Animal rights activists are increasingly calling for more bee pastures to be planted to provide food sources for insects. Don't have a garden? The excuse doesn't count. After all, there is an extensive selection of flowering plants that can be easily cultivated in the balcony box. Find out on this page which species you can choose from and choose your favorite plant (also taking into account the respective location requirements).
Herbs attract bees and keep mosquitoes away
Small plants
The classic balcony flowers are space-saving and undemanding. Most varieties can be wonderfully combined with one another, so that you can produce a lush, colorful bloom even in the smallest of spaces. If you are unsure which balcony plants harmonize particularly well, it is best to buy a ready-made seed mixture that will later bloom in very different colors. Other recommended balcony plants are:
- the cork flower (Gaillardia grandiflora)
- the damsel's eye (Coreopsis sp."Sunfire")
- the Sun Bride (Helenium "Dakota Gold")
- the purple coneflower (Rudbeckia "Cappucino")
- Asters and shrub zinnias (Zinnia angustifolia)
herbs
Herbs on the balcony serve several purposes at the same time: on the one hand they attract useful insects, but at the same time they drive away unwanted guests such as mosquitoes or wasps. On the other hand, you can process the edible balcony plants fresh in the kitchen. Sunny balconies offer the best location characteristics for Mediterranean herbs. For example, plant:
- mountain savory
- thyme
- lavender
- savory
- hyssop
- sage
- oregano
- peppermint
- lemon balm
- rue
- chives
- basil
- or different types of pepper
climbing plants
You can use a climbing plant either as a handsome balcony decoration or as an effective privacy screen. You will still get visits from bees and bumblebees. However, keep in mind that the bucket must be stable and, with most species, must not heat up. As a rule, the plants also require an extensive supply of fertilizer.
Potted plants for large balconies
Many balconies offer enough space to set up a small bonsai or a small shrub. If the flowers then attract insects, like the following examples, the garden feeling is perfect:
- unfilled bush roses
- citrus
- Fuchsias as standard
- Lantana
- daisies