My balcony is south-west facing 5 m2. Every year I try to fit as many flowers and plants as possible on it. My priority is the safety of my 4 cats, hence the net on the balcony and the selection of plants so that they are not toxic. I use the balcony all year round and I try to show that a potted garden can be an attractive place from early spring to late autumn.
I have both seasonal flowers and perennial plants on my balcony. The most exotic is bamboo, but the most delightful is pear tree, which gave as many as 6 delicious pears last year :) We are waiting for more this year:)