The balcony box on the south side is reserved for sun worshipers from the plant kingdom. However, a preference for sunshine alone is not enough to qualify for selection. Drought tolerance and limited growth height are also among the criteria. We have put together beautiful flowers, perennials and herbs from the illustrious circle for you here.
Which plants are suitable for a sunny flower box?
Hanging petunias, mannequins, dwarf snapdragons, tricolor morning glories and cockade flowers are suitable for a sunny flower box. Sun-loving herbs such as sage, purple chives, Greek oregano and spiced thyme also grow well. Combine these with small ornamental grasses for an attractive appearance.
Long-lasting blooms for the sunny flower box - a selection
Annual summer flowers impress with their never-ending flowering period, as if they were aware of their short lifespan. The following species and varieties will immerse your south-facing balcony in a sea of flowers:
- Hanging petunias, magic bells 'New Celebration': flowering period from May to October
- Männertreu 'Blue Carpet' (Lobelia erinus 'Blue Carpet'): flowering period from May to October
- Dwarf snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus pumilum): flowering period from June to October
- Tricolor morning glory (Convolvulus tricolor 'Ensign Mixture') for drooping flower cascades from July to October
- Double bicolor cockade flower (Gaillardia pulchella): flowering period from July to the first frost
If you want stability in the sunny flower box, combine perennials with annual flowers. A prime example of this design variant is cranesbill (geranium) with standing and hanging hybrids. The lavish flowering from May to November is repeated every year when frost-free winter quarters are available.
Sun-loving herbs for the south-facing balcony
Mediterranean herbs are ideal for flower boxes in full sun. A positive side effect is their robust drought tolerance, so you don't have to patrol the area with a watering can every day. The following species and varieties will give you a breathtaking flowering period and aromatic herb harvest in one fell swoop:
- Fire red sage 'Blaze of Fire' (Salvia splendens): flowering period from June to October
- Purple chives 'Forescate' (Allium schoenoprasum): flowering in May and June
- Greek oregano (Origanum heracleoticum): flowering period from July to September
- Small spice thyme 'Compactus' (Thymus vulgaris): blooms in May and June
So that Mediterranean herbs can develop their blooms and aroma perfectly, please fill the balcony box with special herbal soil (€6.00 on Amazon). The composition of this is tailored to the low nutrient requirements of the plants. Alternatively, organic vegetable soil, which you thin with a third of quartz sand or lava granules, is suitable.
Tip
Small ornamental grasses form a wonderful partnership with sun-loving flower beauties. Combine flowers and perennials in the sunny balcony box with (mosquito grass Bouteloua gracilis), heart grass (Briza media) or crested sedge (Carex comans) to create a relaxed appearance.
