Balcony Gardening
Adapted from the training by
Carole Beach
A well loved lesson from past growing season is now available
at your fingertips as a resource when you need it.
High rise balcony gardening is a different type of gardening.
You are planting in an area that can have desert heat and gale force winds.
Organize and Plan
1. Be sure your plan adheres to condo rules.
terraces are not to be used for storage
all items must remain stationary during strong winds
no items are to be thrown or dropped from any terrace
2. Measure your space and assess your expectations for your balcony. Prioritize space for your favorite activities, grill, sit, serve, observe, etc.
3. Design your space. Do you want to show off, hide, grow cutting flowers, have edible plants, have a low maintenance garden?
Themes to Try
A kitchen garden: vegetables, fruits and herbs, on a sunny balcony.
A butterfly garden: flowers that butterflies adore, likes part to full sun.
A shade-loving fernery: shade-loving plants, away from the direct sun.
Containers of tall flowers: great for cut flowers, typical full sun.
A succulent garden: heat-loving cactus and succulents require little water.
A herbal tea garden: herbs that can be used to make tea,
such as peppermint, sage, spearmint, chamomile, lemongrassA scented flower garden: heliotrope, lavender, roses, rosemary
For drying: statice, lavender, babies breath, coneflower
Color-themed: grow your sports/school colors in a garden
Exposure
The two most important factors are
Wind and Sun
Wind
The higher up you are, the colder and windier it will be.
Wind is even more devastating than relentless sun.
Stake, support and tie up planters and most plants.
Caution for broad leafed and tall plants. Palms and grasses work well.
Sun
Western or afternoon sun is hotter than any other exposure. A northern exposure often offers full shade. The amount of overhang you have will also play a part in your choices of plants - you won't be getting the benefit of rain.
South – little shade, lots of sun
North – lots of shade, evening sun
West – morning shade, afternoon and evening sun, heat in afternoon
East – morning sun, afternoon shade
Protective Dynamics
Use a variety of heights with the biggest at the back (and closest to the railing) so smaller ones in the front are protected from the wind.
David and Larry- North Tower
Containers
Unglazed terracotta planters dry out faster so put them inside a decorative pot.
Plastic resin needs hole in bottom for drainage if planting directly inside.
Wood can also be secured to railings by screwing in an eye hook and looping a
short length of chain or rope through the eye and around the railing.
“Coco” liners tend to dry soil and drainage is a problem
Storing empty containers in the winter?
To leave them outside, line planters with 1/2-to-2-inch sheets
of Styrofoam that will absorb moisture and save them from freeze-thaw shattering.
TURN THEM UPSIDE DOWN so they do not collect water. Take out dirt.
Color and Design
Think of the balcony as a way to frame a view…..a painting from the interior of your apartment. Create a palette that harmonizes with the interior or makes a pleasing contrast. Some recommend a 4 color limit.
DESIGN – Containers need 3 levels of plant height
THRILLER (tall)- Spikes, grasses, palms
FILLER (fills in the container) - colorful plants
SPILLER (falls down outside the container)- sweet potato vine, vinca, trailing petunas, ivy
Vines can be thriller or spiller:
Mandevilla
Tradescantia
Nasturtiums
Choosing Plants
Select plant varieties with the wind, sun exposure
unique to your balcony, and design in mind.
Tailor your choices to what will flourish in your space.
In Chicago, zone 6 plants will do best.
Recommended Varieties
Herbs
Basil
Thyme
Oregano
Cilantro
Chives
Parsley
Garlic
Annuals and Perennials for Color
Petunias (sun)
Pansies (withstands cold in spring)
Geraniums (DEAD HEAD)
Impatiens (shade, water)
Mums (sun)
Coreopsis or daisy (sun, DEAD HEAD)
Alyssum (sun or shade)
Dianthus, Sweet William (part sun – DEAD HEAD)
Portulaca (sun, low maintenance)
Begonia (shade)
Snap Dragon (sun)
Fushsia (shade)
Coral Bells (shade)
Marigolds (sun)
* Deadhead=remove withered blooms
Vegetables & Edible Flowers
Green Onion
Cherry Tomato
Lettuce
Strawberries
Hot Peppers
Pansies
Nasturtiums
Lavender
Roses
Marigolds
Subtle Color- go green
Arborvitae
Lemon Cypress AKA Goldcrest Wilma
Euonymus
Spikes
Asparagus fern
Palms
Sweet Potato Vine (green or red)
Tradescantia (Wandering Jew, Purple Heart)
Ivy
Dusty Miller
Favorite Greens
Arborvitae
Holly
shades of green
screens your view
blocks wind
Succulent Garden
Sempervivum
Aeonium
Carruanthus
Conophytum
Sedum
Rosularia
Prenia
Orostachys
X Mangave
Haworthia