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“The amount of light your balcony gets will affect your planting choices. South-facing areas should have plants which do well in the hot sun, whereas north-facing balconies will require shade-loving plants. If you need to know the aspect of your outside space, simply use a compass – these days you probably have one on your phone. Stand looking out onto your balcony. If you are facing east or west, you will have a partial garden. South facing means full sun. North facing means full shade.” – Will

“For a striking display, I’d plant some of the below in pots:

“The best ones will thrive in low light but should also provide yearlong interest and be low maintenance. These are some suggestions which not only love being in the shade, but also add texture and varying heights to a balcony.

“The Elho reservoir pot is a sustainable and low maintenance option. The reservoir means you don’t need to worry about watering your plants too much or too little, so there’s one less thing to worry about. Pots with drainage holes prevent oversaturation of roots, or in other words overwatering, which can cause roots to rot. For something practical and pretty, we love the Bergs Copenhagen pots that come with drainage holes pre-drilled; they’re also frost-proof. High-quality materials and craftsmanship mean the pots will last from one generation to the next. Also, fibre clay looks like stone but is much lighter, so is a great option for balconies. These pots can be left outside all year because they are resistant to frost and UV rays. Concrete-style pots also allow the plants to shine. Often, they’re handmade and due to the natural variations of the material, shades, markings and air bubbles will differ across each one, making each one unique.” – Will

“The general ‘rule of three’ works for any space. Three different-height plants grouped together will make an instant impact. Then, think about how to vary heights across your balcony. The odd tree or bamboo in a pot, plants on stands and a table, hanging pots and planters. And don't forget the wall – it's easy to drill brackets to install a vertical planter or simple hanging basket. Every surface is an opportunity.” – Hollie

“Window boxes are a great option for balconies. Slim, long, and weather resistant, just pop them along the wall or railings and plant with seasonal bedding plants – or even fruit like strawberries.” – Hollie

“Balconies are a great place to display and tend to your window box collections. Alternatively, consider our plant stands which will really allow them to shine.” – Will

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“The ‘Ilex Dome’ is great for adding evergreen structure to your outside space. It has small, dark green glossy leaves and produces small white flowers in the summer. Ivy is easily recognisable by its distinct teardrop leaf shape. Incredibly versatile, it looks beautiful trailing over the side of window boxes.” – Will

“To ensure the longevity of your plants, it’s essential to improve drainage and the soil structure with grit and mulch when you’re planting. We would always encourage you to add mulch to pots a few times a year – not only does this help with moisture retention, nutrients and helping to suppress weeds, it also looks extremely smart. Watering a plant correctly can also make all the difference. You’ll notice that containers and pots dry out much quicker than plants in the ground, so you will need to water them a little more frequently during the hotter months. Considering where and how plants are grown has also become increasingly important. Plants which have been grown outside often find it easier to adapt to British weather conditions.” – Will

“Balconies are a brilliant place for a herb kitchen – just bear in mind they need as much sun as possible; they love to bask in the light. Our nine-pot collection, which can form the base of an impressive kitchen garden, includes parsley, mint, rosemary, thyme, chives, oregano, lemon thyme, fennel and sage. Make the herbs a feature by displaying them in pots together on a stand.” – Will

“Consider the amount of maintenance you want to do. Would you prefer a glass of rosé or a trowel in your hand on a sunny weekend afternoon? If you’d rather be relaxing, shrubs and evergreens are low-maintenance options. Pines are architectural, popular and relatively low maintenance, too. Your balcony is an extension of your home, so it should be another room where you can relax and entertain. Often, your outside space can be seen from the principal rooms, so seasonal interest is key.” – Will

Visit SotoGardens.com & Sproutl.com for more.

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