Do you have a balcony with a lot of shade? Perhaps your outdoor space faces north, or the surrounding city buildings block most of the sun's rays. Many people think that gardening on a shady balcony is impossible, but the opposite is true. In fact, a shady balcony can be a wonderful, cool haven during the hot summer months, where plants that would scorch in a sunny spot can thrive. With the right plant choices and clever design, you can transform that shady spot into a lush, tranquil garden. In this article, you'll discover how to get the most out of your shady balcony and why our specific planters are perfectly suited for it.

The advantages of shade on your balcony

While we often dream of a balcony in full sun, a balcony with a lot of shade has unique advantages. Firstly, the potting soil in your planters dries out much more slowly. Where you might have to water twice a day on a south-facing balcony, the soil in the shade stays moist for much longer. This not only saves time but also ensures a more consistent environment for your plants' roots.

Additionally, the colors of shade plants often remain much more vibrant. Bright sun can cause the colors of flowers and leaves to fade ('bleach'), while in the shade, they retain their deep, rich hues. Moreover, the temperature on a shady balcony is much more pleasant for both you and your plants during a heatwave.

Why the Vercony planter is perfect for shade

On a railing balcony with a lot of shade, light is precious. You don't want heavy, bulky screens that block the last bit of indirect light. The Vercony planter is the ideal solution here. Our planter sits on the floor and extends outwards through the railing. This offers a specific advantage for a shady balcony:

• Light incidence: Because the planter is on the ground, the railing remains clear, allowing maximum indirect light to flow into your living room.
• Stable temperature: In the shade, a balcony floor can sometimes remain cool. Our planter utilizes this coolness, which is ideal for plants that don't like 'hot feet'.
• Atmosphere through the railing: Since shade plants often have beautiful foliage (like ferns or hostas), it creates a very luxurious effect when these leaves curl outwards through the railing.

The best plants for a balcony with a lot of shade

When shopping for your balcony with a lot of shade, look for plants labeled 'partial shade' or 'shade'. These are the stars that will do fantastically in the Vercony planter:

• Ferns: Nothing says 'woodland oasis' quite like a fern. They love the coolness and moist soil in a shade planter. Their delicate leaves contrast beautifully with the sleek railings of your balcony.

• Hosta (Plantain Lily): Known for their spectacular leaves in shades from blue-gray to bright green. Hostas thrive in pots on the ground and will completely fill the Vercony planter with lush foliage.

• Fuchsia: Still want color? The Fuchsia is the queen of shade. Its hanging flowers look like little lanterns and grow beautifully outwards through the railing.

• Hydrangea: Some compact varieties do well in a large planter on a shady balcony. They immediately add volume and a classic look.

• Ivy (Hedera): As we discussed earlier, ivy is a champion in the shade. It's evergreen and can transform your entire railing into a green wall from the planter on the floor.

Playing with color and texture

On a balcony with a lot of shade, it's less about blooms and more about texture and leaf color. You can create a beautiful effect by combining plants with different leaf shapes in your Vercony planters. Think of the large, smooth leaves of a Hosta next to the delicate, feathery leaves of a fern.

Still want some bright spots? Choose plants with 'variegated' leaves (green with white or yellow edges). This reflects the little light available and makes the darker corners of your balcony visually lighten up. White flowers, like those of the Busy Lizzie, also 'pop' in the shade and give your balcony a fresh look.

Maintenance on the shady balcony

Although you'll need to water less often than on a sunny balcony, maintenance is still important. On a balcony with a lot of shade, the soil dries out less quickly, which also means you need to be careful of 'wet feet'. Always ensure that the drainage of your planters is in order. The Vercony planter is designed to allow excess water to escape, but a layer of hydro pellets at the bottom remains a smart move.

Because there is less evaporation in the shade, sometimes moss or green algae can appear more quickly on the planters or the balcony floor. Make it a habit to wipe down the planters with a damp cloth during your balcony maintenance. This way, your green paradise will always look well-kept.

Make it cozy

A shady balcony is excellent for creating a cozy atmosphere. Because the sun isn't burning, you can use beautiful fabric cushions and wooden furniture without them fading quickly. Combine your Vercony planters with atmospheric outdoor lighting, such as battery-operated lanterns or string lights along the railing. Especially at dusk, when the plants in the shade slowly darken, these little lights create a magical effect.

Conclusion

A balcony with a lot of shade is not a limitation but an opportunity to create a unique, cool, and tranquil outdoor space. By choosing robust shade plants and giving them a stable place in the Vercony planters, you make optimal use of the space between the railings. You'll enjoy deep greenery, beautiful textures, and a balcony that remains an oasis of calm even on the warmest days. Who needs full sun when the shade can look so good?