Hello folks!
We made it through the winter! Yeah!
I live in a condo facing north. Such position requires me to select plants that don't need much sun BUT blooms a lot during the spring/summer season. By the way, the balcony receives about 3 hours of sunlight a day. Can you suggest some plants that would do well and look great on my balcony that is facing north?
Thanks!!
Suggestions requested!!
Hi and Welcome!
What time of day does your balcony receive sun cdplayer?
Cdplayer
I would think impatents would do realy will.
Even astilibies in a containes,and even hosta probly the blue ones that like deep shade.
Hope this helps.
Thank you Lilypon for replying! My balcony receives sun light from 1 to 5pm.
Cheers! :)
Hello digging_dirt!
I plan on having impatents this year, just not as many pots of them! :) I will have to check out what astililbies look like.
Thanks digging_dirt!
echoes
Apr 26, 2006
DigD's suggestions are good. I might add Browalia, Colleus, Caladiums, Begonias, ivy. Depending on how strong the few hours of sun is and where the plants would be situated. Perennials are great in planters, and foliage is important too. Maybe a few tropicals that you could take in for the winter.
Here's some pots I made up that sat in about the same amount of sunlight: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/545807/
Passiflora should also do well for you.
Gees echoes i havent grown colleus in years,Think im going to get some,Begonias thats the one i was tring to think of my mine went blank.
These were planted in the pots (repeat of some that echoes suggested):
Creeping Wire Vine, Maidenhair Vine, Mattress Vine 'Nana'
Muehlenbeckia axillaris http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/79393/
All sun loving Coleus:
Coleus, Painted Nettle 'Sedona'
Solenostemon scutellarioides
Coleus, Painted Nettle 'Tilt-a-Whirl'
Solenostemon scutellarioides
Coleus, Painted Nettle 'Kiwi Fern'
Solenostemon scutellarioides
etc.
Ipomoea batatas Sweet potatoes
Trachelium http://davesgarden.com/pf/search.php?search_text=Trachelium+&images_prefs=both&Search=Search
Cannas
Calla Lily Zantedeschia
Trifolium repens 'Dark Dancer' http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/101691/index.html
Black Mondo Grass http://davesgarden.com/forums/fp.php?pid=1522659
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/663/index.html It is a partial shade lover tho.
New Zealand Flax http://davesgarden.com/pf/search.php?search_text=New+Zealand+Flax&images_prefs=both&Search=Search
This message was edited Apr 26, 2006 11:30 AM
I would underscore the suggestion of begonias. I have a similar exposure on one of my two balconies (lucky me, that sold me on my house!) and I always have a tub of five tuberous begonias there. It's very showy, and the only danger they have is wind. They can be brittle and can snap off if you let the stems grow too high, with their big leaves acting like sails in a stiff breeze. Pinch the tops to encourage branching and keep them low (12-15"). Non-stops are good, or the double-camellia types. They love to be fed frequently.
Don't forget to add something for fragrance! I've grown heliotrope on that deck, and they're satisfied with that amount of light, although they prefer more. Pair them with yellow or orange marigolds for a striking colour contrast, or coral geraniums, and a trailer like creeping jenny, English ivy or dichondra.
Echoes - “DigD's suggestions are good. I might add Browalia, Colleus, Caladiums, Begonias”
Great selection Echoes! This year I want to plant things that have great foliage and nice flowers. Maybe I am asking for to much since my balcony doesn't get sun all day. :) Last Year I had Colleus I liked them very much!
Lilypon – Thank your the images of your designs. Very creative! Because of your images I have an idea of what the plants look like! :) :) You have given me >so much< information that I now have a headache! :)
andycdn – I am thanking you for reminding me to think about how I should arrange the plants NOT just going out there buying plants and putting them in pots! ;)
LOL oh well better to have too much info than too little........sending some asprin your way! ;)