True natural beauties include flowering climbing plants. They are suitable as facade greening or as a visually successful privacy screen for the balcony and roof terrace. They not only create places of retreat and privacy, but also act as eye-catchers with special splashes of color. Not all flowering climbing plants are also suitable for cultivation in a tub on the balcony, because there are a few important factors to consider.
Climbing plants for the balcony
Even before you go to the garden center or a nursery, you should find out which plants feel particularly comfortable on your balcony given the local conditions. Perhaps the climbing plant should not only be a visual highlight, but also take on other functions on the balcony. The following questions are important when making a selection:
- How much sun does the balcony get?
- How and where can a climbing aid be attached?
- Which climbing aid does the respective plant need?
- Would you like to conceal unsightly walls or downpipes?
- Should the climbing plant provide shade?
- Do you prefer annual or perennial plants?
- Should the climbing plant also wear foliage in winter?
- Do you prefer certain colors?
location
The most important factor for healthy growth is the right location. In this respect, climbing plants are no different from all other plants in the garden. In order for a climbing plant to flower profusely, however, a few hours of sunshine a day are usually necessary. The selection for flowering specimens on a purely north-facing balcony is therefore few and far between. On the other hand, there are not too many plants that tolerate the blazing sun in the midday hours.
- South-facing balcony: heat-tolerant plants that can cope with drought
- West and east balconies: optimal conditions for almost all climbing plants
- North orientation: blooming, shade-tolerant forest climbing plants
notice: Sun-loving climbing plants often grow vigorously in shady locations, but then flower less profusely.
planter and substrate
When choosing the container for the climbing plant, remember that it should be sufficiently stable and as high as possible. The roots of most climbing plants grow deep and therefore require a lot of space in this direction. If you want to keep perennial climbing plants on the balcony, the larger the pot, the better. Planters with a soil volume of 20 liters or more are recommended.
- high, stable pot
- preferably vessels made of light-colored material (wood or clay)
- high-quality pot substrate
- pay attention to the right composition for the plant
Perennial hardy climbing plants
Once planted, perennial climbing plants ensure a rich abundance of flowers on the balcony every year. Most of them don't require a lot of care, apart from regular watering and fertilizing, pruning and good winter protection for the root ball.
From B -C
Wisteria (Wistera sinensis)
The wisteria provides a fantastic Asian ambience. This climbing plant is characterized not only by an enormous abundance of flowers, but also by its enormous vigour. Wisteria can grow up to 20 meters high and cover a lot of space. For this reason, they are only suitable for very large balconies and roof terraces. If the wisteria does not get a stable climbing aid, it can cause damage to the facade. Despite the high maintenance effort due to the regular vigorous pruning, cultivation is also worthwhile on the balcony, because hardly any other climbing plant can keep up with the abundance of flowers of the wisteria.
- Location: sunny and sheltered (less flowers in partial shade)
- often takes years to flower
- not so vigorous in pots
- strong, robust trellis required (pergola or similar)
- never set against the house wall or downpipes
clematis
Do you love clematis, but don't have your own garden but a balcony? Then the many new breeds are just right for you. Because especially the low-growing clematis varieties can also be cultivated in the bucket without any problems. Among the Integrifolia hybrids, there are some that also do well in pots. The same applies to the large-flowered hybrids. If you can place the pot in a sheltered place in winter, frost-sensitive Clematis varieties can also be cultivated.
- use only low-growing varieties for balconies
- Climbing aid: simple climbing aid (for creepers)
- Location: shady (new breeds also for sunny places)
- Tubs with roots always in the shade
- Hybrids 'Durandii' and 'Alba'
- Texas clematis (Clematis texensis)
- Classics like 'Princess Diana' or 'Etoile Rose'
- large-flowered varieties: 'Prince Charles' and 'Königskind'
tip: A clematis does quite well in the shade, making it a flowering alternative to ivy on north-facing balconies.
From G - T
Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
Honeysuckles, also known as jelängerjelieber, goat's snare or honeysuckle, are climbing plants that are valued above all for their beautiful flowers, which exude a delicate fragrance. In terms of location, however, the honeysuckle is somewhat more demanding than other climbing plants. However, if you choose the right species for the location, the creeper from Asia will quickly become a permanent eye-catcher on the balcony.
- Location: sunny to light shade, depending on the variety
- Shading of the base of the trunk advantageous on south-facing balconies
- partly evergreen
- Climbing aid: Forms with transverse elements to prevent slipping
- Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica): fragrant flowers from June to September
- Red honeysuckle (Lonicera x brownii): red flowers from June to October, slow-growing
- Fire honeysuckle (Lonicera x heckrottii): lush flowers from May to September
Trumpet Flower (Campsis)
Because of their exotic flowers, trumpet flowers (climbing trumpets) are popular for greening facades and balconies. They can not only be used to conceal unsightly downpipes, but also to quickly create a productively blooming privacy screen. The trumpet flowers are among the self-climbers, which can reach heights of up to 12 meters with their adhesive roots. Nevertheless, a climbing aid is strongly recommended to absorb the enormous weight of the overhanging shoots. The trumpet bindweed thanks good care with a lush bloom between June and September.
