Autumn will soon be over and we are already preparing for winter. Far from being dull and gray – even in the cold season, colorful balcony plants make the outdoor area look cheerful and inviting. We give you beautiful ideas for winter plants for the balcony with hardy winter flowers, evergreen perennials and dried flowers.
Winter planting for the balcony: what should you consider?
For most hobby gardeners, the gardening season comes to an end in November. It doesn't have to be, because there are numerous hardy plants that will transform the balcony into a green oasis. There are a few things you should keep in mind when planting your balcony in winter.
- Pots and flower boxes made of porous materials are unsuitable for winter planting. It is better to use plastic pots or seal the clay pots with glaze.
- Himselfhardy plantsneed winter protection in permanent frost. This is because the ground in the pot and flower box often freezes. Wrap the bucket with fleece or protective film.
- You can continue to use the potting soil from summer in winter. You do not need to additionally fertilize the soil - the winter plants can also cope with a nutrient-poor substrate.
- Water winter plants in mild weather. If there is permanent frost, the plants do not need any water. If in doubt, do a finger test. This way you can immediately see whether the soil has dried out and the plants need water.
- Most winter plants can tolerate direct sunlight well. Himselfshade-loving balcony plantstherefore do not need sun protection in winter.
- Unlike summer, winter flowers, grasses and perennials can be planted close together. This is because they compete less for water and nutrients in winter and they stay significantly lower than summer plants.
The snow roseis one of the most beautiful winter flowers. Their flowers usually open around Christmas time. The white flowers in combination with the dark green leaves make the snow rose a real eye-catcher in the container garden.
WinteralpenveilchenThey produce their flowers as early as January. The flowering period extends until March. By the way, there are also certain horned violet hybrids that bloom in the winter between November and March.
That Mahoganyis particularly popular for its golden yellow flower buds, which appear as early as November. The plant prefers a well-drained soil and a partially shaded spot on the balcony.
Early spring cyclamenshow up in January. The plants are very hardy and bloom in pink, red and white. The flowering period extends into spring. They can be easily combined with ground cover and evergreen plants in pots.
snowdropare perhaps the perfect winter flowers for the container. They are compact and easy to care for. Combine them with lily grape or hellebore.
Hardy plants for the balcony box
The winter-blooming honeysucklefascinates with its fragrant snow-white flowers, which provide food for insects in winter. The red berries provide food for birds and other small garden animals from February onwards. Flowers appear in December, the flowering period of the shrub lasts until February.
The Macchien clematis(Clematis Vine) has cream-colored flowers and a subtle citrus scent. It can do well without pruning, but you can trim it back after flowering. The flowering period begins in December and ends in January.
The snow heathfascinates with its pink to purple flower buds that adorn the pot or balcony box in February and March.
The Niedere Scheinbeere (Carpetberry) has dark green leaves that turn dark red in winter and beautiful glossy red berries. This mock berry impresses with its compact growth.
The Japanese flower skimmia“Rubella” is a frost-hardy and very easy-care evergreen plant. Their trademark are the pink flower buds. The flower skimmia is the perfect planting partner for common heather.
The Kriech-Günselis a hardy evergreen plant that has become popular in recent years as an alternative to ivyFlower box and in the buckethas enforced.
Evergreen conifers and conifers for the balcony
The dwarf pine scores with its low growth. It also grows very slowly and is therefore the perfect container plant for the balcony in winter. It also looks good as a balcony box plant. It can also be easily combined with other potted plants.
The cushion pine is a hardy tree that attracts attention with its blue-green needles. With a maximum growth height of one meter, it is very compact and therefore perfect for the container garden.
The Japanese hanging larch is the perfect plant for hanging baskets. It has hanging shoots and attractive, light green needles.
The small mussel cypress is also a slow-growing conifer that can be combined as desired with other hardy grasses, evergreen plants and winter flowers.
Winter plants for the balcony: ideas for the hanging basket
Under no circumstances should the hanging basket remain empty. Insulate them with moss and combine fall-blooming flowers such as hydrangeas and astilbe with the hardy dwarf balsam fir, sea lavender and American winterberry. Poppy seed capsules and dried eucalyptus branches are the perfect gap fillers. If youHave rose bushes, then after the end of the flowering period these still formed buds that did not open. These buds can be dried and used as an accent for fall and winter arrangements.
Mini cyclamens in combination with mock berries and a hardy grass also look good in the hanging basket.
