Balconies are often open. Therefore, to ensure privacy, various privacy plants can be placed on them. This creates an atmosphere of privacy. You can read more about balcony plants in this article.
Beautifully decorated balconies can still remain private. Use various balcony privacy plants to create a secluded atmosphere on your balcony.
The difference between terrace, balcony, and patio
Before starting to study balcony privacy plants, you should decide on the differences between a patio, a terrace, and a balcony. These are quite different structures, even though they are visually very similar.
Balcony
The main features of the balcony should include railings. This is an excellent solution for placing plants for privacy that creep or climb. You can even place railing planters, which provide excellent privacy.
All potted plants on the balcony should not come into contact with the ground. That is why the choice of plants is limited because massive and fast-growing crops cannot be used.
It is important to pay attention to the weight of railing planters. It is better to study in advance the information about the maximum weight the balcony can withstand.
You need to choose green screens based on the fact that people also enter the territory. It is important to pay attention to height restrictions. If the balcony is covered, then huge cascading plants cannot be placed on it.
Terrace
If you are planning to give your terrace privacy, there are several factors to consider. Most terraces are also equipped with railings, so climbing plants can be planted. You should also focus on weight limits so that the structure does not deform.
Pay special attention to the height from the ground. If the deck is close to the ground, you can safely plant plants in the soil. This has a positive effect on their growth rates. It is important to pay attention to the rules of maintenance of the terrace.
If the deck is made of wood, it should be properly cared for. Give preference to plants in pots.
Patio
The easiest way to work is with the patio. Often, patios are on the ground, so you don’t have to limit yourself to a certain plant weight.
At the same time, you have the opportunity to land in the ground, which positively affects the development of crops.
The patio is typically characterized by the absence of railings and roofs. Therefore, you do not have to be limited to undersized crops. However, hanging plants should be avoided.
What to look for when choosing plants?
To ensure privacy on the balcony, you should be creative with the design of the space. There are several things to pay attention to.
Climatic features
Before you start choosing plants that provide a privacy screen on your balcony, you should determine the climate of your area.
To facilitate the task, special maps with stability zones have been created, which you can use at any time.
If you live in a region where it is quite cold, you should select winter-hardy crops. For hot climates, you can choose tropical crops. If you select the right privacy plants, this eliminates the likelihood of their death in the future.
It is important to keep track of the amount of precipitation that falls in your area. This allows you to properly build an irrigation system for the proper development of crops.
Daylight
For the plants for balcony privacy to bloom, it is important to pay attention to the amount of natural light, as well as the position of the balcony.
If it goes to the north side, the privacy plants receive practically no sunlight. On the south-facing balconies, on the contrary, the plants are overly illuminated.
It is important to understand that the lack or excess of direct sunlight can adversely affect plant growth.
That is why the best solution would be to place them on the east or west side so that the crops are illuminated in the morning and evening. A combination of the southeast is also appropriate.
If you can’t determine exactly how actively the balcony is lit, you can consider purchasing a special sunlight calculator. It must be installed in the place where the planting is planned. Wait a day, then study the information received.
Service
As you know, there are balcony privacy plants that are quite in need of care. Before you start buying, you should understand how busy you are.
Calculate exactly how much time you can devote to caring for plants for balcony privacy.
If you don’t have much time, opt for unpretentious crops that won’t depend on where you are at home. The best option would be to choose crops that are common in your area. After all, they do not need constant human intervention and care.
If you plant plants from other regions, care is required significantly. This concerns the fact that the culture still requires time to adapt in the beginning.
Soil quality
As you know, different balcony privacy plants prefer to grow in certain types of soil. Therefore, one should not think that one soil composition can be used.
Particular attention should be paid to the acid-base balance of the soil. There are privacy plants that prefer to grow in alkaline or acidic soil.
It is possible that you have to periodically make some components that maintain an optimal pH. You need to understand that water washes out the introduced components, so they have to be updated periodically.
Otherwise, there is a great risk of encountering certain problems, including the death of plants, or the lack of flowering. You should study the principles of working with the soil in advance to eliminate errors in the future.
Space
Before starting the selection, you should determine the amount of free space on the balcony. After all, it is important not to overdo it with the number of pots.
After all, you cannot go to the balcony to look at the street. The balcony should be assessed first. It is impossible for it to sag, or be attached to the main part of the house.
The design should be fairly stable, and hold a lot of weight. If there is no certainty, you should call a specialist who conducts an assessment and give a conclusion.
After that, you should determine how much outdoor space you can allocate to plants. You should not overdo it so that you do not get a full-fledged greenhouse. After all, it is difficult to go to the balcony.
Growth potential
Once you decide on the amount of outdoor space, you can start choosing specific privacy plants. It is important to understand that they grow, so you should not select too massive bushes. After all, they not only hide you from strangers but completely occupy the balcony.
When choosing, specify how large the adult bushes are. You can use the advice of the seller. After all, situations should not be allowed when the plant outgrows the balcony in a few months.
What to look for in a store?
