It is quite difficult to grow evergreen plants for balcony, patio or garden. Mostly people prefer vegetables and herbs for the balcony. However, plants like evergreen hibiscus, California poppies, California poppy and creeping Japanese tree blight are ideal for apartment garden or terrace.
There are many reasons why plants are used as landscape ornaments. Flowers attract bees and butterflies; some are pollinated by wind. They can be a symbol of an evergreen garden or a source of beauty and serenity. You can also choose evergreen plants for balcony for different seasons. These are most beautiful during winter season, as they are able to withstand frost and other harsh conditions. Some flowers such as evergreen hydrangeas can be grown all year long, even in fall and winter.
Some important types of evergreen plants for balcony are selected to suit your garden. Hosta and Java ferns are evergreen plants with straight upright stems. Hosta is a perennial herb that grows up to three feet tall. Java ferns are also known as blue star fern which is able to grow up to three feet tall. Both of these types of plants are perfect for apartment gardening and you can place them either in a hanging pot or a planter.
Drought resistant evergreen plants are preferred over other kinds of plants. They can tolerate minor moisture or drought and won’t wilt under the extreme condition. These evergreen plants are best placed on decks, balconies and patio walls. You should check your local climate before growing any kind of plants for balcony.
Different flowers have different requirements to grow well in your area. For example, sun-loving flowers will grow better with shorter hours of sunlight, whereas flowering evergreen plants like tulips, peonies and clematis require full sun for good color production. The flowering season of tulips depends on whether it is a cold or hot season. Cold season tulips and clematis flower during late winter and early spring, while tulips and peonies flower during late summer and early fall.
Evergreen plants for balcony need minimal care and maintenance. However, there are some special precautions to remember when you are growing any kind of evergreen plants for balcony. Make sure you mulch the plants for winter protection. You can place this mulch right in the soil around the base of the evergreen plant to retain moisture and prevent it from drying out. Make sure you remove the mulch before the first frost in order to ensure the evergreen plant has enough moisture for thriving during the winter months.
Most evergreen plants for balcony need some shade. It is best to plant this type of flowering plants in partial to full shade for the best results. You can achieve this by building the trellis in such a way that it slants slightly towards the direction of the sun. This will give the plant direct sunlight without the need to block its access to the sunny side of the building. You may also consider planting evergreen plants for balcony that are in pots.
Choose flowering plants that require little maintenance. It is recommended that you prune these plants once a year to maintain their appearance. Most plants can survive pruning. If you want to enjoy the benefits of pruning, select plants that are less than four inches tall. Pruning may not be necessary if you are growing these plants in large pots.
The amount of sunlight needed by plants to thrive is critical for success. Choose evergreen plants for balcony that are accustomed to different types of climates. They should be able to tolerate temperature changes, especially during the summer. Choose plants that have dark green foliage, as light colored foliage will block the sunlight and reduce the amount of time they spend in the sun.
Choose evergreen plants for balcony that are drought tolerant. Most flowering plants require a minimum of one inch of water per week for optimal health. Drought tolerance is enhanced if you choose evergreen plants that are container species. Some of these species can survive in all kinds of outdoor conditions. Choose plants that do not require a lot of maintenance. A lush green lawn may look impressive, but it is difficult to maintain.
Choose evergreen plants for balcony that are fast growing. Fast growing plants will achieve the longest span among all flowering plants. Choose plants that have terminal growth. These have very short lived roots. Terminal growth gives a continuous flow of nutrients throughout the plant’s lifetime.