Balcony Plants???

My boyfriend and I live on the 9th floor of an apartment building facing west. We want to put plants out on our balcony as well as all over the house.

I need some suggestions as well as some feedback about what we've already thought about.



I love fuchias, will they grow in this environment?

I was also thinking of putting Hibiscus on the balcony.



What are some good perennial flowers to use out there, especially for plant pots.



I appreciate any info you can provide.
Balcony Plants???
fuschias are very tempermental.. i had one for 2 years .. did the same thing for it this year that i did last year and it died.... i am going to get a new one soon as that are very pretty!.. try shasta daisey.. they are very pretty and do well with shade to light atmosphere... begonias also do well with mixed light... very pretty plants! very colorful! get the tub ones and then bring them in, when it gets cold...

some more flowers that you can get that you will have to replace but are very cheap and do well with your spot are petunias, impatients and dianthsus. these are pretty cheap to get in a flat or mixed flat... as for inside the house.. spider plants do well in the house... they can get a little big but if you cut the sprouting off that spout out then will wont grow as big... try some ivy near the window. wax tree plants, cyclomen is a good one that likes light.... spray these with a mist bottle once a week if you have a dry apartment... make sure all are watered well.. not to moist, not to dry.. have fun e mail me if you have any questions! good luck!
Reply:You could try marigolds, petunias, sweet potato vine, nasturtiums and many other flowering annuals. Hibiscus would probably do good, but I'm not very familiar with their growing needs. Fuchsias... I've never been able to grow them, but many people can and they are beautiful. Perennials that you could try .... lemon verbena - perfect lemon scented leaves, lavender, mint variates and maybe a clematis vine (yes, they can be grown in a container). You can also grow amaryllis bulbs and gladiolus.
Reply:I am doing the same thing. My boyfriend and I live on the second floor with a balcony that faces east. I am trying to grow lavender and this weekend I am planting roses. Wish me luck and good luck to you. Keep me informed on your progress.
Reply:I put my houseplants out on my balcony.I purchased shade perennialsI even grow green beans ,musclun lettuce,herbs.I have a large watering can.Come the fall, I bring in what I can.I have two bar stools.I put a plank of wood over them to form a shelf.I keep the plants here in front of my sliding glass doors.I bring the basil in and pick off of it all winter.The perennials i store outside and sort of cover them as best I can.Where there is a will there is a way.Good Luck
Reply:Watch "Ben Hur" and learn the problem with unstable balcony items.



To your question, you must evaluate how much sunlight the area will actually get, then buy accordingly.
Reply:Often too windy on a balcony, dries them out really fast. Probably better with something that likes drier soil.
Reply:I think your ideas are great. I don't know your zone or climate, so it is really hard to zero in on the type of plants to recommend. There are sooooo many options it is unbelievable!!



First off, your decision for a Hibiscus and fuchias should do well on a west facing balcony. Just keep up with the watering, as patios and balconies dry out planters fast.



So where do I start? I usually recommend people plant what they like. i.e. some of my clients want a tropical theme, so they will have palms, ornamental grasses, hibiscus, bananas, etc etc etc. Or maybe you really want spring colour, so you would pick azaleas, rhodies, etc. Some want butterflies, so they will pick milkweed, or butterfly bush, etc. Some want hummingbirds...so fuschias, or honeysuckle, etc. Some want scent, so a daphne for spring, and a datura for summer can be an option....



Perennials are great for low maintenance, but I usually recommend using them for "filler" around much more colourful annuals. But saying that, there are some really funky coloured coneflowers out right now.



I recommend going to your local plant nursery and asking. They will not lead you astray. They will help you pick out plants for your small space and give you advice on how to look after them.
Reply:pretty much what eva you want as long as they get watered and not to much son and since it's becoming summer you might want to keep you plants soaked