- Location: sunny to semi-shady
- warm and sheltered from the wind
- Shading at the foot facing south
- Climbing aid: pergola, other stable constructions
- Campsis radicans
- 'Flamenco': dense, dark red flowers, good frost hardiness
- 'Stromboli': fast-growing, luxuriant flowers in shades of red, good frost hardiness
- Campsis tagliabuana 'Indian Summer': very densely covered with striking orange flowers, frost hardy
Annual perpetual bloomers
In addition to the richly flowering perennial climbing plants, there are also a large number of annual species that present their flowers on the balcony throughout the summer. Annual growth is not necessarily a disadvantage. Because in this case there is no need for winter protection or time-consuming cutting work. Annual climbing plants on the balcony usually need a much smaller planter and do not have to be repotted. This is especially ideal for balconies with little space.
Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
The climbing plant, also known as sweet pea or sweet pea, belongs to the legume family and originally comes from Italy. Together with the perennial vetch, it is one of the most popular climbing plants that adorn window boxes and trellises with their white, pink, red, purple or blue flowers over the summer. The sweet pea climbs with its tendrils and grows between 140 and 200 centimeters high.
- Location: sunny to semi-shady, warm, sheltered from the wind
- does not tolerate midday sun and drafts
- preferably free standing (instead of against walls or facades)
- Trellis: simple to medium construction (maximum diameter 0.5 cm)
- Spencer varieties: poorly scented, but richly flowering varieties
- 'Cupani': strongly fragrant, two-tone flowering variety in purple and blue
- 'Dolly Varden': white and pink flowers
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum)
The nasturtium is one of the particularly decorative and uncomplicated climbing plants. It makes few demands in terms of location, but develops a larger abundance of flowers in a sunny, sheltered location. Depending on the variety, the bright permanent bloomer impresses with a sunny yellow, orange or red blossom. The flowers are even edible.
- Growth height: up to 3 m
- Location: full sun (heat tolerant)
- Climbing aid: close-meshed (cable systems, wire mesh)
- also tolerates drought and nutrient-poor soils
Perennial, frost-sensitive climbing plants
Some climbing plants are naturally perennial, but in our latitudes they are only cultivated as annuals. This is usually due to the fact that overwintering involves more costs and effort than sowing again in spring. However, if you can offer the plant an appropriate winter quarters, you will enjoy the climbing plant for many years.
From D - L
Triplet flower (Bougainvillae glabra)
The Bougainvillae is one of the most magnificent flowering shrubs that the tropical regions have to offer. The triplet is also easy to grow in a container because it is not very demanding when it comes to its care requirements. However, the colorful miracle flower plant is sensitive to frost and has to overwinter in the conservatory or house.
- Growth height: up to 5 m
- Location: sunny, warm and sheltered
- Climbing aid: robust trellis
- strongly overhanging
Los shrub (Clerodendrum thomsoniae)
The climbing loose tree is a real eye-catcher on the balcony with its butterfly-like blossoms. Red in combination with shades of cream are the colors from which the climbing plant composes its flowers of glory.
- Location: sunny balcony or roof terrace
- protected from the midday sun
- only partially frost hardy
- Growth height: up to three meters on trellis (trellis)
From M - S
Mandevilla (Dipladenia)
Until a few years ago, the Dipladenia was only suitable for indoor and winter garden cultivation, but since about 2000 it has experienced a renaissance outdoors. The new breeds are not only easy to care for, but also heat-tolerant. Therefore, unlike clematis and roses, Mandevilla are also suitable for hot south-facing balconies. The funnel-shaped white, red, yellow or pink flowers appear in large numbers between late April and the first frosts.
- Location: sunny
- heat tolerant
- Growth height: up to 5 m
- Climbing aid: vertical struts (winding growth)
Black-eyed Susan (Thunbegia alata)
Black-eyed Susanne is one of the uncomplicated climbing plants for the balcony. It originally comes from the tropical regions of Africa and heralds the new garden year towards the end of winter. In its homeland, the blooming beauty grows perennial. With us, on the other hand, it is usually only cultivated once a year. Since the black-eyed Susanne needs around four months before it unfolds its flowers, it makes sense to grow it indoors from seed as early as January.
- Growth height: between 2 and 4 m (depending on the climate)
- pastel-colored varieties: only up to about 1.8 m
- Location: sheltered southern exposure
- Trellis: almost all variants possible
