The balcony season will open at the beginning of June at the latest and we will enjoy spending time outdoors again. When chosen correctly, flowers, ground cover and foliage perennials turn every balcony into a green oasis. A special eye-catcher are the plants with hanging shoots, which can be displayed in the hanging basket, in the flower box and in the pot. In the article we tell you which are the most beautiful hanging plants for sunny locations and give tips on caring for balcony plants in summer.
Balcony plants in summer: stage hanging plants correctly
Hanging plants are flowers, perennials and ground cover plants whose shoots hang over the edgethe flower box, flower pot or hanging basketprotrude. They are also a super practical and space-saving solution for small balconies, because they don't necessarily have to stand on the floor or hang on the railings: hanging plants thrive best in hanging containers anyway. They offer privacy, can visually divide larger balconies or roof terraces into several areas and attract bees and butterflies to the balcony garden. Another advantage for the hobby gardener is the fact that he can marvel at the hanging flowers at eye level. To make your own hanging garden a success, here are a few tips:
1. Especially on the balcony, it is important that the plants are easily accessible, for example for watering and fertilizing. You should also be able to check the potting soil for pests.
2. Depending on which ceiling construction you have on your balcony, you can choose a suitable variant for attaching the hanging container. You can display smaller flower pots in macrame hanging baskets, while for larger ones you can choose hanging baskets with coconut inserts or a plant stand.
3. Large hanging baskets are usually staged as soloists on the balcony. However, you can store several hanging plants in a hanging basket. This creates a blooming garden in a small format. Small hanging containers can be grouped as desired. For example, you can play with colors and shapes, or hang several flower pots at different heights.
Balcony plants in summer: hanging plants that can tolerate full sun
No oasis of well-being is complete without flowers and plants. If you have oneBalcony garden made of hanging plantsIf you want to create plants that thrive in the blazing sun, we can help you with a list of plants. Here are the right balcony plants for summer:
Balcony plant classics for the sunny hanging garden:
- Geraniums
- petunias
- Cape basket
- Elfensporn
Bee-friendly balcony plants for the summer:
- The verbs
- faithful to men
- Steinkraut
- Italian clematis
- Bluebell
- Magic bells
Exotic hanging plants for west or south facing balconies
- Nasturtium
- Starflower
- Madagascar periwinkle
- Two-tooth
- Hornklee
Balcony plants in summer: licorice strawflower
The licorice strawflower (Helichrysum petiolare) is easily recognizable by its heart-shaped foliage in gray-green. The shoots of the dwarf shrub initially grow upwards and then flow over the edge of the container. Its bushy growth forms the perfect backgroundfor summer flowers. The annual hanging plant comes from South Africa and thrives best in a sunny location. Particularly in July and August, hobby gardeners should ensure that the roots of the plant do not heat up too much. It reaches a maximum height of 80 to 100 cm.
Profile:
- Flowering time: in summer, from the beginning of August to the end of September
- Flowers: small, cream-colored, inconspicuous
- Soil requirements: permeable, nutrient-rich and calcareous
- Watering: as needed, preferably early in the morning
Which balcony plants bloom all summer? Climbing snapdragon
The climbing snapdragon is native to sunny Mexico. The wild form reaches a height of up to 3 meters, the cultivated varieties remain significantly smaller, but form a much more intensive leaf mass and have a bushy growth. The perennial exotic produces tubular, white-purple flowers as early as June and then blooms throughout the summer. The specific flower shape offersBees and butterfliesthe perfect landing spot.
The plant is not frost hardy and must be overwintered in a bright and heated place from September onwards.
Profile:
- Flowering time: from June to September
- Flowers: white-purple, grow up to 4 cm
- Soil requirements: nutrient-rich and humus-rich potting soil
- Watering and fertilizing: Water as needed, fertilize once at the beginning of summer
- Other: Requires climbing assistance
Summer plants for the balcony: nasturtium
The nasturtium is popular because of its round leaves and yellow-orange flowers. The annual flower comes from South America, where it is mainly found in mountainous areas. The hanging plant therefore prefers locations in partial shade, but some cultivars can also thrive in the sun. A lean, loamy, slightly moist soil proves to be optimal. The nasturtium has a compact growth and reaches a maximum height of 60 cm. Sheexudes a pleasant scentand thus attracts insects such as bees or butterflies to the balcony garden. It is great as a gap filler in the flower box.
