Terrace plants: which ones to choose based on sun exposure
Those who live in city contexts increasingly feel the need to reconnect with nature and try their hand at gardening, to unload the frustrations of the day. If you are lucky enough to have one or more window sills available, you can recreate anti-stress corners with a few tricks. Alternatively, if you don't have enough outdoor spaces, you can search in this video which plants help purify the air in your home.
Evergreen plants for all terraces
A terrace, no matter how large or furnished, really comes to life only when we embellish it with some plants. In nature there are many varieties of ornamental plants, with or without flowers, climbing and evergreen. Which are to prefer?
For outdoor spaces in the house, but which do not have a garden, the most recommended variety is undoubtedly that of evergreen plants. These potted ornaments are ideal for raised environments, as they mainly do not need special care and do not need annual repotting. Their advantage is that they adapt to even the most shady balconies and do not discourage those who are new to gardening or have little time to dedicate to it. Among the best known balcony perennials we find heather, lewisia and photinia.
You can also opt for some climbing species that are well suited to terraces, such as ivy and bougainvillea; remember to also purchase a special support (such as a wooden grid) to support the plant when it grows and get advice on the maximum height that reaches. Some neighbors might argue if your shrub encroaches on their apartment!
Therefore, when we go in search of new shrubs or flowers for our windowsill, we keep in mind 4 characteristics: the space we have available, the current climate, the sun exposure and the objective time that we are ready to dedicate to the new friends of home.
We have collected our favorites based on the exposure of the terrace.
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Which plants to grow on the south-facing terrace
The terraces facing south are easy to embellish because they receive a lot of sun and it is possible to choose from many species of flowers and shrubs that tolerate many hours of direct light. If positioned on these particularly sunny balconies, remember as soon as possible to water them frequently with plenty of water; in summer even twice a day. Succulents are an exception, as they live well even in drought conditions.
To get a wow effect, opt for ornamental plants with flowers and alternate with green shrubs. Even if the pots are small, the result will be a truly enviable balcony, especially in the warmer months. Prefer terracotta pots that retain more moisture.
The perfect species for these terraces are:
- geranium has the great advantage of filling balconies throughout Italy with colors and is an excellent natural repellent against mosquitoes;
- petunias and surfinias, typical balcony annual plants. They need some maintenance, because the withered corollas must be removed about every 3 days. On the other hand they will make your terrace wonderful from May to October;
- bougainvillea, a climbing terrace plant. Loves the sun and mild climates.
- lavender, medicinal plant and not difficult to grow on the windowsill. If you expose it to the sun for many hours it will give you a very fragrant bush colored with lilac;
- thunbergia alata, also called "Susanna with black eyes", is an evergreen plant that is excellent on sunny balconies;
- aromatic plants, are practically a must to keep on the balconies of the house. They decorate, take up little space and perfume your outdoor spaces as much as the dishes.
Which plants to grow on the west-facing terrace
Balconies with this orientation have more hours of direct light in the afternoon than other terraces.
For this reason it is recommended to use capacious pots, similar to those used with southern exposure, so that the plants do not dehydrate quickly.
The flowers and shrubs that adapt to this condition are many and for the strongest rays you can adopt a bamboo screen that protects them, of great impact and certainly elegant. The most popular botanical choices are:
- jasmine, one of the most popular climbing plants for its intense scent and ability to give privacy;
- photinia, can be grown both as a small tree and as a small hedge. Like jasmine, it is able to create a little privacy between balconies, it is a perennial plant to which you can devote simple attention, but with maximum yield;
- buxus, or boxwood, is a small tree with a bushy character. Ideal for terraces as it is an evergreen species with slow growth and limited needs. Take care of it by choosing a well-draining soil based on gravel and small fragments;
- laurel, also in this category could not miss an aromatic plant. It performs best if grown in a tall and capacious pot, and if exposed to a few hours of direct light;
- pink, the queen of flowers! It can be grown in pot when its preferences are reflected: at least 4/5 hours of continuous sun, but making sure that there is no scorching sun. Embellish the terrace, or the garden if you are luckier, with hedge or climbing varieties.
Which plants to grow on the terrace facing east
Similarly to the balcony facing west, the one facing east receives a few hours of direct light, but the rays are concentrated in the morning.
It could be said that this is the ideal situation for almost all plants (sun during the day and shade in the evening), from small flowers to tall trees. The light in the morning is less strong than in the afternoon, and it follows that the exposure is more delicate.
Place evergreen vegetables on your balcony, half-shade outdoor plants that need a lot of water to grow well.
Our choices are:
- azalea, is particularly suitable for cultivation in pots as there are different varieties, which do not need large containers and have a difficult management. To obtain the maximum flowering on the terrace, remember to place them in half shade: azaleas or rhododendrons do not like direct sunlight very much and their ideal climate is between 8 and 16 degrees;
- forsythia, a beautiful evergreen acidophilus that gives its best with the direct morning rays only. It is one of the terrace plants that announce spring: among the first to bloom, it will tend to give you colorful yellow flowers, already around March;
- skimmia, a plant with red berries or a small evergreen flowering shrub, depending on the time of the year. The skimmia prefers places in nature in semi-shade, and even in urban outdoor spaces it is good to place it where it receives direct sunlight, but only in the cooler hours of the day;
- birch, a perfect choice for decorating elegant city terraces. Not only is it characterized by a tall and slender white stem and heart-shaped leaves, but one of its peculiarities that turns out to be very useful in the absence of surrounding greenery, is the absorption of pollution. Beautiful and friend of the air!
Which plants to grow on the north-facing terrace
Is your terrace facing north and only gets a few hours of light a day? Do you think that no plant can survive even if you have little green thumb? Don't worry, there are valid solutions even in this situation; Take comfort in the fact that even those who have a garden partially north-facing often worry about plant growth. Cultivation can proceed safely if you choose well the plants that like to live in the shade, even in nature.
For you who have a nice balcony always surrounded by shade, these are the best botanical choices:
- glass flower, do not be fooled by the name, which could convey a wrong idea. These small, colorful flowers do have delicate stems, but they resist harsh winter temperatures well. During flowering, even if placed in small pots, they give bright colors such as red, pink, purple and even white;
- hydrangea, a small shrub that has limited growth in pots and loves to live mostly in the shade. A true classic for those who have a windowsill with this fresh display, because they decorate until the first frosts arrive;
- ferns, small and easy to keep, can also be hung on the upper parts of the terrace to create small falling sets;
- hosta, shade plant with characteristic foliage. Also ideal for the low maintenance required.
