Morning Glories: Heavenly Blue with Pink Cleome, 1 by Seamus_tt

Seamus_tt wrote:
I live in a third-floor apartment that has a small balcony with a wooded view, but it also has a view of three other balconies, half a dozen air conditioning units, and a dog-walking area. On top of the noise and traffic that make enjoying the balcony difficult, the open end of the balcony faces southwest, and gets direct afternoon sunlight, which shines on a large glass sliding door, heating up the apartment.

Last summer, I tried a little experiment with morning glories, and it worked out really well. Using just a few windowbox-type planters and some twine, I managed to grow a green screening wall along that entire side of my balcony, which not only shielded me from seeing and hearing the noise and traffic of my rowdy neighbors, but it also provided shade from the afternoon sun, and lowered my cooling bill, too.

That was my first experience with growing morning glories (or plants of any kind, really). I learned a lot, and have some ideas for this year, once it warms up a bit.

(The photo is taken from a position seated in my chair on the balcony. The thickest part of the foliage grew in just the right place to provide screening where it mattered most.)