Profile:
- Flowering period: Begins in May, ends in September
- Flowers: yellow-orange flowers, permanent bloomers
- Soil requirements: poor, loamy
- Watering and fertilizing: Apply slow-release fertilizer once a year, in spring. Water as needed and allow the top layer of soil to dry out completely.
Balcony plants for summer: starflower
The starflower comes from Australia, where it is grown as a perennial. Since the summer bloomer is not winter-hardy, the hobby gardener can either overwinter the flower frost-free in September or grow it as an annual plant. Depending on which variant the gardener chooses, the plant can reach a maximum height of between 15 and 30 cm. It fascinates with slightly overhanging shoots and bushy growth. The flower's trademark is its purple, star-shaped flowers, which it produces profusely from June to the end of September. Humus-rich, slightly moist soil can also promote flower formation.
Profile:
- Flowering time: June to September
- Flowers: star-shaped, purple, lavender or white
- Soil requirements: more humus, moist, more permeable
- Watering and fertilizing: Never let the soil dry out
Balcony plants in summer: common horn trefoil
The common horn trefoil is an easy-care plant that thrives best in full sun. The hanging plant has a spreading but low growth habit (the maximum height is 30 cm). It prefers dry, calcareous soils and feels at home both in combination with desert plants and as a soloist in a flower pot. Otherwise it is quite undemanding and can get by with little water and no fertilizer at all. Flowering begins in May and ends with the first frost in September or October.
Summer plants that tolerate a lot of sun: Blue daisy
The blue daisy is one of the permanent bloomers for the summer season. It comes from Australia, where it is common as a field flower. In Europe, only cultivated varieties are available in garden centers and nurseries. They delight with their overhanging growth, feathery foliage and bright purple or blue flowers. Most cultivated forms are annual and sensitive to frost. The flower reaches a maximum height of 30 cm and is therefore perfect as a container plant. The slightly loamy, humus-rich and moderately moist soil proves to be optimal. The flowering period begins in May, when the first slightly fragrant flowers appear, and ends in October.
Profile:
- Flowering time: May to late September or early October
- Flowers: purple, light blue, dark blue, snow white or pink
- Soil requirements: nutrient-rich, neutral
- Watering and fertilizing: Add compost at the beginning of summer
- Other: has a pleasant scent
Balcony plants in summer: two-tooth
The summer bloomer Zweizahn conjures up a splendor of yellow flowers on the balcony. It is particularly common in hot and dry regions such as Arizona in the USA and some desert areas in Mexico. In Europe it is mainly available in an annual cultivated form. The hanging plant reaches a maximum height of 30 cm and impresses with its fast and sprawling growth. The two-tooth is particularly suitable for solitary planting because it crowds out the other flowers.
Profile:
- Flowering time: from June to September
- Flowers: bright yellow
- Soil requirements: loamy, moderately moist
- Watering and fertilizing: Water well two or three times a week and never let the soil dry out completely. Supply with liquid fertilizer once a month.
Which balcony plants bloom all summer: faithful to men
The Male True is another summer bloomer that comes from South Africa. It has a compact habit and reaches a maximum height of 30 cm, with both upright and hanging cultivars available in garden centers. The hanging flower is a permanent bloomer and produces its small purple flowers with white eyes at the end of May. The rule of thumb applies: the more direct sunlight, the more flowers will be formed. Otherwise, the flower is considered to be fairly uncomplicated and has no special requirements in terms of soil, location or care. Most hobby gardeners cut the flower back in July. This further promotes flower formation.
Profile:
- Flowering time: From May to the first frost
- Flowers: purple, small, zygomorphic
- Soil requirements: sandy, rich in humus,
- Watering and fertilizing: Always keep the soil moist and give liquid fertilizer once a week.
