How to protect the balconyfrom the wind, the eyes of neighbors and the hustle and bustle of the street? Here are the top 5 balcony and patio cover plants that will provide some discretion and tranquility. They include both delicate annuals and permanent perennial climbers. Some can handle full sun, while others can handle shade. Among these offers everyone will find something for themselves!
Plants protecting the balcony - virginia creeper
Fig. depositphotos.com
Plants covering the balconycan perform various functions: they separate from the street or a neighbor, divide a larger balcony into zones or cover little decorative elements, e.g.a railing or an antiquated wall. Depending on the needs, we can choose annual or perennial species. It is important to choose the appropriate supports for the climbers to the possibilities and needs of the selected plants.
How to shade a balcony - purple wolf
Purple wolf(Ipomea purpurea) is an annual, herbaceous climbing plant belonging to the convolvulaceae family. Wilec forms 3-4 m, flexible shoots and a large green mass. Decorative, dark green leaves are heart-shaped and set on long petioles. The wolf's great ornament are large, funnel-shaped, single flowers, which, depending on the variety, can come in the following colors: white, pink, purple or red. The plant blooms for a long time, from July to the first frost.
Purple wolf - Ipomea purpurea
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Purple Wilec prefers light, alkaline and fertile soils. It grows well in both sun and partial shade, making it aperfect screening plant for a balcony Requires regular watering, but does not tolerate water stagnation. Plants can be multiplied by sowing seeds in March in pots placed in a warm place (e.g. on a window sill) or in May directly into pots. Keep a distance of 15-20 cm between the plants. The purple wolf works well with pergolas, and also nicelycovers balcony railings
How to cover a balcony - climbing nasturtium
Climbing Nasturtium(Tropaeolum majus) is an annual climbing plant belonging to the Tropaeolaceae family. Nasturtium creates a thicket of discoid, dark green leaves and fiery red or orange flowers. Decorative, large flowers can be admired throughout the summer and fall.
Climbing Nasturtium - Tropaeolum majus
Fig. depositphotos.com
A sunny, quiet place and a well-drained humus substrate are a guarantee of success in the cultivation of nasturtium.Climbing nasturtium does not require special care, it is enough to water it regularly, but not too much. If we use a slow-acting fertilizer for flowering plants when planting plants, we do not need to use any fertilizers afterwards. Nasturtium is propagated by sowing seeds directly into boxes in May or in March if we want to produce seedlings. Nasturtium sprouts up to 3 m long, wrapping around the railings,cover the balcony from the streetThey are also a wonderful decoration!
How to cover the balcony - Japanese hops
Japanese hops(Humulus japonicus) is a decorative plant native to Japan and China. This one-year climber grows very quickly, reaching a length of 3-4 m. Large, deeply divided hop leaves are intensely green in color, although varieties with multicolored and speckled leaves have also appeared. Decorative, scaly cones appear in summer.
Japanese hops - Humulus japonicus
Fig. depositphotos.com
Japanese hops grows bestin semi-shaded places, although it will also cope with full sun. Requires fertile, light and moist soil. It requires a weekly supply with fertilizers for plants with ornamental leaves, for example. Japanese hops are propagated from seedlings by sowing seeds in March or April. We place the pots, for example, on a window sill, and at the end of May, after prior hardening, we plant young plants in their destination. Plants are regularly watered and fed with universal multi-component fertilizers. This fast-growing climberperfectly covers pergolas or trellises , creating a dense green wall.
How to shade a balcony - Virginia creeper
Virginia Creeper(Parthenocissus quinquefolia), also known as wild wine, is a perennial climber that occurs naturally in America. It is a vigorous plant with very durable shoots up to 20 m in length. The greatest decoration of virginia creeper are palmate, shiny, dark green leaves, which in autumn turn orange, red or maroon.In September, navy blue berries appear, beautifully contrasting with the colorful leaves. The fruit lasts all winter and is a delicacy for birds.
Virginia Creeper
Virginia Creeper works well in sunny and semi-shaded places. Plants are planted in large pots with a capacity of 10-30 liters. The soil should be humus, fertile and moist. Virginia creeper must be regularly watered and fertilized. It is worth mulching the soil in the pot to prevent water evaporation.
The plant should be propagated in autumn by woody cuttings or in spring by layering. When planted against supportsVirginia Creeper creates a nice green barrierIt can also be grown on a wall-mounted grate, shielding a not-so-pretty facade. Virginia creeper is frost-resistant (plant frost resistance zone 5A) and can be planted all over the country. For the winter, it is worth protecting the pot by wrapping it with heat-insulating material.
How to cover a balcony - large-flowered clematis
The large-flowered clematis(Clematis x hybrida), popularly known as clematis, is one of the most beautiful flowering perennial vines. Single or full clematis flowers have a wide range of colors, from white to pink and red to purple. We distinguish early varieties, flowering from May and late flowering in June. Delicate clematis shoots grow up to 3 m in length.
Clematis - Clematis
Fig. pixabay.com
Pots for clematis must be large , with a capacity of at least 20 liters. Plants are planted in the spring or autumn slightly deeper than they grew in the pot. Clematis grows best in a fertile, humus and slightly moist soil. Light-flowered varieties require a semi-shade position, while those with darker flowers grow well in full sun.Regular watering and fertilizing (e.g. with fertilizers dedicated to clematis) are essential for clematis. It is equally necessary to prune the plants. The late varieties are cut in spring, and the early varieties are pruned after the first flowering.
Clematis are quite frost-resistant plants (depending on the species and variety, they may belong to plant frost resistance zones 4-9), but young plants should be protected by placing pots on a rootstock and wrapping them with insulating material. One cannot forget about the grids on which the clematis can climb,creating a beautiful flowering wall
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
