The first criterion to take into account when choosing your flowers is the exposure of your balcony:some plants like full sun, while others prefer coolness! So, if your balcony faces due north and is therefore not very bright in the afternoon, opt for climbing hydrangeas, for example. If your balcony benefits from optimal sunshine thanks to a southern or western exposure, prefer plants that need the sun, such as roses, lavender, star jasmine or even bamboo. Exposure to the wind is also very important:not all plants tolerate drafts!
You won't choose the same flowers for your balcony if you have a green thumb or if, on the contrary, you want to enjoy beautiful colors without spending hours pruning your plants. If you're looking for flowers that are easy to care for, look to hardy, perennial plants:they'll resist disease and forgetting to water well, and don't require repotting! Among the many varieties that meet these criteria, you can, for example, choose asters, columbines or the Mexican orange tree, a shrub with pretty white flowers. Also consider bulbous plants, such as crocuses and narcissus:just cut off the faded flowers and save the leaves for the following year! Geraniums do not need to be pruned, but should be watered regularly.
To avoid weariness and create a flowery balcony throughout the year, choose plants that do not all bloom at the same time, and play on the volumes. Hyacinths and tulips bloom, for example, in spring. The perennial purslane unfolds its flowers from June to October, while the autumn stonecrop brightens up your balcony from September.
