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What can my daughter grow on a shady balcony

(12 Posts)
HurdyGurdy Sat 25-Apr-20 19:58:14

My daughter and granddaughter live in a second floor flat, with a generous balcony. However, at the moment they only have sun until around 11am and then it's all shade.

Usually my granddaughter has a go at growing stuff in our garden, but at the moment, that can't happen. I am attempting to look after her veg and flowers for now (and I'm a novice!)

They'd like to have something growing on their balcony, but I have no idea what to suggest. They want flowers rather than fruit/veg

What would you suggest? Obviously it's got to be container grown, so would be in compost, and not any particular type of soil.

merlotgran Sat 25-Apr-20 20:08:20

Bizzy Lizzies do well in shade and provide some good colour. Ferns would be OK as well and some of the Japanese grasses like

merlotgran Sat 25-Apr-20 20:09:01

Hakonechloa.

Getting hold of plants might be tricky though. Try eBay.

shysal Sat 25-Apr-20 21:03:27

I agree that Busy Lizzies would do well, or Fuschias, or Petunia Tidal Wave if you can get them. Delivery is taking longer but plants are available on line.
If you want a real splash, but they cost more, how about Clematis towers? Apparently they do all right in shade.
I hope you find something that they like and will enjoy.

Clematis towers idealworld.tv

HurdyGurdy Sun 26-Apr-20 07:36:51

Thank you - especially Shysal, for the link to the Clematis towers. Even if my daughter doesn't want them, I will have some - they look really lovely smile

Puzzler61 Sun 26-Apr-20 07:46:46

Hi HurdyGurdy. Hydrangeas in pots do well, most varieties don’t mind shade and they come in pretty shades of blue, pink, mauve, red, white. They like their roots kept damp at all times. (Quite thirsty but worth the effort). I particularly like one called Dark Angel Red that has as it suggests red lace cap flowers and very dark almost black stems. A bit pricey around £15-20 but give a great floral show. Good Luck!

Puzzler61 Sun 26-Apr-20 07:48:14

Hope this works ........

Puzzler61 Sun 26-Apr-20 07:48:41

First time I’ve inserted an image from the web.

shysal Sun 26-Apr-20 09:29:47

I can thoroughly recommend watching the Ideal World shopping channel, freeview 22, who have several Garden Bargains hour slots on Sundays, if you can stand the sales patter. I am often tempted, but haven't been disappointed with the quality.

HurdyGurdy Sun 26-Apr-20 16:54:46

Oh shysal - £118 later . . . . grin grin grin

And I could have gone on and on and on . . . . . But I figure that I'm not spending anything else these days, as there's no coffees out, no lunches out, no petrol to put in the car, no days out with my daughter and granddaughter sad so I've got a bit of extra money to spend. I might as well get something that will give me pleasure.

I did get the clematis, but I also got a pair of oleanders in pots, some compost and a dual fruit tree which I found intriguing. A plum and cherry on one trunk.

Puzzler61 - thank you for that. I think that's going to be a good one to start with, so will see if we can source those.

My husband has built two of these tiered stands yesterday and today, so I will be on the lookout for something to put on those. (The neighbour's fence came down in the first of the storms in February, and they've not got round to replacing it yet. They did say they were thinking of replacing the whole fence, but no idea when that might be)

Puzzler61 Sun 26-Apr-20 19:25:55

Oohh those well made tiered stands made by your dear Hubby will look lovely if you can get tumbling summer favourites trailing geranium, trailing double begonia and trailing lobelias. They are good value for money as they start off very young and small. Your labours will be rewarded tenfold when they are in glorious bloom!

shysal Mon 27-Apr-20 07:38:45

I have a new tiered stand this year. I shall plant it with Tidal Wave Petunias, which climb and trail. I bought plug plants from Thompson and Morgan, potted them on and they are raring to go! In a few weeks I won't be able to see anything but a 'waterfall' of flowers.
£118!! I am waiting for 3 standard Fuschias, shrub roses, and Geraniums. I bought some of their compost earlier. It is very light for carrying up my steep garden, but it dries out quickly. Should have added some water retention gel.
Happy gardening all!