Flowers on the north balcony? It really is possible. We have some tips for you and introduce you to suitable plants.
Many people have a balcony instead of their own garden, which they would also like to plant nicely. The size of the balcony and its respective orientation are decisive for the choice of plants. As a rule, most of the balconies have a south, south-west or west orientation. This means that the sun shines here from midday. A much smaller proportion still has a south-east or east orientation (sun in the morning until noon).
Only north-facing balconies that have to do without direct sunlight are rather rare. Anyone who owns such a north-facing balcony and is also a passionate gardener is really being punished. Because flowers that bloom beautifully on a south-facing balcony would die miserably on a north-facing balcony. After all, this is a shade garden, which is why you should only equip it with shade plants.
Suitable plants for the north-facing balcony
Busy Lizzie (Impatiens Walleriana) - © Aggi Schmid / Stock.adobe.com
• undemanding • good growth • available in different colors
Fuchsia (Fuchsia) - © IKvyatkovskaya / Stock.adobe.com
• sprout particularly well in high humidity
Hydrangea (Hydrangea) - © EDEN / Stock.adobe.com
• Can be kept as a container plant on a north-facing balcony
Begonia (Begonia) - © Vikakurylo81 / Stock.adobe.com
• Bulbous and trailing begonias do well in the shade
Bellflower (Campanula) - © Anchasa / Stock.adobe.com
• does not like direct sunlight • hanging bellflowers suitable for balcony boxes
Astilbe (Astilbe) - © Elen31 / Stock.adobe.com
• perennial plant • robust • blooms over a long period of time if the soil is always moist
Boxwood (Buxus Sempervirens) - © Frank / Stock.adobe.com
• forms a nice contrast to the flowering plants on the north balcony
Fern (Polypodiopsida) - © Malkovkosta / Stock.adobe.com
• perennial plants • also look very nice on a balcony
Care instructions for the shaded balcony
Balcony plants that love shade aren't all that different from traditional plants. Nevertheless, there are a few things to consider here.
» casting:
Plants grown in a shady balcony generally require much less water than plants that thrive in a sunny balcony. You can tell whether a shade plant needs water or not by looking at the soil. Just stick your finger in. If the soil is damp, you don't need to water yet.
Important: If you water the plants, you should make sure that there is no waterlogging. The water doesn't evaporate as quickly on a north-facing balcony.
» pluck withered flowers:
In some plant species, plucking off the faded flowers usually encourages the formation of new flowers. Since shade plants have a harder time developing fully, you should always pluck the withered blossoms and leaves from all balcony plants.
» Overwintering:
Almost all balcony plants have to be protected very well in the winter months. It is best to cover your plants with garden fleece or jute. You should also place potted plants on a styrofoam plate and cover the pot with bubble wrap and then with a burlap sack.