Summer plants for the balcony: Thunbergia
Thunbergia, also called the “black-eyed Susanne”, is also native to South Africa. The cultivated varieties in Europe are annual and not frost-resistant. In addition to the hanging plant, climbing varieties can also be found. In contrast to the other South African flowers that we have already presented to you, the Thunbergia thrives on both sunny and partially shaded balconies.
Profile:
- Flowering time: early June to October
- Flowers: dark brown throat and light orange flowers
- Soil requirements: loamy, permeable
- Watering and fertilizing: The soil must not dry out, so the flower should be watered once a week. A drainage layer made of expanded clay prevents waterlogging from forming. Apply liquid fertilizer every two weeks.
Also read:Caring for Thunbergia: Practical, undemanding and beautiful
Summer-flowering hanging plants: bell vine
The bell vine is also a sun worshiper. As the name suggests, this is a cultivar with bell-shaped flowers. The climbing plant looks good on the balcony, especially in flower pots. It requires a trellis, has a sprawling habit and offers dense foliage and branches, making it suitable as a privacy screen for the balcony. The flower is perennial and should be overwintered during the cold season.
Profile:
- Flowering time: From May to September
- Flowers: bell-shaped, purple
- Soil requirements: loamy, good drainage
- Watering and fertilizing: Water regularly, fertilize as needed
- Other: has a slightly sweet scent
More balcony plant ideas for summer: magic bells
Profile:
- Location: sunny
- Maximum growth height: 60 cm
- Flower color: Varies depending on the variety
- Flowering time: June to September
- Soil requirements: moist, nutrient-rich, slightly acidic
- Watering and fertilizing: If you enrich the substrate with compost, you need to water it thoroughly.
Summer plants for the balcony: Evergreen candytuft
Profile:
- Maximum growth height: 25 – 30 cm
- Sprawling growth, dense foliage
- Flowering period: April – June
- Flowers: Color varies depending on the variety, umbel-shaped
- Soil requirements: dry, stony, nutrient-rich
- Hardy plant
- Watering and fertilizing: As needed
- Other: Cut back after flowering
Summer plants for the balcony: Scented stonewort
Profile:
- Mediterranean plant
- Location: in full sun
- Maximum growth height is 20 cm, but individual shoots can also become longer
- Flowering time: from June to the end of September
- Soil requirements: with a high sand content, neutral, dry
- Attracts bees and butterflies
- Watering and fertilizing: Water regularly, the soil should always be slightly moist. Fertilize after the first flowering period, which usually ends in July.
Hanging plants for summer: Blue fanflowere
Profile:
- Maximum growth height: 1 meter
- Flowering time: early June to late September
- Flowers: depending on the variety, blue, purple, yellow
- Soil requirements: rich in humus, loamy, with a high proportion of sand
- Watering and fertilizing: can survive dry periods well, but the root balls must not dry out completely. That's why it's better to water every two weeks and only fertilize once in spring with slow-release fertilizer
Balcony plants that tolerate a lot of sun: Hussar button
Profile:
- Maximum growth height: 30 cm
- Flowering time: Continuous bloomers from June to the first frost
- Flowers: small, yellow
- Soil requirements: slightly acidic, permeable, nutrient-rich
- Watering and fertilizing: In summer during heat waves, water in the morning and evening and enrich the potting soil with compost when planting.
Hanging plants for sunny locations: Madagascar evergreen
Profile:
- Maximum growth height: 80 cm (perennial shrub, not frost-resistant)
- Location: sunny, in partial shade
- Soil requirements: loose, rich in humus
- Watering and fertilizing: Water when necessary, fertilize every 10 days
Balcony plant ideas for summer: Alternanthera dentata
Profile:
- Maximum growth height: 80 cm
- Leaf ornamental perennial
- Location: sunny to shady
- Perennial bloomers
- Soil requirements: Loamy, permeable
- Watering and fertilizing: Water as needed, fertilize once in spring
Balcony plant ideas for summer: hanging geraniums
Profile:
- Overhanging growth
- Flowers: the color can vary depending on the variety
- Long flowering period: June to September
- Soil requirements: moderately moist, with a high sand content, rich in humus
- Watering and fertilizing: Water twice a day, fertilize once a month
