Your terrace or balcony in Spring

Apr 29, 2022 |

Preparing the terrace or balcony for spring.

With the arrival of good weather, it's time to prepare our outdoor spaces, as we're heading into the season when we'll be using them intensively, especially after the pandemic. It's important to perform certain tasks to get our outdoor space in shape, whether it's a balcony, terrace, or garden. Here are some ideas:

• With the arrival of milder weather, it's necessary to remove plastic and other protective coverings that may have been covering the most sensitive plants.

• Plants that need it should be moved to larger pots to ensure their full growth.

• The soil in the pots should be removed to allow it to oxygenate. It's advisable to add fresh substrate to supplement any lost soil and fertilize the plants.

• As temperatures begin to rise, it is advisable to increase the frequency of watering.

• If the plants have been kept indoors or covered during the winter to prevent damage from inclement weather, in spring it is essential to move them outside so they receive direct sunlight.

• Warm days can bring pests. It's important to monitor the health of your plants.

Finally, I'm excited to grow new spring plants. You can find some options at the ElPetitJardí flower shop on Calle Condal in Barcelona.

Geraniums: This is one of the quintessential outdoor plants that stands out for its colorful flowers.

Lilies: These flowers stand out above all for their elegance, since their petals are large and have different colors.

What you should definitely do is water them regularly and pay attention to drainage. But there are other factors, especially environmental ones , that will influence the care and condition of your outdoor plants, such as the air , which can be deadly for them. Therefore, plants used outdoors should be hardy and not require much water or constant maintenance, as it's not the same as having them indoors.

A good outdoor plant should also be sun-resistant . Unless you have a corner of your garden or terrace that doesn't get any sun at all during the day, during hot weather, the sun can be very intense. On the other hand, if it's a garden and you want it to look beautiful even in winter, the plants you choose should also be able to withstand the cold . An example of a plant that can withstand both sun and cold is lavender .

SUGGESTIONS OF PLANTS THAT MAY INTEREST YOU:

1.

Plumbago

The blue plumbago is a surefire way to fill any garden or patio with freshness and elegance, thanks to its beautiful blue flowers that grow from a rounded shrub with branches that grow to over a meter in length. Although it requires constant watering, this plant tolerates high temperatures very well and doesn't suffer as much in summer.

2.

Gladioli

Gladioli are bulbous plants known for their spectacular and colorful flower spikes. Native to Africa and Europe, gladioli are popular in gardens and floral arrangements due to their height and vibrant colors. These plants are ideal for adding a touch of verticality and color to outdoor gardens and are also grown to produce cut flowers.

3.

Calendula

Calendula , also known as Calendula officinalis , is an outdoor plant prized for its vibrant orange and yellow flowers and medicinal properties. Native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean, calendula is easy to grow and is popular in gardens and orchards for both its ornamental value and its health and skincare benefits.

4.

Sunflower

The sunflower is a plant well known for its spectacular flower. It's an elegant, colorful plant that's perfect for the outdoors. Its intense yellow color makes it a real eye-catcher in any outdoor space. It looks great in the garden and also withstands the sun very well.

5.

Wallflower

It's one of the most spectacular flowering plants. It's a highly prized plant and makes a perfect addition to any outdoor space. It has striking flowers in a variety of colors. It prefers direct sunlight or partial shade. It thrives in full sun but can also tolerate some shade, especially in warmer climates. For optimal flowering, it is recommended that it receive at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day.

6.

Citronella

The citronella plant is perfect for the garden. It's a sun-resistant plant and also offers a very special aroma that keeps mosquitoes away from the house. It requires regular watering, but it's not difficult to maintain. It also requires good drainage if you plant it in a pot.

7.

Carnations

They are plants very similar to the classic carnation, but they do have some differences. Carnations are very hardy outdoor plants and perfect for decorating your outdoor space year-round. Furthermore, they are not very demanding plants and require little care. They stand out for their green leaves and, above all, for their flowers of different shades.

8.

