Plante Balcon Ouest : 10 Astuces Pour Embellir Votre Extrieur

As I recently settled into my new apartment, I found myself itching to focus on the exterior space – my west-facing balcony. With its generous size, I saw an opportunity to create a haven that would provide a perfect blend of shade and sunlight. While south-facing balconies receive incredible morning-to-evening sun, they can also be overpowering, making it difficult to enjoy the space.

In contrast, west-facing exposures offer a lovely compromise, providing shade in the morning and afternoon sunshine – ideal for meals or relaxation throughout the day. After conducting some research, I’m excited to share my findings on the perfect plants to adorn your west-facing balcony, ensuring a colorful and thriving space all year round.

Before diving into the specifics, let me offer one general tip: choose plants that bloom at different times of the year, allowing you to enjoy a varied display of colors over an extended period.

Les 10 plantes à adopter pour un extérieur situé à l’ouest

When selecting plants for your western-facing balcony, it’s essential to consider the need for partial shading. Additionally, depending on your location and the height of your balcony, you’ll want to be mindful of wind exposure. This is particularly important for those living in windy regions such as PACA or Midi-Pyrénées, where balconies facing west are more susceptible to strong gusts. To avoid adding unnecessary shade, it’s crucial to strategically plan your balcony layout.

Fortunately, there are many plants and flowers that meet these criteria. I’ve curated a list of 10 options for you to consider, each with its unique characteristics: jasmine, narcissus, forget-me-not, clematis, ivy, camellia, hydrangea, orange blossom, bamboo, and palm tree.

5 fleurs pour balcon ouest

When it comes to selecting a color for your room, why not go for one that will add a touch of magic? If you’ve recently given your wooden shutters a fresh coat of paint, now’s the perfect opportunity to create a cohesive aesthetic by choosing an elegant harmonious palette.

La jacinthe

The star-shaped lily is spring’s ultimate ally! Its fragrance and kaleidoscope of colors are sure to melt your heart. Moreover, its compact size, reaching only 30 cm in height, makes it an ideal choice for balcony pots. Not to mention, dividing lilies is a great way to intensify their perfume. Originating from the Mediterranean region, this dainty flower thrives in gentle, shaded areas with moderate sunlight.

Plus, it’s not afraid of cold temperatures and can be left in the ground over winter as long as the soil drains well. In other words, make sure the water doesn’t stagnate at the roots. On the other hand, planting lilies in autumn allows them to bloom from April to June. To ensure your plants develop well and last longer, remember to remove the bulb once the leaves have dried up and store it in a cool place for replanting in autumn.

Lilies care: Finally, to illuminate your balcony with hues of red-cerise or purple-pink, lilies need regular watering. As a flower, its soil should remain moist, so water it sparingly at least 3/4 times per week. When it comes to planting, do so preferably in full sun, but move it to shade after flowering. The soil should be well-draining and supplemented with sand if you have clay-heavy soil, as this prevents the bulb from rotting. As for diseases, lilies are susceptible to grey rot.

Les narcisses sur un balcon orienté Ouest

Just as the hyacinth is a springtime superstar, the daffodil shines bright with its trumpet-shaped blooms. Like hyacinths, daffodils share many similarities, including their bulbous nature and Mediterranean origins. Both are hardy and can withstand cold temperatures, preferring a spot that receives both partial shade and sunshine. However, while they bloom for a shorter period than hyacinths, daffodils typically flower from February to May after being planted in the autumn.

Caring for Daffodils: Known for their resilience, daffodils can tolerate winter humidity and summer dryness. They do require more sunlight than other bulbs to encourage blooming, so choose a spot that receives direct sunlight for at least six hours a day. Plant them in well-draining soil with a moderate depth, avoiding areas where water tends to stagnate. Following blooming, apply a high-potassium fertilizer to promote healthy growth.

Don’t forget to add a layer of clay pellets at the bottom of pots to ensure proper drainage. Once planted, surround the bulbs with a mix of potting soil and gravel for optimal results. With these simple tips, you’ll be enjoying the daffodil’s radiant beauty and sweet fragrance for a long time, without worrying about diseases or pests thanks to their robust nature.

Le romantique oeillet

The poet’s carnation is an elegant and refined flower that symbolizes love. Its meanings take on different forms depending on its hues. With miniature varieties available, these make perfect additions to balconies. If you install them along a frequently used path, their scent will infuse your environment. Just as their vibrant colors will adorn your exterior.

The care of carnations is relatively straightforward. Robust in cold temperatures, they have a preference for sunny corners.

Planting in a pot or garden bed can be done by filling the container with a layer of drainage material consisting of clay pellets or gravel at the bottom of the pot. Then, fill the container with a mix of gardening soil, potting mix, compost, and river sand that can be found on Amazon.

