Allotments 4 All

Can anyone help me find the perfect plants for a small balcony?

My flat is the top floor of a weathered stone house in Peterborough Cathedral green. The balcony is the top of the downstairs neighbour's bay window, outside a north-facing second floor window of my flat. It's about 2.5 ft deep, and 5 ft wide nearest the window, reducing to 3 ft wide at the far edge. I could reach most of it by a watering can. There is a 1ft 'wall' around the balcony so there is some shelter from the wind, and it has drainage. It's lined with lead, and is strong enough to take pots.

Ideally:

A fetching cascade from the balcony which doesn't spatter passing tourists and clergy in petals or leaves (the far side would be too far away to harvest e.g. tumbling toms)
Scale: the display should be architecturally in keeping with the scale of the building, so elegant rather than 'frilly'.
Year round interest
Scent
Nothing too tall (it would block the light to the window)

I wouldn't mind fiddling with plants during the summer, so either annuals or perennials would fit the bill (sweet peas? Ivy?). And I'm not fussy about colour. But I really don't know where to start and would really appreciate expert advice from flower people. Can you help please?

If you want more info or pictures, just ask! Thank you :-*

How much sun does it get? If it's sunny, herbs in pots would be useful. That's probably not what you're thinking of though.

From Easter to September it gets plenty of sun.

Herbs are a brilliant idea Robert, rather than having down three flights of stairs for a sprig! Any and all ideas welcome, please feel free to play fantasy balconies :D

How about trailing geraniums?
There is an Hotel on the front here which has a stunning display every summer. It uses all one colour but you could go mad and do anything you fancied!
Best of luck, SS, will keep giving it thought throughout the day.Your situation sounds idyllic.
M. :) :) :)

Thank you Emagggie, please keep thinking :) Which is your front?
It stopped raining, so I could take a picture of the house. I have the top flat with the two small windows - and the balcony :D

It's obviously not trailing but a lovely bamboo in a pot would certainly give year-round interest and mine grow great in pots on my semi-shady steps in wet and windy Scotland!

North-facing, scent, year round interest - you're not asking much are you!   ;)  Ok I'd go for variegated ivy, Euonymus Fortunei 'Silver Queen' and Helichrysum for year round interest - all are trailing.  For scent and colour you could try dwarf or trailing Sweet peas, Woodruff 'blue mist' or Lupin 'sweet pea scented'.  Herb wise flat leaf Parsley, Garlic Chives and Mint are all happy in semi-shade and if you have room there are loads of scented bulbs which are happy in semi-shade too.

G xx

Hoped you'd have some ideas for Window Greens G ;D

Quote from: Georgie on April 13, 2006, 18:19:58
There are loads of scented bulbs which are happy in semi-shade too.

Except for alliums, I have never grown bulbs, so pleeeeease give me a list of families and favourites!
Thank you all, the list is growing nicely :-*
SSxx

Most of the spring bulbs; there are exceptions like crown imperials. The ones from temperate countries are usually woodland plants which get things over quick before the cover gets too dense in summer.

It's an elegant and symmetrical building and I think that any planting should reflect both the symmetry and the restrained elegance.  A bay tree either side of the window would be elegant, useful! - and expensive?

I like the idea of 2 bamboos, tho.

Nothing trailing over the balcony, cos I think that that would spoil the lines of the building, especially as there isn't a second balcony to balance it out. I'd keep other permanent planting to herbs, herbs and more herbs (including bush purple sage and rosemary) - I, too, have to do the 200metres dash for a culinary sprig ;)

That does sound good lish (esp. the restrained elegance bit), a formal topiary garden up on the second floor (box, bay, herbs) would be fragrant and evergreen too, wouldn't it? I'll mull over the cascade/no cascade question a little more carefully in the light of your comments.

Shame there's no room for a maze :'( ;D

Hey SS, how about  some nice tasteful Fuchsias?(Trailing or otherwise)
It looks a lovely place to live. You could be really regal on that balcony !!
My front is Southend-on-Sea, and on a good day, having coffee and a toasted teacake whilst overlooking the Estuary is very nice. ;D
M.

Fuschias now, I remember getting into hot water as a youngster for 'popping' them (irrestistible to little fingers lol ;D) But they can be hardy, can't they?

Quote from: Emagggie on April 14, 2006, 00:01:51
You could be really regal on that balcony !!

The top floor was where the domestics lived ::)

You can tell that's the servants' territory because the windows are smaller. Are the ceilings lower as well?

Yes, I can just touch the ceilings without standing on tiptoes. The ceilings in every room slope down under the roof, so charming! (rubs head) :-X ;D

...how about some pots of night scented stock? The perfume is irresistable and wafting through your window on a summer evening ...........

I'm sure I've got a pack of the seeds if you want them.

Debs

Bet they were really regal servants.... ;D ;D ;D


When is THE birthday, do tell.............?