In a balcony that receives sun all afternoon, and therefore faces west, many varieties of plants can flower there all summer. From verbena to dahlia, through the hanging flowers of wisteria to a shrub like viburnum, discover 5 plants that flourish fully in this type of balcony.
You should know that on a west-facing terrace or balcony, the sun’s rays arrive in the second part of the day, that is to say from around 2 p.m. until sunset. It is an area that can be considered sunny: thus, all plants that need light exposure have “green light” on a west-facing balcony.
Among the most suitable plants are dahlias and petunias, but also wisteria which, with its drooping purple flowers, can beautify the railings of any balcony. Also choose a verbena or a viburnum which will guarantee abundant flowering throughout the summer until the end of autumn.
5 Plants to Grow on a West-Facing Balcony
· Verbena
Very widespread in Europe, although it is rather native to America, this plant belongs to the Verbenaceae family. His particuliarity? The verbena flower can vary from white to pink and from bright red to purple. It flowers from early summer to late fall.
This plant should be grown in a bright, sunny place sheltered from the wind. If it is grown in a pot, make sure that its soil is rather clayey, constantly moist and fresh, while avoiding stagnation of water in the saucer. Verbena does not tolerate siliceous and limestone soils.
This aromatic plant with delicate flowers is one of the anti-stress medicinal plants par excellence. Particularly thanks to its sedative, anti-neuralgic and relaxing properties which immediately provide a feeling of calm. It acts on the nervous system and chases away any form of anxiety or depression. But not only. As a herbal tea, its virtues are innumerable: verbena facilitates digestion, relieves spasms, fights fever and many other ailments.
· Dahlia
Originally from Mexico, the dahlia is an ornamental plant of great beauty. Its flowers have a very particular charm, oscillating between different very bright shades and more muted tones, ranging from yellow to red, including white and pink.
Its flowering is guaranteed all summer until the end of autumn, provided that the plant is exposed to the sun for a good part of the day. But also that the balcony is oriented to the west and that it generally receives the sun’s rays throughout the afternoon. Planting should be done in spring, approximately between the end of March and May, when temperatures really start to be milder than in winter. If you grow it in a pot, make sure it has a diameter of at least 30 centimeters to leave room for the plant and its roots. It prefers to be planted in clayey, well-manured soil. As long as it is watered regularly and gets enough sun, it will flourish royally.
In addition, this flower bulb is highly prized by Mexicans for its diuretic properties. Dahlia is often used to relieve colic and intestinal ailments, to treat certain dermatological problems such as boils. It is also effective against insect bites and relieves throat problems.
· Petunia
A botanical essential, the petunia is a plant that flowers perfectly on a west-facing balcony. Native to South America, it is a perennial herb with a drooping habit that offers abundant flowering and bright tones, in colors ranging from purple to pink, including white.
The Petunia needs at least six hours a day of direct sun, a condition that a west-facing balcony can provide. Otherwise, flowering may be poor. Protect it well from the wind and, at the first sign of cold, bring it inside. When the nice weather returns, you can take it outside, only if the temperature settles on average around 15°C.
· Viburnum
Also called “Snowball”, viburnum is a shrub from the Caprifoliaceae family grown for ornamental purposes also in pots: this is why it will look great on a west-facing balcony. Typically, depending on the variety, viburnum flowers can be white or red and appear from spring to late fall.
Make sure the soil is fresh, rich in humus with good drainage capacity. Water regularly, especially the first year after planting.
Antispasmodic and astringent, Viburnum has numerous medicinal and therapeutic properties, particularly in gynecology. Indeed, its bark treats various disorders such as heavy and painful menstruation, morning sickness of pregnancy, uterine prolapse and even alleviates certain symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes.
· Wisteria
Among the ideal plants for a west-facing terrace, we also find wisteria, a climbing plant suitable for covering pergolas and arches, but also for giving color to the railings of your balcony. Its purple clusters are a sensation in the environment. Resistant and vigorous, wisteria is not very demanding: it must be planted between October and March in soil that is not calcareous and dry, but drained and fertilized with a fertilizer rich in nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. To see its beautiful clusters of drooping lilac flowers, you will have to wait for the first flowering between May and June and the second, less abundant, in August.
In seeds or as a food supplement, glycine is an anti-inflammatory amino acid which has numerous benefits for the body: very popular with athletes, it boosts recovery, accelerates healing of the skin, stimulates circulation, promotes sleep and detoxify the liver. As a bonus, it fights against cellular aging by hydrating the epidermis and regenerating skin tissues.
