant cannot withstand rain or wind. Film roller blinds offer wind and rain protection for the north-facing balcony and can therefore shield the sensitive summer flower from the effects of the weather.
In the garden center you can find different varieties that bloom in pink, yellow, orange or red. Varieties with large flowers that hang over the edge are suitable for flower boxes and hanging baskets.
Profile:
- Perennial flower
- hardy
- Soil: moderately moist, humus, nutrient-rich. Soil is well suited for azaleas
- Location: sunny to full shade
- Flowering time: May to the end of September
- The flower tubers are planted from February onwards, and from mid-May after the Ice Saints the young plants are allowed on the balcony.
Balcony flowers for shade: Busy Lieschen
The hard-working Lieschen actually comes from South Africa, but has become a popular guest on the balcony at home. The summer flower is particularly popular for its extremely long flowering period. It begins to produce densely packed flowers as early as May. A shady location (partial shade to light shade) promotes plant growth. Wind protection is also very important for this exotic animal. The shade plant is not hardy. In the garden it is therefore considered an annual and is simply disposed of after the end of the flowering period. However, it can also be cultivated on the balcony for several years if it is overwintered in a dry, bright room at a temperature of 10 to 12 degrees Celsius after the end of the flowering period.
Profile:
- Annual or perennial plant
- Partial shade to light shade
- Wind protection necessary
- Soil requirements: loose, permeable, nutrient-rich
- Water: At temperatures above 28 degrees Celsius, spray the flowers and leaves with water and water regularly.
- Fertilizing: Apply slow-release fertilizer at the start of the summer season
- Planting time: Mid May
- Distance in the flower box: 20 cm between plants; in a flower pot: plant close together.
Which flowers are suitable for the shady balcony? Snowflake flower
The snowflake flower has only been on the balcony at home for a few years and has now established itself as a favorite of hobby gardeners. The summer flower rewards good care with a sea of white flowers. Their flowers and leaves hang over the edge of the flower pot or plant box and are a real eye-catcher both as soloists and in arrangements. The summer flower tolerates partial shade without any problems and is therefore perfect for a west or east balcony. As far as care is concerned, it is fairly undemanding and uncomplicated. The flower should be watered and fertilized regularly. The faded flowers should be cut off. This extends the flowering period.
Profile:
- annual
- Location: semi-shaded to shady, perfect for the west-facing balcony
- Soil requirements: fresh to moderately moist, nutrient-rich, humus, permeable
- Planting time: in spring
- Water: water every week
- Fertilizer: fertilize every week
- hanging plant
- Flowering time: from April to October
- not hardy, must be overwintered
Find out here, how you can combine the snowflake flower.
Which summer flowers thrive in the shade? hydrangea
The hydrangea is a true all-rounder. Whether in the pot or in the garden: this summer flower can do anything. The location plays a crucial role so that you can enjoy its flowers for a long time. Varieties such as forest, panicle or plate hydrangeas prefer a shady location and thrive easily in pots. Balconies that are in partial shade are best suited so that the flower is in the sun for at least 3 hours a day. Hydrangeas cut a particularly good figure as soloists. When planting, you should pay attention to the size of the container.
Profile:
- perennial
- hardy
- Flowering time: From May to September
- toxic to small children and pets
- Location: as a climbing plant on the wall of the apartment, as a pot plant - in front of the wall, protected from the wind, cool, sunny to partially shaded
- Soil requirements: moist, permeable
- Water: water regularly and abundantly
Which flowers are suitable for shade? Bleeding heart
Bleeding heart is a beautiful perennial whose flowers are heart-shaped. The plant originally comes from Asia, where it usually grows under the shade of trees. It is particularly sensitive to light in spring, after budding. Too strong sunlight can burn their leaves and flowers. The balcony flower therefore prefers a location in light shade. The east-facing balcony proves to be ideal, as it is sunny in the morning and then shady from midday onwards. It can also thrive on the north-facing balcony if it is protected from strong winds. In the cottage garden it reaches a maximum height of 70 cm, in the pot it grows to a height of around 40 cm.
Profile:
- perennial
- Location: sheltered from the wind, sunny to partial shade
- Soil requirements: permeable, nutrient-rich, moderately dry to fresh
- Fertilize: with compost at the beginning of the summer season
- Water: water sparingly with low-lime water every 3-4 days
- Planting time: in spring, mid to late May
- Flowering time: all summer long
- not hardy, has to move into winter quarters in winter.
Which flowers can tolerate a lot of shade? fuchsia
The fuchsia is one of the most beautiful summer flowers for shade. Depending on the variety, it produces purple, pink, red or white flowers. It tolerates direct sun but only in the morning. The midday sun can burn its leaves, so it prefers a location in partial to full shade. The darker the fuchsia's leaves are, the more sunlight it needs. When it comes to temperatures, it is also quite sensitive to heat. 20 to 24 degrees Celsius prove to be optimal. Therefore the shade balcony is perfect. So if you want to plant a north-facing balcony, then you can choose fuchsias. The flower tolerates rain and does not mind high humidity. In a pot or hanging basket it reaches a maximum height of 40 cm.
Shade flowers for the balcony: Which potted plants are suitable for the north side of the apartment?
Of course, a flower box with hydrangeas or a flower pot with a bleeding heart is an absolute eye-catcher. Pots in which shade plants and balcony flowers are planted also look beautiful. Below we give you several examples of plant partners that thrive on the north-facing balcony.
Shadow flowers for the balcony: a splendor of purple flowers
- Leaf mustard variety “Red Giant”
- Hanging petunia with small purple flowers Littletunia
- Kale variety “Red Russian”
Spectacular mix for the shade balcony
- Buntnessel
- Verbena
- Blue fan flower
- Foxtail
- Magic bells
- petunias
Plant north balcony: fire red blooming flowers
- Pansies
- horned violets
Plants and flowers for the shade balcony:
Two zinc buckets, put the small one in the large one. Plant in the little ones:
- horned violets
- Parsley
and plant in the large zinc bucket (on the edge):
- horned violets
- Pennywort
If you want to plant shade plants in a flower pot, you should adhere to several basic rules. What is particularly important is that you combine plants and flowers with similar location and soil requirements. Above all, pay attention to whether the plants prefer partial shade, light shade or full shade and, above all, whether they can withstand wind and rain. Plant the young flowers and ornamental grasses in the pots in mid-May and leave them in an unheated room in the apartment for a week. At the end of May they can move onto the balcony. In the flower pot you should leave a distance of at least 10 cm between the plants and flowers. Arrange the planting partners as follows: Tall ornamental grasses and flowers go in the middle, creeping plants at the edge of the container and medium-high flowers can fill the gaps.
