Fresh green, colorful leaves and brightly colored blossoms bring life to the wintry balcony. A variety of hardy plants are ready for creative winter planting in the flower box. With the courage to combine, imaginative creations are created, beyond all the sadness of the cold season. Be inspired by these tips.
The balcony box can also be decorated for Christmas
Top 3 creative winter planting
The harsh living conditions on the wintry balcony leave little room for gardening experiments. So put your trust in tried-and-tested classics that have been proven to bravely stand up to the icy bits of frost in the flower box (€16.99). The following winter triumvirate is equally suitable for planting alone and in combination:
- Winter heather (Erica carnea 'Whisky') with orange-bronze-yellow needle leaves and ruby red flowers from February; 15-20cm
- Red carpetberry (Gaultheria procumbens) with evergreen, oval leaves and red berries; 10-20cm
- Purple bells (Heuchera Hybride 'Plum Pudding'), plum-colored leaves with a silvery sheen; 20-30cm
When planting in autumn, think about a blooming transition from winter to spring. Put the bulbs of early bloomers in the substrate between the winter plantings. When winter heather, carpet berries and purple bells pay tribute to the hardships of winter, snowdrops, March rush and crocus take over the floral baton.
Do not forget protection against the cold and watering
Statements on the degree of winter hardiness always refer to perennials planted out in the garden. In the flower box, the winter planting is in an exposed position, which makes the root ball vulnerable to severe frost. Therefore, wrap the planters on the balcony with bubble wrap. Wrap colorful jute ribbons, coconut mats (€21.90) or fleece over it, decorated with stickers and other decorative elements.
The evergreen foliage continuously evaporates moisture even in winter. The sunnier the location, the more water is lost. Therefore, water your plants in the flower box regularly as soon as the substrate has dried noticeably on the surface. Winter drought stress is the most common reason for the total loss of winter planting in balcony boxes.
tips
The bar is high when it comes to creatively planting the flower box on the north side in winter. You can solve the design problem with winter-attractive, frost-resistant ornamental grasses. A prime example is the enchanting forest marbel (Luzula sylvatica 'Solar Flair'). The yellow-green summer culms turn a furious golden yellow in winter, so that the tuft of grass harmonises wonderfully with the shade-tolerant Christmas roses (Helleborus niger).