Hebe

Hebe is a plant native to Australia that has been gaining popularity in recent years. It has very hardy lavender flowers. It stands out for its spectacular blooms and also for being a shrub that helps pollinate the garden.

9.

Ficus Benjamina

The ficus is an indoor plant, but there are varieties that can be added outdoors. One of these is the ficus benjamina. This plant requires abundant indirect light or partial shade. It adapts well to any level of humidity and is quite hardy.

10.

Lemon

The lemon tree is a fairly hardy outdoor plant. It needs plenty of direct sunlight, ideally between 6 and 8 hours a day. It's essential to place it in a sunny location for proper growth and fruit production. An area with sun exposure for most of the day is ideal for ensuring its development.

11.

Bamboo

Choose tall plants to create a garden feel. You can plant bamboo canes , a tropical plant that's light and durable. They need a well-lit spot, but not full sun. They need moisture, but not overwatering. Even if you don't have a large garden, it's ideal for keeping your terrace protected from view and always looking great. Bamboo will do the trick. And it has another advantage: it prevents weeds from growing around it.

12.

Jasmine

Jasmine is one of our favorite flowering plants , thanks to its pleasant scent that fills any space. Its flowers are shaped like stars or helices. It's also frost-resistant and slow-growing. It requires regular watering in summer and more moderate watering in winter .

13.

Glycine

Wisteria is a showy plant that doesn't require much care and will fill your terrace with a super cozy, romantic aura. Water it regularly, especially during hot weather. It will also need pruning when it finishes flowering or when it's dormant.

14.

Geraniums

There's no town without a balcony decorated with the joy of geraniums . They're one of the most popular sun-resistant outdoor plants, blooming year-round without much maintenance. Their pink, white, and red hues adorn city balconies and terraces, making them more inviting.

15.

Ivy

This climbing plant species will fill your terrace with freshness and a very welcoming atmosphere. Ivy is an outdoor plant that tolerates low light very well, so it will thrive regardless of the orientation of your terrace. To encourage denser growth, prune it in early spring. Good drainage is essential for its success.

16.

Petunias

They tolerate sun and heat well and don't need much water. These are petunias , whose delicate, trumpet-shaped flowers will decorate your home's exterior year-round. Pink, purple, white, red, and all kinds of colors, petunias love direct sunlight and well-drained soil to thrive.

17.

Sage

This aromatic plant, so popular in cooking, is also highly sought-after for decorating terraces and gardens. The reason? It adapts well to sunny, dry climates, as it requires full sun exposure and doesn't require much watering. Sage flowers vary in shades of blue, lilac, or pink and bloom from spring to fall.

It prefers well-drained soils and grows best in sunny areas. Although it tolerates drought, providing moderate watering during dry periods will help maintain its most abundant blooms.

18.

Lavender

Aromatic plants often brighten up your outdoor space, delighting your senses. Lavender also brings color to your garden or terrace with its blue and violet hues. It needs plenty of sun (about 6 hours) and watering a couple of times a week. The great thing about this plant is that it's winter-hardy and easy to maintain.

19.

Carnations

It's one of the most popular and grateful flowers to have. Carnations fill balconies, terraces, and gardens with joy and color. And best of all, they can withstand direct summer sun. There are many carnation species in different shapes and colors: red, white, yellow, orange.

20.

Agave

Agaves, like other cacti, succulents, and other plants , make successful low-maintenance gardens. Their great virtue is that they require almost no water, but they also tolerate the cold. Place them in your garden and enjoy their spectacular beauty.

21.

Bougainvillea

There's no porch more beautiful than one embraced by a bougainvillea . This climbing plant creates such beautiful scenery... They're very resistant to sunlight, but winter frosts are fatal to them.

22.

Portulaca

Also known as "purslane" or "silk flower," this perennial flowering plant belongs to the Portulacaceae family and is native to South America. In addition to its beautiful and colorful flowers , this plant is very popular for its sun resistance and drought tolerance.

