On the winter balcony, the flower box becomes a stage for frost-resistant plants with evergreen foliage. Winter bloomers and fruiting perennials boast colorful flowers and bright berries. You can find out here which plants you should plant in your balcony boxes for winter hardiness.
Which plants can I use for winter-hardy balcony boxes?
Heather plants such as 'Kramers Rote' and 'White Perfection', Christmas roses (Helleborus niger) in various varieties, the white scented violet (Viola odorata 'Alba'), the red carpet berry (Gaultheria procumbens) and the cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dammeri 'Coral Beauty').
Classic on the winter balcony - colorful heather plants
Heather plants owe their nimbus as stylish winter plants for the balcony to their frost-hardy species and varieties. Winter heather is one of the few deciduous trees that you can cultivate in a flower box. From December to April, flocks of small flowers unfold, contrasting impressively with the evergreen leaves. The focus is on the two premium varieties 'Kramers Rote' and 'White Perfection' (Erica x darleyensis), which maintain an ideal growth height of 30 to 35 cm.
Picturesque flowers in the snow – winter queen Christmas rose
The Christmas rose enchants us in the midst of ice and snow with white and delicate pink flowers, accompanied by lush green, hand-shaped decorative leaves. At least for one winter season, the magical perennial likes to hold court in a flower box on the balcony. Helleborus species only reach their legendary age of 25 years in beds. The following varieties immerse the winter balcony in a sea of flowers:
- Snow rose, Christmas rose (Helleborus niger), the classic with pure white cup flowers from January to March
- November Christmas rose 'Praecox' (Helleborus niger) with an extra long flowering period from November to March
- Christmas rose 'Double Ellen Picotée' delights with double, ruffled flowers in white and purple from November
- Christmas rose 'Black Swan' boasts double, dark crimson flowers from November to March
Combine the snow rose with the white fragrant violet (Viola odorata 'Alba'), which, at a delicate 10 to 15 cm, lies decoratively at the feet of the royal Christmas rose and puts on its flower dress from February.
Shimmering leaves and red berries for the winter flower box - this is how it works
The planting plan for hardy balcony boxes is only complete when it contains evergreen decorative fruit plants. The ranking is led by the red carpet berry (Gaultheria procumbens). After a promising flowering period in late summer, bright red berries appear in winter above shiny green, oval leaves. Thanks to a growth height of 10 to 20 cm and a frost hardiness of up to -24.5 degrees Celsius, the elegant small tree will remain loyal to you throughout the winter.
The cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dammeri 'Coral Beauty') should not be missing in the winter flower box, because its cascades of evergreen foliage and red berries attract everyone's attention. The beautiful, hardy small tree with tendrils up to 60 cm long is suitable as a permanent guest in the flower box. At any time of year, its carpet of leaves acts as a green canvas for flowers and perennials of the current season.
Tip
Once the Christmas rose has finished its winter blossom festival in the flower box, put the perennial in the bed. It particularly likes the shade of deciduous trees. If you combine the local Helleborus niger with roses in the front garden, for example, you will welcome your guests with picturesque floral greetings all year round.
