Wake your dreary, lifeless balcony on the north side from its slumber. The selection of flowering and green ornamental plants for low-light locations is larger than you think. Find out here which flowers, perennials and grasses adorn a shady flower box.
Which plants are suitable for a flower box on the north side?
Shade-tolerant plants such as fuchsias, begonias and sweet lilies are suitable for a flower box on the north side. Combined with small plants such as men's faithful, elf spur, mini petunias and blue daisies, a lush appearance is created. Complete the whole thing with foliage and structural plants for a harmonious overall picture.
Cool shade is their elixir of life – flowers and perennials for the north side
Special qualities are required for life on the cool, shady north side. The following flowers and perennials only show their most beautiful side when they are spared from the blazing sun:
- Fuchsias (Fuchsia), delight with fascinating bell, trumpet and tubular flowers from spring to autumn
- Begonias (Begonia), the lavish permanent bloomers for the low-light balcony box on the north side
- Edellieschen (Impatiens hybrids New Guinea group) and busy Lizzies (Impatiens walleriana)
In the creatively designed flower box, fuchsias, begonias and impatiens take on the function of a leading plant. For a lush appearance, combine smaller and elegantly hanging plants. Ideal candidates are Man's Faithful (Lobelia erinus), Fairy Spur (Diascia), Mini Petunias (Calibrachoa) and Blue Daisies (Brachyscome multifida).
Green and structural plants – perfect accompaniment for flowering balcony plants
With ornamental leaf plants you can elegantly round off the creative planting in the balcony box for the north side. The following beauties impress with decoratively colored leaves or attractive leaf structures that console the inconspicuous flowers:
- Coleus (Solenostemon) boasts colorful, delicate decorative leaves from summer to autumn
- Dark Günsel 'Black Scallop' (Ajuga reptans) with dark red, shiny leaves and good winter hardiness
- Purple spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides), whose green leaves on red stems turn purple in winter
- Blue mini hosta (Hosta hybrid 'Blue Mouse Ears') scores with blue leaves that are reminiscent of mouse ears
Shade-tolerant ornamental grasses should not be missing from the imaginative planting plan. Small species and varieties that blend harmoniously into the overall floral picture are recommended. Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), shade sedge (Carex umbrosa) and white grove ledges (Luzula nivea) are just three examples from a wide range of grasses for the north-facing balcony box.
Tip
The less light illuminates the north side of the house, the more difficult it is to choose plants. White-flowering plants are particularly recommended for a flower box in the shade. White reflects even the smallest amounts of light so that vital photosynthesis can take place.