The flowering season runs from early summer to the arrival of autumn, although you should keep in mind that its yellow, pink, white, red, or orange flowers open during the day and close at nightfall.

Its hardiness isn't its only advantage; this species flowers quickly—it takes between 6 and 8 weeks. Its care includes sun exposure , well-drained, sandy soil, and moderate watering, always allowing the soil to dry out.

23.

Cactus

Cacti are one of the hardiest plants in existence, so they're easy to maintain and require little watering, every 10-12 days. They thrive in warmth and can withstand high temperatures. There are many types of cacti , and you can place them in a sunny location, as they need light to grow. They're ideal for small spaces, as they're generally not very large. However, you can also opt for a large one if you have a garden.

24.

Rose bushes

Perhaps the rose is the quintessential flower. Roses are romantic, elegant, understated, delicate, but above all, resistant to sun and heat. However, before buying a rosebush , be sure to research which one you're going to get and what its needs are.

25.

Daisies

If you want a super sun-resistant plant, it's the daisy. Daisies are everywhere, and one of the reasons is because they're so hardy. Their white flowers will fill your terrace or balcony with light. Plus, they don't require much maintenance. Water them frequently, but don't need a lot of water.

26.

Rosemary

Although we're not used to seeing rosemary in flower, this Mediterranean and aromatic shrub is an ideal companion for your outdoor space and as a seasoning aid for your dishes. It loves the sun and doesn't need much water.

27.

Gazanias

This South African plant is very resistant to sun and heat, and most importantly, so are its flowers. If you have gazanias outside your home, you'll see their flowers splashing with colors in shades of orange, yellow, red, white, pink, and many combinations of these. Gazania also requires very little maintenance.

28.

Hydrangeas

More grateful than a hydrangea... difficult. If you think you'll never have flowering plants on your terrace because it doesn't get enough sun, hydrangeas are here to prove you wrong. Plant them in acidic soil and keep them moist. They'll last for years!

29.

Astilbes

If you want to fill your garden with color in summer, astilbes have showy flowers (called "goat's beard" because of their shape) that last a long time and are beautiful even when they're withered. Ideal for avoiding the stress of gardening. They're not very demanding, so they withstand inclement weather well. Oh! And they don't need much sun.

30.

Tulips

The typical flower of the Netherlands is beautiful and will add a touch of color to your terrace or garden. Tulips are very sun-resistant and very easy to plant at home. Plus, each tulip color has a meaning !

31.

Guinean joys

Guinean marigolds are an outdoor flowering plant typical of Madagascar, but are widely distributed throughout the world because they are very beautiful and heat-resistant. They adapt perfectly to hot, dry climates and bloom most when exposed to direct sunlight.

32.

Canna

Cannas, also known as canna indica or Indian cane, are native to South America and the Caribbean, so they are plants that tolerate sun and heat well. They are very pretty and exotic, which will create a beautiful garden with a tropical touch. You can find them with flowers in yellow, red, white, and even a mix of colors.

33.

Lion's mouth or dragon's mouth

The snapdragon , also known as the dragon's mouth, is also known as the snapdragon, the dragon's mouth, or the snapdragon's mouth. It is a Mediterranean plant that tolerates the sun very well. However, frost is its worst enemy. The snapdragon blooms from spring to autumn and its colors are typically white, yellow, orange, red, and pink.

34.

Thyme

This is a very sun-resistant aromatic plant with mauve flowers. Not only will it decorate your outdoors, but it'll also help you create a small urban garden so you always have the aromatic plants you need on hand. Remember to prune thyme to promote its growth.

35.

Verbena

You can enjoy this small flower from late spring to early fall. Verbena requires little water, so it adapts easily to sunny and even slightly dry locations. However, during very hot weather, it needs to be watered every day, while in winter it only needs to be watered twice a week.

36.

Gerbera

The gerbera is a hardy and colorful plant. For happy spirits. You'll need to repot it every two years because it grows and needs more space: it's a large plant. Don't overwater it and place it where it gets light and little direct sunlight. To keep it healthy, avoid fertilizing it and reduce watering in the fall and winter.

