With the onset of cold weather, the balcony loses its bright colors and becomes gray and boring. But should only empty pots be stored here until spring? Of course not!In this articleWe have already shown you a few ideas about what you can plant in the balcony boxes in winter. Andthere are suggestions herefor beautiful winter bloomers that enrich the balcony with flowers even in the cold season. Now we will focus on hardy dwarf shrubs and coniferswhat care evergreen plantsneeded for the balcony in winter.
Evergreen deciduous shrubs are a very practical choice for the balcony in winter. They are generally undemanding and do not require any special care. Their big advantage is that they don't lose their leaves in autumn and stay green all winter long. Some varieties also produce beautiful berries.
The evergreen boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) is a classic evergreen that can be easily cut into various shapes. A small boxwood ball, for example, looks good next to the balcony sofa.
If you are looking for flowering, winter-hardy small shrubs for planters, the finger bush (Potentilla fruticosa), the heather (Calluna vulgaris) and the small-leaved periwinkle (Vinca minor) are perfect.
The Grape Heath (Leucothoe Walteri), also known as grape myrtle, blooms in early spring with small white panicles. The leaves of this plant are also a real eye-catcher. Over the course of the year they change from bronze to striking red.
A very beautiful hardy plant for the balcony in winter is the spindle bush (Euonymus). Euonymus fotrunei “Coloratus” or Euonymus fotrunei “Emerald & Gold” impress with beautiful, colorful leaves and can withstand temperatures down to minus 35 degrees. A bonus: at low temperatures their leaves turn pink-purple.
The mock berry (Gaultheria reclining) also has a lot to offer! The evergreen dwarf shrub reaches a height of up to 15 cm and is perfectfor pots and flower boxes. The unusual berries are red, pink or white and remain on the plant all winter.
The Himalayan slimeberry is also a chic winter bloomer(Sarcococca hookeriana), which impresses with wonderful, vanilla-scented white flowers from January to March.
Evergreen plants for the balcony - coniferous trees in dwarf forms
Coniferous trees are of course the first choice when it comes toPlants for the balconyin winter, as they withstand cold and snow well. The dwarf mountain pine (Pinus mugo), for example, shows excellent resistance to frost, drought and pollution and also does not grow too large. Some Pinus mugo varieties turn gold and orange in late fall.
The dwarf sugarloaf spruce (Picea glauca) grows pyramid-shaped and very slowly. Two very interesting varieties are‘Sander’s Blue’and‘Sun of the Sky’®,which fascinate with blue-green needles or light yellow shoots.
The many species of arborvitae (Thuja) are also popular conifers for pots. Their compact growth habit enables the creation of green privacy walls - they look good in individual pots as well as in an elongated planter.
Similar compositions can be made with the columnar juniper (Juniperus), although creeping varieties are also suitable for containers. Another interesting evergreen plant species for the balcony is the dwarf thread cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera) - a fast-growing dwarf conifer with a slightly drooping habit.
Decorative grass on the balcony in winter
A special oneDecoration for the winter balconyalso represent ornamental grasses that grow easily in pots and boxes. If they dry out after the season, do not cut the stems, but leave them in this state until spring so that they rustle gently on snowy days and nights. Decorative grasses covered with frost also look particularly beautiful.
Tips for caring for plants on the balcony in winter
Prepare the planters
Although you can place the pots anywhere, it is best to place them where the plants on the balcony will receive as much light as possible during the winter months. This ensures the foliage stays green and healthy.
If possible, ensure that containers and pots do not come into direct contact with the ground, especially during frost. If the material is not frost-proof, cracks can quickly occur.
If you have tall and slim planters, make sure they cannot fall over in strong winds. And if you do buy new ones, opt for sturdy designs with enough weight.
Frost-resistant conifers or evergreen plants that can easily withstand winter in the garden sometimes die on the balcony. Why? Most often this happens for two reasons:excessive watering and overcooling of the roots.
Watering plants on the balcony in winter
Watering plants on a cold winter balcony is rarely necessary. Most plants are dormant in winter, they have no shoot growth and flowering, so they require minimal watering. Basically:
– The lower the temperatures, the less often you have to water.
– Do not water on time, but only when necessary – when the soil is completely dry.
– If possible, water on mild days and with lukewarm water.
– It is best to water in the morning so that the water can evaporate by evening.
Winterize plants on the balcony
Evergreen shrubs, both deciduous and coniferous, should be protected from frost. To ensure that the roots are not affected by strong temperature fluctuations, you should insulate the pots with fleece, Styrofoam, bubble wrap or thick cardboard. If you want a natural look, you can then wrap the protected vessels in jute bags or place them in wicker baskets.
When frost decorates the plants
Idea for balcony planting in winter: yellow calluna, pink berries and ornamental grass
Homemade plugs for balcony boxes
Warm light makes the balcony more cozy in winter
