As soon as the summer arrives there are those who start cleaning up the balcony with the same energy as those who prepare a tennis court before the final. And then we are there: those who would like a luxuriant green corner, full of color, but who have no time, neither desire, nor a sufficient green thumb to manage the most capricious plants of creation – exist, ask Boston’s fern beef – and those pearing flowers that will be offended to the first watering watering.
Fortunately, compromises exist, and to protect our accidents we find Some varieties of summer flowers, robust, generous and not at all snobbish, which will be able to transform even the most neglected balcony into a small urban Edenand they will do it with a speed that is incredible.
In the next paragraphs you will find a selection of flowers that you can also cultivate from scratch, even if your balcony should only take half a day of sunshine, even if you have to have a tendency to forget the annex until the day when the leaves will begin to implore pity.
Petunie
Petunie are among the most loved by lazy gardeners – and for good reasons. They grow quickly, resist heat and bloom for months, from May until late September. Trombetta flowers look like small vegetable confetti, available in a myriad of colors: from pure white to dark purple, passing through pink, red, blue and psychedelic streaks.
They prefer the sun full, but they also adapt to the half -shade. Two irrigation per week are enough in the cooler periods, and a little liquid fertilizer every 15 days. The varieties falling, like surfing, are perfect for those who want to create flowers of flowers that pour over the parapet.
Impatics
If your balcony looks to the north and the sun only passes through it, do not despair: the Wallerian impatics, also called “glass flowers”, are perfect for the shaded areas. Their name seems to suggest fragility, but in reality they are tireless flowers and will produce a flood of small pink, red, white or orange flowers, and they will never complain.
They grow well in the wide vases with rich soil, they love constant humidity, therefore they must be watered regularly, but without exaggerating. A little trick? Add a layer of vegetable mulch to preserve humidity and prevent the earth from drying out too quickly.
Geraniums
You say geranium and immediately think about the balconies of the mountain houses, overflowing with fire red flower or sugared almond pink. In reality, geraniums are not only a “nostalgic” choice, because they are also extremely practical: they resist the sun, tolerate the drought better than many other plants and continue to flourish throughout the summer with a constancy that envies, in addition to the fact that there are varieties both zonal (with round leaves and erect flowers) that falls (perfect for the highest balconies and suspended planters), for an excellent variety of choice. A deep vase, a good drainage and sunny exposure is all you need: even those who have always made basil die will be able to cultivate geranium florids.
Portlaca
Portulaca is a succulent plant that loves the sun like a lizard. It has small but lively flowers, in shades ranging from yellow to fuchsia, and opens only when the light is intense. The extraordinary thing is that it grows even in the poorest terrain and tolerates the drought very well, translated: you can start for the weekend and find it still in shape on your return (the only problem concerns the infesting character of the plant, therefore be careful).
Portulaca is easily propagated even alone, so once you have become familiar, you can get more seedlings starting from one.
Begonie
Another perfect flower for those who do not want to complicate their lives is certainly Begonia, especially the variety Semperflorensthe summer begons, which literally never stop. They bloom continuously from spring to autumn and are satisfied with a medium -sized vase and a light, but not excessively sunny exposure.
Their resistance is legendary, and are also perfect for those who live in the city, with the balconies exposed to smog. In addition, thanks to the cerful leaves and flowers with bright colors, they will immediately be able to give a well -kept air and cheerful even to the more bare terrace.
Verbena
If you want a balcony that not only is beautiful to look at, but also to be smelled, Verbena is an excellent choice. It produces small bunch flowers with a delicate and pleasant scent, loves the full sun, but also holds a few hours of shade well, the important thing is that the soil is well drained, because it fears the stagnation of water.
Just prune it slightly after the first flowering to encourage a second, even more generous. Add a pinch of fertilizer every two weeks and you will see surprising results.
Lobelry
Finally, a plant that is often underestimated but that deserves a special mention: Lobelia. With its tiny blue, white or purple flowers, it creates a cloud effect, almost ethereal. It is fine in the balcony boxes and in the hanging planters, where it can freely expand.
It grows quickly, loves the sun but also adapts well to half shadow and does not require special care, if not a regular irrigation and some touching to keep it compact.
The balcony is not a battlefield
Cultivating flowers on the balcony should not be an effort. There is no need for botanical vegetable garden, nor an agenda to remember every single pruning, because the right plants will be sufficient, a pinch of attention and some time outdoors. In return, you will receive color, perfume and – not a small thing – a space of your own in which to breathe, read, chat or simply idle.
Choose your favorites, prepare the vases and enjoy the show: your balcony will turn into a small green kingdom and you, without realizing it, will become the king of the garden. With little effort, but with great satisfaction.