As you know, flower shops and nurseries have a fairly large assortment of plants. It is better to analyze suitable plants at home and make a list. Then carefully inspect the privacy plants.
The leaves should have a uniform shade, without spots. This indicates that the plant is healthy. Be sure to inspect the root system of the flower in the presence of a nursery or store employee. Roots should not be intertwined.
What plants would be the best option?
Many people wonder, what plants do well on the balcony? It is impossible to name exactly the positions that are ideal. After all, it all depends on the climate, the size of the site, as well as the desired design.
Lavender
This plant is extremely drought tolerant and helps to create a secluded atmosphere on the balcony. Fortunately, today there is a large selection of varieties of this plant, so you can find the best option for yourself.
Hydrangea
Flowering is observed in summer and autumn. There are different varieties on sale that differ in size. Plants for balcony privacy screen grow well in partial shade.
Mallow
This is a popular perennial that is quite resistant to negative environmental factors. However, wind protection is required. Bushes can be up to 12 feet tall. So, these tall plants are the best safety solution.
Bamboo
This plant grows quickly, so it naturally creates a private atmosphere on the balcony. On sale, you can find options, both from the highlands and from the temperate climate. The first option is more hardy and resistant to cold.
Pampas grass
This herb comes in a variety of varieties. Some of them are even suitable for 5-9 zones. Flowering can be seen in summer and autumn. It is preferable to plant in a pot. To improve growth and development, you can spray the bushes with a solution of sea salt.
If you plan to plant in the ground, in the autumn period you have to carry out enhanced pruning. Therefore, the balcony in winter is no longer confidential.
Fountain grass
In the warm season, beautiful flower appears in the bushes. The balcony gains airiness.
Thuja
This is a fairly popular coniferous crop that can grow in the pot. You can carry out unusual pruning, and give the bushes a unique shape. This not only makes your balcony private but also makes it inviting.
Pruning should be done so that the thuja does not interfere with the space. After all, some species can reach a height of 10 feet. The culture is resistant to drought and cold.
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Indian hawthorn
This is a shrub that blooms with white and pink flowers. It grows not only in the ground but also in pots. Easy to trim, so you can give different shapes. Prefers to grow in warm climates.
Scarlet dogwood
These are year-round plants that have an attractive appearance. In spring and summer, leaves and compact flowers can be seen in the bushes. In winter, scarlet stems begin to open.
Fern from Boston
This is a fairly common plant that helps create a secluded atmosphere. This is because quite thick foliage is formed on the bushes. Bushes can be hung, or planted in a pot. For better privacy, both ideas should be combined.
Such ferns are quite whimsical in care. Therefore, you should not choose them if you are just starting to learn gardening.
Japanese maple
This type of plant has thick leaves. Bushes can be covered with both green and scarlet leaves. This is the best option for balconies where shadow prevails. If you choose dwarf varieties, they can be planted in pots.
Caring for the Japanese maple is quite simple. At the same time, you can be sure that the balcony is quite aesthetic and private.
Jasmine
Many people like the look of jasmine bushes. They have fast-paced, simple, and dense foliage. It is important to note the rich aroma of flowers that open in the warm season. When growing Star Jasmine, a support structure should be built.
You can apply a balcony railing, or additionally install a wooden grate. Star Jasmine is quite unpretentious in care. However, it is important to cut it off promptly; otherwise, it fills the entire balcony with itself.
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Hanging plants for outdoor space
These cultures are distinguished by the absence of their supports, as well as various processes. Therefore, you should constantly tie them to supports or use railing planters.
English ivy
Many people ask the question, what plant is good for privacy? Quite often on the balcony, you can see a climbing plant – English ivy. Its peculiarity is that it is unpretentious in care, and grows in any conditions.
This is the best solution if you want to create a private atmosphere on the balcony. In this case, the design looks very aesthetically pleasing.
Mandevilla
It is recommended to plant this culture near the balcony railing. Allow the vine to self-attach to the wire for greater security. Plants can produce scarlet, white, and pink flowers. This not only guarantees privacy but makes the balcony livelier.
Plant creepers can diverge in different directions, so they need to be constantly monitored and corrected. Otherwise, the interior of the balcony looks messy. Remember that you have to regularly trim the bushes, as well as clean up.
Ferns
Ferns are in high demand. They help create a secluded atmosphere, as well as decorate the balcony. Most varieties are designed for hanging on railing planters. However, they are quite compact.
The root system of ferns is shallow, which is why they do not require a large container. If you plant in a small container, the plant can take moisture from the soil.
Marigold
Marigolds are considered a permanent favorite around the world. These are plants that can bloom in orange, yellow, scarlet, gold, and white. Thanks to such flowers, you often meet butterflies, bees, and other pleasant insects on the balcony.
Marigolds can be planted with children. Seed germination is observed already after 8 weeks. Therefore, children can observe the whole process themselves.
Results
As you can see, many balcony privacy plants help create a secluded atmosphere on the balcony. The choice depends on the size of the site, your region, as well as your preferences.
