There's nothing quite like sitting outside on your own balcony, but the openness of a slatted balcony can sometimes feel like sitting in a shop window. Many people then look for a solution to create more privacy. While plastic sheeting or reed matting is functional, it often lacks the vibrancy and ambiance you crave on a balcony. A balcony screen made of climbing plants is the ultimate solution. It combines the practical benefits of privacy and wind protection with the soothing appeal of nature. In this article, we explain how to create a beautiful green screen on a slatted balcony and why the right planter is half the battle.
The benefits of a living balcony screen
Choosing a balcony screen made of climbing plants offers numerous advantages over "dead" materials. Firstly, plants improve the air quality around your apartment. They capture particulate matter and produce oxygen, which is a major advantage in an urban environment. Furthermore, a green wall has a sound-dampening effect; the leaves break up the sound waves of city traffic, making your balcony noticeably quieter.
Aesthetically, there's no comparison. While a standard balcony screen often discolors or becomes dirty over time, a screen of climbing plants becomes more beautiful and fuller every year. Moreover, it offers a dynamic view: you can see the seasons change in the color of the leaves or the appearance of the flowers. This effect is particularly pronounced on a balcony with bars, as the plants can curl beautifully around the metal rods.
Why a slatted balcony and climbing plants are a match
A railed balcony is essentially a ready-made trellis for your plants. While in a regular garden you often have to stretch wooden grids or wires, a balcony railing provides immediate support. Plants can attach to the railings, forming a dense woven fabric. This creates a balcony screen of climbing plants that is very sturdy and won't easily blow away.
The problem, however, often lies in the location where the plant is to grow. Traditional hanging baskets on railings are often too small for the roots of a vigorous climber, and they sometimes can't support the weight of a fully grown vine. This is where the Vercony planter comes in. Our basket sits on the ground and extends through the trellis. This gives the plant a stable base and enough space for deep roots, while the tendrils can find their way up the trellis directly from the ground.
The best climbing plants for your balcony screen
Not every climber is the same. The choice of your balcony screen with climbing plants depends on the location of your balcony and how much maintenance you want to do:
- Ivy (Hedera Helix): The undisputed champion of privacy. Ivy grows quickly, is hardy, and stays green year-round. It clings effortlessly to trellis and quickly forms an impenetrable screen.
- Clematis: For those who love color. The clematis blooms beautifully with large flowers. It's a "leaf stem climber," meaning it needs help to hang on; the railings of your balcony are ideal for this. Note: most varieties lose their leaves in winter.
- Climbing hydrangea: A slower grower, but with a beautiful result. In summer, you'll enjoy large white flower clusters. It's a very hardy plant that can withstand wind well.
- Passionflower: For an exotic touch on a sunny balcony. This climber grows incredibly quickly and produces the most unusual flowers, but sometimes needs some protection in winter.
Step-by-step plan: Installing your green screen
Want to get started with a balcony screen made of climbing plants ? Follow these simple steps for a long-lasting, beautiful result:
- Choose the right container: Use the Vercony push-through container. Because it's ground-level, the roots have more coolness and stability than in a hanging container.
- Good drainage: Fill the bottom of the container with a layer of hydroponic clay. This prevents the roots of your climbing plants from rotting in heavy rain.
- Nutritious soil: Climbers expend a lot of energy growing upwards. Therefore, use high-quality, nutrient-rich potting soil.
- Guide growth: Initially, you'll need to give the young shoots a helping hand. Carefully weave the branches through the trellises. Once they're established, they'll do the rest on their own.
Privacy without losing touch
The beauty of a balcony screen made of climbing plants combined with the Vercony container is that you have control over the density. Unlike a plastic screen, which is 100% opaque, you can vary the plants. Do you only want the bottom closed to block the view from the street? Then prune the plant back at the top. Want a complete green wall? Then let the vines grow all the way to the top railing.
Because the Vercony box extends through the slats, you can see the greenery both inside and out. This gives your balcony a sense of depth you'll never achieve with a flat screen. It's like creating a living painting between the slats.
The Vercony philosophy: Smart green
At Vercony, we understand that a balcony should be a place of tranquility, not a place to worry about rattling screens or scratches on the railing. Our planters are the ideal partner for your balcony screen of climbing plants . They are robust, safe, and specially designed for the unique structure of a baluster balcony. By starting the plants on the ground, we mimic the natural growth habit of climbers, resulting in healthier and stronger plants.
Conclusion
A balcony screen made of climbing plants is the most stylish and sustainable way to create privacy on your balcony. It softens the metal of the bars, adds color to your outdoor space, and provides a wonderful scent and coolness in the summer. With the Vercony planter as a base, you have the perfect tool to make this green project a success. Say goodbye to those boring screens and choose a living balcony you'll enjoy every day!
