A GREEN-FINGERED property expert has revealed the best plants for a flourishing balcony garden.
She said the amount of sunlight your home area receives and the weather conditions are important factors when deciding between plants.
Camilla Lesser is a property development specialist at the UK-based rental company Essential Life.
Speaking to The US Sun, she shared her unmissable tips for making the most of a small balcony.
WIND WARRIORS
Lesser said if you live in a high-rise apartment or townhouse, plants can add color and texture to your space.
She recommended considering how exposed your balcony is before opting for the more extravagant options.
She warned that gardens frequently hit by wind need plants that can withstand the elements.
“Strong winds can often dry out the soil, knock down tall plants and uproot flowers,” she said.
“Invest in beautiful plants like Hardy Geraniums, Hawthorn and Allium Christophii.
“They will add beautiful pops of color to your porches while also being more susceptible to windy weather conditions.”
SHADOW SURVIVORS
Lesser said it’s important to consider that compost and concrete can be heavy to avoid putting too much weight on your porch.
She recommended using lightweight plastic containers if your porch is fragile or small.
She said the shade the area receives is another factor to think about before deciding on plants.
“If it’s shady, choosing shade-loving plants like Snowdrops, Bellflowers, Siberian Bugloss and Hardy Cyclamen will make perfect additions to your balcony garden,” she said.
She added that not every plant needs full shade.
“Partial shade means plants only need three to six hours of shade per day, while plants in full shade need three hours or less,” she said.
Herbs like Lavender, Rosemary and Oregano will be perfect for filling your balcony with the sweet smell of summer.
Camila Lesser
“Primroses love morning sun but thrive best in partial or full shade, while begonias also do well in a variety of conditions.”
“If you want to grow some herbs too, parsley, chives, mint and coriander survive well in shady gardens – although a little sun every now and then isn’t a bad thing.”
SUNNY SHOWSTOPERS
While many homeowners like to soak up the sun’s rays, Lesser warned that some plants will burn if exposed to direct sun.
“Plants like petunias are real sun lovers and thrive in this environment, but make sure there is a small shelter to protect them from the rain,” she said.
“Creeping zinnias also make vibrant decorative plants for your porch as they are easy to care for and love growing in sunlight.
“Herbs like Lavender, Rosemary and Oregano will be perfect for filling your porch with the sweet smell of summer, alongside these beautiful flowers.”
She said peppers and peppers are among the vegetables that add color and receive direct sunlight.
Tomatoes, pumpkins and beans can also be grown on sunny balconies.
SPACE SAVERS
Lesser said homeowners with limited space for growing plants should invest in a trellis.
She said the paneling can add texture and color to porches.
“Opting for plants like Clematis, Ivy and Jasmine are some of the easiest plants to grow whilst livening up dull walls,” he added.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