37.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to five meters tall. Plant it where it receives plenty of light, preferably early morning sun. In summer, when it blooms, water it frequently without overwatering it, and prune it in spring if you want to see its blooms dazzling .

38.

Ferns

Ferns don't need direct sunlight, but they do need plenty of light. If you place them in the right spot, their leaves will grow broad and very green. Keeping the soil moist (but not waterlogged) is essential. An "anti-forgetfulness" trick: place the pot over a large container of water so that as the water evaporates, it hydrates.

39.

Azaleas

If you have a terrace with little sun, this is one of the flowering plants you can plant. The azalea is an evergreen plant; if you take good care of it, it will produce so many flowers that you'll barely see the leaves. It needs a cool environment and, if possible, water that's not too hard, as limescale will damage it.

40.

Boxwood

Boxwood is a more than resilient shrub. The more you prune it, the more branches, smaller leaves, and denser the plant will be, making it more "hardy." Another advantage is that it will always brighten your terrace with color: in spring and summer, a deep green, and in autumn, a rich orange.

41.

Dahlias

If you like spectacular flowers, plant dahlias on your terrace or in your garden. They'll bloom from early summer until almost the end of autumn. When the weather gets hot, water them frequently. They'll need full sun and protection from the wind.

42.

Honeysuckle

Not only will it add color to your terrace, honeysuckle will also perfume it thanks to its aromatic properties. If you have a bright terrace, don't hesitate, although you should protect it from direct sunlight. It's a very hardy plant, and if it has a support (pergola, fence, etc.) to cling to, you'll create a flowering wall. It grows very quickly and its leaves are evergreen. Water it without flooding it.

43.

Asters

Asters look very similar to daisies and are known for their beauty and hardiness. There are over 600 different species, and the ones you'll most want for your patio and garden are the perennials. Their striking, star-shaped flowers come in a variety of colors, from white to deep purple. They're easy to care for, like well-drained soil and full sun. Asters also attract butterflies and bees, perfect for increasing biodiversity in your garden.

44.

Thoughts

Although it's a winter plant, it will bring a lot of life to your terrace during the colder months. You'll find it in many colors, including bicolor and tricolor. During flowering, it should be watered fairly frequently, although be careful not to allow waterlogging.

45.

Lantana

Lantana is known for its showy flowers and is popularly grown as an ornamental plant due to its ease of cultivation and care. However, certain lantana species can be considered invasive in certain areas, as they have the ability to spread rapidly and displace native species. Although lantana is prized for attracting butterflies , caution should be exercised as they can be toxic if ingested.

46.

Tradescantia pallida

Tradescantia pallida , also known as "Purple Heart" or "Wandering Jew," is a very hardy and easy-care succulent native to Mexico. Characterized by its striking purple leaves and trailing habit, it is a popular and common sight in gardens and patios.

47.

Bird of Paradise or Strelitzia

The Bird of Paradise, also known as Strelitzia, is a tropical plant famous for its striking flowers that resemble the head of an exotic bird. Native to South Africa, this evergreen plant is prized for its attractive foliage and colorful flowers, which can range in shades of orange and blue. For healthy growth, it requires moderate care, bright light, and well-draining soil.

48.

Clivia

The clivia is a plant characterized by its tube-shaped flowers. It withstands heat very well and has the unique ability to flower without much light. It works well both as an outdoor and indoor plant, but be careful because all parts of this plant are toxic.

49.

Tagetes

Tagetes , also known as carnations, are plants with yellow or orange flowers and large, compound leaves. These plants emit a scent that acts as a natural repellent for aphids and whiteflies, and also repels ants, making them ideal for the garden. They are easy to care for and tolerate high temperatures and direct sunlight very well.

50.

Surfinia

Surfinia is also known as petunia surfinia or petunia pendula. It's popular because it blooms profusely and tolerates warm climates well. It's also a good choice if you like hanging plants.