A tip to keep in mind: avoid burying the lower leaves when planting carnations, as this can lead to them rotting.

Next, water regularly, knowing to do so two to three times a week during the summer, then reduce frequency during the winter, allowing the rain to take care of it.

These hardy flowers are typically planted in the spring and fall. You’ll then enjoy their beauty from June until the first frosts. On the other hand, be mindful of pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and spiders, as well as diseases like rust, mildew, fungi, or mushrooms.

Les clématites : une plante grimpante pour balcon Ouest

Clematis plants are ideal for decorating balcony railings due to their climbing nature. Additionally, they can withstand strong winds, making them a great choice even for high-rise buildings. However, they do prefer partial shade over direct sunlight, as the latter tends to fade their vibrant red petals. To get the most out of your clematis, place it in a spot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade. This will allow the plant to bloom beautifully from spring to summer.

When planting, aim to direct the pot towards the wall to ensure natural watering from rainfall. Add a layer of compost and complete the pot with a lightweight soil mix or a combination of soil and peat moss. To protect your clematis from intense heatwaves, provide shade for its stems using a tile while allowing the top portion to bask in the sun. During dry spells, water it sparingly, ideally every 10-15 days. Be cautious not to overwater, as this can lead to dehydration.

Le lierre grimpant

Unlike common misconceptions, climbing plants do not increase humidity near walls. In fact, according to studies, they form a preventive layer between the wall and air, reducing humidity that can degrade the quality of the wall. The only issue they pose does not come from them but rather from the condition of the wall. Before installing them, you should check for any cracks or mold on your wall. Then, control their volume so that they do not become too heavy.

Having a climbing plant on your balcony is an excellent strategy! It optimizes the quality of the environment while brightening up your balcony. Through its surface, it covers walls and protects them from atmospheric pollutants like CO2. Additionally, various studies show that climbing plants significantly reduce the impacts of temperature and humidity fluctuations. And this is mainly thanks to their vegetal carpet fighting directly against rain, air pollution, and thus wall degradation.

On the other hand, there are some minor drawbacks to consider. However, I assure you they’re not monstrous. First, the installation choice for climbing plants must be decisive. In fact, it’s possible to remove them, but that would be difficult without damaging your wall. Furthermore, the appearance of an ecosystem and emergence of insects and birds may occur. However, these are not concerns if you’re insensitive to these small creatures that can sometimes become pests.

The easy maintenance of Boston ivyFinally, another advantage of these little wonders is their succinct maintenance. Among the various varieties of climbing plants, I can recommend Boston ivy. Its planting takes place in a relatively sunny location. Shade is not a problem; it will simply slow down the development of your ivy. Therefore, you must install a trellis to prevent overflow onto neighboring balconies. Additionally, its presence will facilitate volume control.

You’ll find different styles at Conforama or La Redoute. As a result, planting takes place in pots containing decomposed compost and clay balls at the bottom, placed in a pre-designed hole. The balls are necessary only if you have an argillaceous soil. Finally, water abundantly and attach the stems with ties that are not too tight. The ivy will hold its own after a few months using its suction cups. You can then remove the supports.

Last advice: regularly monitor your plant’s development and take a quick glance at the state of your wall. This is enough to prevent cracks and other possible degradations.

5 options pour une plante de balcon ouest

Let’s move on to the second part of this blog post, which features shrubs. As you’ll discover here, we’ve got a wide range of fruit trees and flowering trees that can turn your balcony into a lush oasis year-round, with vibrant colors in both winter and summer.

La gaité du camélia

Firstly, let’s start with the stunning camellia. This beautiful plant comes in a range of colors including white, pale pink, fuchsia, red, and bi-colored, adding a touch of elegance to your outdoor space even on gray winter days. Native to Japan, China, and Korea, camellias are known for their persistent foliage, which means they’ll provide year-round interest and make you wait with anticipation until the summer months when they bloom from July to October.

With proper care, this plant will thrive in shaded balconies that receive partial sunlight, as it’s sensitive to direct sun. To keep your camellia happy, make sure to plant it in a mixture of heather soil and compost, as it requires a well-draining mix.

This plant is quite particular about its environment and needs:* Only partial sunlight* Temperatures below 15°C (-59°F)* A consistently moist and cool soilWater your camellia in the afternoon on sunny days to ensure the soil remains fresh and humid. Despite its robustness against cold temperatures, the camellia is delicate and requires extra protection if you live in windy areas. Consider using a trellis or other support system to provide shelter.

Lastly, avoid planting your camellia under oak or maple trees, as their roots can compete with those of your plant. With proper care and attention, you’ll be rewarded with the beauty of these stunning flowers. There are many varieties of camellias available, each with unique characteristics such as leaf shape, cultivation requirements, and climate resistance.

