Container Problem can anyone advise?

[wendya]

My balcony troughs are giving me problems, most plants I had in them last year didn't like them at all and I had to move, some died, they have drainage lost of small stones, but then just normal compost. The only thing I have in it that will grow is cyclamens in one and a budglia in other other.

This is a pic from last year.



I know I am not good position with sun NE facing, but can you suggest anything, a bounaserius (spelt wrong) survived but god too big and had to be removed downstairs.
All bedding plants found it hard to thrive

[Jasmine]

Do your pots have drainage holes wendya? Most things will struggle if they are in a pot with no proper drainage as it's so hard to get the watering just right.
If the pots do have drainage holes then maybe it's just down to sunshine levels and you may have to look at shade loving plants. Bedding plants tend to thrive in sun but I don't think fuchsias mind a bit of shade. There are so many lovely shade plants though.

[Jilly]

I agree about the drainage wendya,

I've got Fuchsias in north facing containers & they flower very well, also Begonias are happy in shade & we just so happen to be having a Begonia compy this year.


gardenworld.proboards.com/thread/10972/begonias-bloom-challenge-2015

[Rosefriend]

I feel the same wendya, - check for 'oles and then some of the Begonias these days are really wonderful and mixed with shade lovers - even some ferns - there are really some fantastic varieties. I feel that Fuchsias's do need a bit more sun to be really good but even then there are some that want more shade...but Busy Lizzies would be good..

What about Coleus...great leaf structure...

www.thegardenhelper.com/coleus.html

or Hostas...have to watch for slugs..

www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/hosta/growing-hosta-plants.htm

[andy]

Ferns ? Polypodium vulgare ? I also have Epimedium and Ajuga in full, dry shade. Phlox paniculata doesn't mind a bit of shade either

[wendya]

Yes definitely enough drainage guys just think lack of sun.
Ok will look into begonia and fushcias. Thanks Andy not sure what these are so will have to look them up.
I have a hosta already, but gets a bit big on balcony. But Ferns now i like those good thought.

Thank you

[wendya]

andy, I like the Epimedium is there a certain type that will grow in darker areas or do all of them do OK as looking at them, there seems to be lots of different ones. Any tips? which would do best

[andy]

They all seem to do well Wendy....i have some that get no sun at all and are in deep shade from trees

[wendya]

Thanks.