Containers

• Think about the style of pots you want to plant up and whether you are going to mix materials or have one main type. There are many to choose from - clay (terra cotta), wood, glazed ceramic, wrought iron, resin, plastic, and concrete - in every size and colour.
• Ensure that there is a drainage hole in the bottom so water can escape, as well as a saucer.
• Plant on a layer of gravel or broken pot shards in the bottom of your container to cover the drainage hole and Parkwood™ Premium Potting Mix, our specially formulated soil for hanging baskets and pots.

What to Plant

• Window boxes look great along the railing and give you the opportunity to use upright annuals like Heliotrope, Nicotiana, Sunshine Impatiens, and Geraniums with lots of trailing plants in front. Choose from Licorice Vine, Trailing Lobelia, Bacopa, Blackie Potato Vine, or Trailing Verbena.
• If your exposure is facing south or west, be sure to water often during the hottest part of summer or plant more drought tolerant annuals like Portulaca, Gazania, Dusty Miller, Lantana, and Swan River Daisy.
• Any annual can be used in a container as long as you consider its light preference and keep its full size in mind so it will remain in proportion with the size of the pot.

Hanging Baskets

• Look great on sidewalls, you can install attractive brackets to hang the baskets.
• Sunshine Impatiens can handle full sun but need a lot of watering. Position them to receive morning sun only to avoid burnt leaves.
• Ivy Geraniums are more appropriate for the full blast of afternoon sun and heat.
• For partial shade try Fuchsia, Trailing Lobelia, or Shade Impatiens.
• Non-stop/Angel-wing Begonias are the best hanging baskets for heavy shade.

Herbs

• Basil, Chives, Parsley, Thyme, Oregano, and French Tarragon are easily grown in containers.
  Or
• Buy a strawberry pot with several herb varieties already planted that you can plant up yourself in future years.

Large Containers

• A large balcony affords the opportunity to work with larger containers.
• Try a half whiskey barrel or two, and plant some larger specimens that would look attractive 12 months of the year. Try small standard trees like Weeping Peashrub, Cranberry Cotoneaster, Euonymus, or grafted evergreens, always keeping proportion and light in mind.
• Under plant your tree with a perennial or evergreen ground cover.
• If it’s sunny, establish Dwarf Japanese or Blue Chip Junipers to cascade over the sides.
• For shade, plant Wintercreeper or Bearberry Cotoneaster.
• You can also under plant with a variety of annuals or smaller scale perennials for colour all summer long.
• A large container also makes it possible to grow vines because you can set a trellis or obelisk right into the pot. Now you have a vertical support for growing annual Morning Glory, Sweet Peas, Moon Vine, or Cup and Saucer Vine as well as perennial Clematis.
• The keys to success with over-wintering are to place the barrel(s) away from winter wind (or move it against an inner wall in autumn) and water very heavily in late November and again in late March. Since natural precipitation doesn’t collect enough to keep a root ball moist in any container, big or small, test the soil regularly or invest in a moisture meter. Be sure to drill holes in the bottom of a barrel, line it with 5 cm (2") of gravel, and raise it off the floor. This allows air circulation and drainage so the roots won’t rot.

House Plants

• House plants not only look beautiful but will benefit significantly from being outside for the warmer months.
• Initially, place the plant in shade and move it gradually from low light to high light over 10 days so the leaves won’t burn. Anything you bring outside onto your balcony will need to be sprayed with an insecticidal soap before returning it inside. The soil will also need to be treated with a powder for soil-dwelling insects.
• Position a Palm or Ficus Benjamina in a shaded corner.
• Tropical Hibiscus, in bush or tree form will bloom profusely if placed in the sun.

Accessories

• Patio furniture or bench
• Patio umbrella
• Small fountain
• Wall fountain
• Decorative plaques or wall planters
• Make your balcony a special oasis of colour, fragrance, and foliage and enjoy all the benefits of gardening even with a limited space.