L’hortensia pour des bouquets de balcon

Hortensias are truly majestic, recognizable by their spherical and harmonious bouquets that come in a vibrant array of colors – rose, red, blue, and white. With such diversity, you can experiment with shapes and hues to create stunning bouquets and apartment gardens. This American and Japanese flowering shrub can grow up to 2 meters tall! A notable characteristic is its ability to rejuvenate itself after winter by removing wilted flowers and trimming the stems in spring.

It thrives when planted in the spring and fall, producing its first blooms from July to September. Care instructions for hortensias:When it comes to care, hortensias require morning watering in the spring and evening watering during the summer. They are sensitive to heat, so they need consistent moisture during this time. It’s essential to plant them in a well-draining soil type, such as heather, especially if your soil is calcareous.

Ideally, place them in partial shade to encourage beautiful bouquets. Hortensias also have specific needs when it comes to pests and diseases. They are highly susceptible to mealybugs and spider mites, which can cause masses of cotton-like growths on the leaves and stems. These pests can be challenging to eliminate due to their hard exoskeletons that resist insecticides. However, if you catch the infestation early, it’s possible to eradicate them by burning the affected areas with a lighter.

Fortunately, some common issues are harmless to hortensias. For instance, Ascochyta forms black spots on the leaves, while gray rot is a fungus that covers stems and leaves in a grayish fleece. These diseases may impede the plant’s growth but do not pose a significant threat.

L’oranger du Mexique

The Mexican Orange tree, also known as a flowering shrub, produces small white flowers that form rounded bouquets when assembled. Its fragrance fills the environments from April to May, and it may surprise you by providing small buttons in September. As a rustic plant, it’s not afraid of winter temperatures below -15°C. It thrives well-drained soil and can be planted in both autumn and spring. Additionally, this plant is robust against pests and diseases, making it low-maintenance to care for.

In terms of its planting conditions, the Mexican Orange tree prefers mild climates, either in full sun or partial shade, and performs well. During the summer, execute regular watering at least once a week when the soil is dry. In the winter, reduce frequencies to about every 15 days.

As for its maintenance, this plant is agreeable throughout the year and requires very little care. The only necessary care is to promote growth and obtain stunning flowers.

As such, it has its seasonal routine. In autumn, provide nutrients by adding compost or manure at the base of the tree. In winter, although it doesn’t fear cold temperatures, its early winters can be harsh, so protect it with a winter cover.

You can easily find winter covers at Fnac, Amazon, or Conforama. Wrap the entire tree to prevent any branches from poking out and coming into contact with snow, as this could cause branch breakage.

Later, when spring arrives, equip yourself with a pair of scissors and cut off dead leaves during its flowering period. Also, fertilize it with specialized arborist feed and prune it to give it a beautiful shape for the arrival of summer. Once summer begins, make sure the soil remains sufficiently moist, especially when it’s just getting started.

Le bambou

Now, let’s take a break and explore these two final plants. The first one is the bamboo, which grows incredibly quickly and easily. Not only does it add an exotic touch to your balcony, but it also serves as a practical screen to separate spaces from each other. Some species of bamboo can grow up to 40 meters tall, making them ideal for use as a windbreak or even a natural fence.

With its rapid growth rate of up to 1-2 meters per year, bamboo is an impressive option if you want to create a lush green screen in a short amount of time. Bamboo planting typically takes place from October to May, and it thrives in both full sun and partial shade. Mix equal parts of potting soil and compost for the best results. Then, plant the bamboo in a spot that’s large enough and stable enough to accommodate its slightly wind-sensitive nature.

When it comes to maintaining bamboo on your balcony, proper drainage is crucial. Bamboo doesn’t like wet conditions, so water it only 1-2 times a week during both summer and winter months. Additionally, prune the bamboo once a year using scissors to remove any unwanted stems. This will encourage new growth and keep your plant healthy.

Le palmier la plante star du balcon Ouest

The Chinese Palm tree is one of the most robust palm species, capable of fighting off temperatures as low as -18°C. Regardless of whether you have female or male palms, recognizable by their white or yellow flowers respectively, you will still get fruits. The palm’s planting process is relatively easy. Start by using a large and deep pot, then add some clay balls or small stones to facilitate drainage.

When it comes to the soil, you can use a pre-prepared citrus soil mix or create your own blend of garden soil, potting soil, and crushed pumice stone. It’s best to plant the palm in the spring. Like any plants in pots, palms require regular watering, especially during their growth phase. Feed them with fertilizers twice a month, and make sure the soil isn’t too wet or dry. In winter, provide minimal water supply. Allow the substrate to dry slightly between waterings.

Despite some species’ resistance to cold temperatures, it’s still a good idea to protect your palm’s pot using a bubble wrap. Other threats to consider are insects like butterflies and palmivores. However, this resilient palm is resistant to diseases.