6 climbing plants to grow in pots on a west-facing balcony

Wisteria, with its exuberant clusters of fragrant flowers

The wisteria (Wisteria) is a vigorous climbing plant with spring flowering, sometimes re-flowering during the summer.

It produces beautiful clusters of fragrant flowers, cascading down like waterfalls, in shades of blue, mauve, or white.

For cultivation on a balcony, choose the more compact varieties (4 to 5 metres in height at maturity) that are hardy down to -15°C, such as:

• the ‘Blue Moon’ wisteria, with flowers of a soft lavender-blue;
• the American wisteria with its mauve hues;
• the Japanese wisteria, which offers flowers of immaculate white.

The green deciduous foliage will add a touch of lightness and exoticism to the balcony. It can also provide appreciated shade during the late summer evenings exposed to the west.

Fast-growing and vigorous, these climbing plants will require support to properly guide their robust branches. Regular pruning will help contain their growth and encourage re-flowering in some varieties.

To grow wisteria, plan for a large container. Easy to succeed, the plant thrives in even poor soils and enjoys sunny to partially shaded situations.

Also, check out our buying guide to choose your wisteria.

Wisteria frutescens ‘Amethyst Falls’ and Wisteria venusta

Ipomoea, the touch of exoticism on the balcony

The ipomoeas or climbing bindweeds (also known as blue bindweeds) are lovely plants native to tropical regions.

Some climbing varieties will brighten up your balcony with their abundant colourful flowering throughout the summer, even until the first frosts. The trumpet or funnel-shaped flowers display beautiful bright shades:

• Ipomoea tricolor ‘Ismay’ offers a soft blue veined with dark blue;
• Ipomoea rubrocaerulea ‘Crimson Rambler’ is adorned with a sparkling purple-pink with a white centre;
• Ipomoea purpurea ‘Grandpa Ott’ produces dark blue flowers, highlighted by a red star and a hypnotic white centre;
• Ipomoea purpurea ‘Venice blue’ delights us with an original white flowering striped with violet.

Climbing ipomoeas reach about 2 to 3 metres in height.

Generally not hardy, they are grown as annual plants, except in the South where they can become perennials.

The cultivation of ipomoeas requires little maintenance: choose a suitably sized container (minimum 40 cm), filled with rich but light potting soil. Water as soon as the substrate dries out, especially in summer.

Growing very quickly, the climbing stems of the ipomoea will cling to any support, from trellises to dress up a wall to the balcony railing. A west-facing position will provide the necessary sunlight in the late afternoon to ensure beautiful flowering.

Ipomoea rubrocaerulea ‘Crimson Rambler’, Ipomoea purpurea ‘Venice blue’ and Ipomoea purpurea ‘Grandpa Ott’

Nasturtium, a long flowering period of bright colour.

Nasturtiums offer a long, bright flowering period from mid-spring to autumn. The climbing varieties will quickly adorn a balcony railing or trellis with their tendrils.

The funnel-shaped flowers, with a centre revealing a very graphic spur, come in magnificent shades of colour:

• Tropaeolum majus ‘Baby Orange’ produces yellow flowers speckled with orange;
• ‘Red Wonder double’ is adorned with vibrant red flowers;
• ‘Salmon Gleam’ delights us with a beautiful shade of cream and salmon orange;
• some Tropaeolum majus varieties even boast double flowers with multiple petals.

With low hardiness (down to about -5°C), they are grown as annuals and reach about 2 metres in height at ripeness.

Their very rounded foliage, reminiscent of mini water lilies, adds an ornamental touch to this beautiful climbing plant.

The planting of nasturtiums in pots is almost foolproof, even for beginner gardeners. The plant prefers sandy, dry soils in a warm location.

Nasturtium is widely used in the garden for its ability to attract aphids, thus protecting neighbouring crops.

Finally, the flowers, buds, and leaves are all edible: they will add a surprising peppery herbaceous note and a splash of colour to your salads and summer dishes.

Tropaeolum majus ‘Red Wonder’ and Tropaeolum majus

The dipladenia, with its stunning star-shaped flowers

The dipladenias, mandevilla or Brazilian jasmine are climbing voluble plants that offer a long, colourful flowering period. From late spring to autumn, the plant produces beautiful star-shaped trumpet flowers, delicately scented:

• Dipladenia Diamantina ‘Jade Scarlet’ produces scarlet red flowers, borne on glossy green foliage;
• ‘Opale Fuchsia Flammé’ offers magnificent pink flowers with a fuchsia throat, remaining vibrant even under the scorching rays of the sun.

Of small dimensions (less than one metre) and compact, dipladenias will quickly adorn small balconies.

Their Brazilian origins confer low hardiness. They should therefore be grown as annuals or protected from the cold in winter.

Growing dipladenia does not require much care. The plant is drought-resistant, low in water requirements, and will only need to be staked to climb well.

Dipladenia sanderi ‘Diamantina Jade Scarlet’, Dipladenia sanderi ‘Diamantina Opale Fuchsia Flammé’ and Dipladenia hybrida ‘Diamantina Jade White’

Climbing solanum, a graceful liana

The solanum climbing plants are lianas native to South America, belonging to the potato family. Ideal for west-facing balconies, they offer a very light and refined star-shaped flowering from spring until the first frosts.

• Solanum jasminoides ‘Bleu’ produces clusters of fragrant flowers in light blue and mauve shades, illuminated by a heart of yellow stamens;
• Solanum jasminoides ‘Album’ is adorned with lightly fragrant flowers, pure white at the centre, sunny with orange-yellow stamens;
• Solanum crispum ‘Glasnevin’, a woody climbing stem with beautiful mauve flowers and an orange heart, reveals decorative fruits at the end of its flowering.

With low hardiness (-5°C to -10°C on average), solanum are well suited for pot cultivation, which can be wintered in a sheltered spot.

Fast-growing, these climbing plants can reach up to 5 metres in height and 2 metres in spread. The plant will climb any support (fencing, trellis, railing, wall…) and regular pruning will help shape its silhouette harmoniously.

Drought-resistant, it is a classic of Mediterranean gardens and an easy plant to grow. Find our tips for properly maintaining solanum.

Solanum jasminoides ‘Bleu’ (photo Javoy Palntes), Solanum jasminoides ‘Album’ and Solanum crispum ‘Glasnevin’

Vine, to enjoy beautiful clusters of grapes on the balcony

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) is a hardy climbing plant. While its flowering is insignificant, it is mainly appreciated for its ornamental foliage and, of course, for its sweet fruits at the end of summer.

For balconies, favour less sprawling table grape varieties (3 to 5 metres in height) that are resistant to diseases:

• the ‘Philipp’ grapevine, a variety with unique black fruits, featuring a pointed pyramidal shape;
• the ‘Aperina Nera’ grapevine, producing large seedless black grapes;
• ‘Madeleine Royale’, with juicy, sweet yellow fruits;
• ‘Ampelia Perdin’, a variety highly resistant to diseases and suited to the northern Loire regions, offering delicious golden berries.

Generally hardy down to -15°C, the grapevine can be grown in a pot on a balcony in most regions.

To grow a grapevine, select a large container and provide well-drained, gravelly soil.

Once trained, its vigorous woody climbing stems will withstand even the strongest winds from the west. As for the tendrils of its younger stems, they will cling to the slightest support.

Just be sure to prune the grapevine regularly to aerate it and help it maintain a beautiful shape.

Vitis vinifera ‘Philipp’ and Vitis vinifera ‘Aperina Nera’