How To Plan A Balcony Garden

What’s the most important consideration when you’re planning what to plant on a balcony?

“The amount of light your balcony gets will affect your planting choices. South-facing areas should have plants which do well in the hot sun, whereas north-facing balconies will require shade-loving plants. If you need to know the aspect of your outside space, simply use a compass – these days you probably have one on your phone. Stand looking out onto your balcony. If you are facing east or west, you will have a partial garden. South facing means full sun. North facing means full shade.” – Will

What kind of plants work best in the sun?

“For a striking display, I’d plant some of the below in pots:

• Astrantia shaggy is an absolute showstopper. It has small jewel like white flowers reminiscent of pin cushions, surrounded by a greenish-white ruff. Astrantias provide lasting colour to balconies.
• Catmint has small purple flowers which contrast with fresh green leaves to offer soft and scented interest. Loved by pollinators, this plant has a long flowering period from early summer all the way into autumn.
• A bay tree surrounded by Australian daisies at the base is a great way to add varying height to your outside space and to frame a door. The daisies’ small flowers add a pop of white that fades to a soft pink.
• Dwarf mountain pines are almost indestructible and require little pruning. They provide interest throughout the year and have a lovely texture. They are an unusual yet architecturally striking addition to a balcony – I love them planted in a concrete style pot.” – Will

What kind of plants work best in the shade or semi shade?

“The best ones will thrive in low light but should also provide yearlong interest and be low maintenance. These are some suggestions which not only love being in the shade, but also add texture and varying heights to a balcony.

• The ‘Sweet Box’ is a year-round star. In the winter, it provides fragrant and visual interest and has glossy green leaves with sweet, small white flowers which are followed by black berries.
• The hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ is really impactful. The flowers start as a gentle lime green, developing to a soft white – perfect for a pot on a larger balcony. This hydrangea suits all aspects and brings a bit of colour to shady areas.
• The ‘Taxus Dome’ is brilliant for ensuring your balcony looks smart all year round. It provides sturdy structure to your outside space and is great planted in windowsill boxes. The leaves are like dark green needles and offer a strong backdrop to other plants in your scheme. This dome is an evergreen, meaning it always has colour.” – Will

What pots should you buy for drainage and/or weather resistance?

“The Elho reservoir pot is a sustainable and low maintenance option. The reservoir means you don’t need to worry about watering your plants too much or too little, so there’s one less thing to worry about. Pots with drainage holes prevent oversaturation of roots, or in other words overwatering, which can cause roots to rot. For something practical and pretty, we love the Bergs Copenhagen pots that come with drainage holes pre-drilled; they’re also frost-proof. High-quality materials and craftsmanship mean the pots will last from one generation to the next. Also, fibre clay looks like stone but is much lighter, so is a great option for balconies. These pots can be left outside all year because they are resistant to frost and UV rays. Concrete-style pots also allow the plants to shine. Often, they’re handmade and due to the natural variations of the material, shades, markings and air bubbles will differ across each one, making each one unique.” – Will

Is there an easy way to make different heights work?

“The general ‘rule of three’ works for any space. Three different-height plants grouped together will make an instant impact. Then, think about how to vary heights across your balcony. The odd tree or bamboo in a pot, plants on stands and a table, hanging pots and planters. And don't forget the wall – it's easy to drill brackets to install a vertical planter or simple hanging basket. Every surface is an opportunity.” – Hollie

How do you make window boxes work on a balcony?

“Window boxes are a great option for balconies. Slim, long, and weather resistant, just pop them along the wall or railings and plant with seasonal bedding plants – or even fruit like strawberries.” – Hollie

“Balconies are a great place to display and tend to your window box collections. Alternatively, consider our plant stands which will really allow them to shine.” – Will