A balcony, terrace or garden full of the color and life that flowers give is a dream, but limited time or lack of experience in gardening they can make it seem unattainable. It is also true that in many plants the flower season is brief and most of the year we enjoy only their green beauty.
The good news is that there are extraordinarily resistant plants that offer long blooms with minimal care. They are perfect for those who want to enjoy nature without turning it into a full-time job.
According to experts, the secret is to select adaptable species that thrive in different climatic conditions and that have natural ability to recover from neglect occasional.
10 plants that will brighten any garden, terrace or balcony
These plants not only survive, but They bloom abundantly, transforming terraces, balconies and gardens into oases of color for most of the year.
1. Geraniums (Pelargonium spp.)
Geraniums are the undisputed stars of outer spaces. Originally from South Africa, they have adapted perfectly to the Mediterranean climate.
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There are several types, Among them we must highlight the zonal ones, which are the ivy geraniums or gitanillas (Pelargonium peltatum), ideal for placing in elevated baskets, and aromatics, such as lemon geranium (Pelargonium crispum).
They bloom from April to October and in warm coastal areas they can do so all year round. A professional trick is to remove wilted flowers regularly to stimulate new blooms. They are perfect for hanging pots, regular pots and planters.
2. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
This Mediterranean plant not only offers spectacular summer flowering in purple tones, but its relaxing aroma scares away mosquitoes, so in addition to brightening up the garden, terrace or balcony, it will help you get through the hot months better.
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The variety ‘Angustifolia’ It is particularly resistant and easy to care for. Now, if you want its flowers to last much of the year, you have to keep in mind that light pruning after the main flowering is key. This pruning can stimulate a second flowering in autumn.
Lavender requires poor, well-drained soilbecause excess water is your worst enemy. It is an ideal plant for creating aromatic borders or growing in terracotta pots.
3. Joy of Home (Impatiens walleriana)
Unlike many flowering plants, the «joy of the home» or Impatiens walleriana thrives in less sunny corners, making interior patios or balconies facing north shine.
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Its flat flowers appear in clusters from May until the first frosts. Modern varieties such as ‘Sunpatiens’ tolerate even more sun.
They need always moist soilbut not waterlogged. They are perfect for creating oases of color under the trees.
4. Carnations (Dianthus spp.)
This genre It includes everything from miniature carnations to trailing varieties. Some of the ones you can put are the poet’s carnations (Dianthus barbatus)which are planted in autumn and flower in spring-summer, while the Dianthus deltoides They can extend into autumn.
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Its fragrance is intense, especially at dusk. They resist light frosts and prefer calcareous soils. Planting them in groups creates a spectacular visual effect.
5. Verbena (Verbena spp.)
Of Fast growing, verbena forms carpets of small flowers grouped in clusters, although there are different types.
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Perhaps the one that sounds most familiar to you is verbena for medicinal use, but here we recommend, to have flowers most of the year, the Verbena bonariensisthat attracts butterflies with its aerial stems, or the Verbena hybridaperfect for hanging baskets.
It resists up to -5 °C and easily reproduces itself. If dried flowers are removed, blooms continuously from June to October. Tolerates periods of drought once established.
6. Dragon’s Mouth (Antirrhinum majus)
Its name dragon’s mouth is very suggestive. Develop some flowers in the form of small mouths that openideal for borders and pots.
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The snapdragon blooms from spring to fall, preferring fertile soil and some shade in summer. It attracts pollinators and resists the cold well.
7. African or Cape Daisy (Osteospermum spp.)
This pretty plant displays colorful daisies that They close at night and open with the sun.
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They flower in spring and autumn, tolerate drought and poor soils. It is the plant perfect for sunny areaswith varieties with blue or purple centers.
8. Sage (Salvia spp.)
Sage is a aromatic plant with long flowering (spring-autumn) which attracts bees and other pollinating insects.
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It needs direct sun and annual pruning. Its leaves have the property of naturally repelling pestsmaking it a great ally on the terrace or balcony. There are varieties red, pink and purple.
9. Calibrachoa (Calibrachoa spp.)
There are many species within this genus, but it is likely that if you decide to get one of these plants you will find that one that is especially recommended is the Calibrachoa x hybrida. It is available in a range of colors including red, pink, yellow, purple and white.
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It looks a lot like petunias, but it is a different species. Is ideal for hanging and produces uninterrupted flowering until autumn.
Requires a Frequent irrigation without flooding and fertilizer every 15 days. It is sensitive to wind, but resists heat better than common petunias.
10. Lantana (lantana camara)
This plant has flowers that change color: At first they are yellow, then they turn orange and finally they turn red. There are also white, purple or pink ones.
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Attracts butterflies and It blooms from spring to late autumn. It resists drought and salinity that sometimes occurs on the seafront in hot climates.
It is rather bushy and lends itself to creating hedges. It is toxic to pets.
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