8 dwarf shrubs to grow in pots on a north-facing balcony
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Have a north-facing balcony and feel dismayed? Dream of lush vegetation and fragrant flowering? There are dwarf shrubs for pots that tolerate shade and withstand lack of sun! They make perfect plants to dress that shady corner, bringing light, colour and fragrance. Flowering bush, with deciduous or evergreen foliage, some varieties, more compact than others, are ideal for growing in pots. Hardy, tolerant of cold and windy exposures, undemanding, these compact plants settle in pots or large containers and can overwinter outdoors. They simply need more attention than in-ground counterparts: feed to support flowering and growth and regular watering all year round because in pots the growing medium dries out much faster than in-ground.
Here is a selection of 10 dwarf shrubs to grow in pots on a shaded balcony!
Mahonia 'Soft Caress': thornless foliage
Mahonia eurybractea ‘Soft Caress’ is a small evergreen shrubs that needs deep shade to thrive. It is therefore best used in large pots, away from scorching sun. It flowers from September to November, displaying pale lemon-yellow flowers with a mimosa scent on thornless foliage (unlike classic Mahonia varieties), delicate and very architectural, reminiscent of a fern. The flowering is followed by blue-tinged berries that extend its ornamental interest. A boon for brightening north-facing balconies! After 10 years it will not exceed 1 m in height, with a spreading of 150 cm. Its soft evergreen foliage allows creating a display in the off-season without risk of being pricked! Hardy to -20°C, easy to grow, this is a truly original bush that fits perfectly in an Asian- or exotic-inspired setting.
→ Find everything you need to know and our tips to grow these lovely bushes in our fact sheet: “Mahonia: plant, prune and maintain”
Camellia sasanqua 'Waterfall Pink': flowering cascade
This is the most groundcovering of autumn camellias! ‘Waterfall Pink’ dislikes scorching sun. At maturity, it should not exceed 1 m in height with a spread of 1.70 m. This original variety will bring tremendous charm to a shaded balcony. It becomes a very beautiful cascade of blooms in autumn. Its evergreen foliage, dark glossy green, is adorned from October to November with beautiful, fresh-pink flowers. Attractive all year round, this bush will make a splash!
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Hydrangea paniculata 'Silver Dollar': delicate, romantic flowering
A container planting allows to grow a hydrangea even in a small space. Some varieties adapt well to this use, such as Hydrangea paniculata ‘Silver Dollar’. This lovely variety is notable for its compact habit, it grows remarkably well in a pot and tolerates shade. It does not exceed 1.5 m in any direction (bearing in mind the largest hydrangeas reach 2 m in height). Plant in a pot large and wide enough, at least twice the size of the rootball and preferably sheltered from wind. Its flowering in large conical panicles of small cream flowers developing to pinkish-white is delicate and romantic. This small bush displays very good hardiness, allowing it to remain outdoors year-round.
Leucothoe axillaris 'Twisting Red': twisted foliage and autumn colour
This small shrub will brighten shaded areas of your balcony! ‘Twisting Red’ bears small leaves that are generally evergreen, nicely twisted and curled, very colourful, which turn crimson from autumn through to spring. This cultivar, selected for its compact habit, will not exceed 30 to 50 cm in height and 40 to 60 cm in spread. This curious plant for acidic soil will thrive in deep shade on your balcony, retaining its purple foliage throughout winter. Ideal for adding a very personal, Japanese-inspired touch to your balcony.
⇒ Leucothoe: planting, cultivation, pruning and maintenance
Acer palmatum 'Ornatum': a very ornamental and compact variety
This Japanese maple has an original look of a miniature weeping willow. The Acer palmatum ‘Ornatum’ bears very finely and deeply dissected leaves that cover it from top to ground! Space-saving yet sculptural, this small tree will quickly become focal point on your balcony! At ripeness, it remains relatively low and will reach on average 1.25 m in height with a 90 cm to 1 m spread; it is among most compact varieties, making it particularly suited to container planting. It changes colour each season, moving from light red-bronze in spring to green-bronze in summer, finishing in autumn with flamboyant crimson and orange tones.
Skimmia japonica 'Magic Marlot': a profusion of pink stars on variegated foliage
‘Magic Marlot’ is a shrub with a very compact habit, 50 to 80 cm tall, that tolerates fairly difficult conditions to establish and will flower even in shade : in April–May it produces clouds of small star-shaped pink buds that open cream-white. This early, delicate flowering gives off a sweet vanilla scent. Its evergreen, variegated foliage is decorative all year round. It is perfectly hardy, but give it a spot sheltered from prevailing cold draughts.
Skimmia japonica ‘Magic Marlot’ : plant and inflorescence (Photo Flickr-HQ)
Sarcococca 'Winter Gem': an enchanting winter fragrance
Alongside Daphne and witch-hazel, it is one of the few winter-scented shrubs! Despite its modest size – Sarcococca ‘Winter Gem’ will not exceed 70 to 80 cm in any direction even after many years – it charms with its delightfully fragrant flowering that will perfume your balcony during winter months. This sarcococca has a very compact habit and wears beautiful glossy evergreen foliage. From January to March, its small white and pink flowers give off an extraordinary, captivating scent of jasmine and lily-of-the-valley. Hardy and undemanding, it will delight you by bringing a springlike touch to your balcony during the bleak season!
Daphne cneorum: exceptional flowering and fragrance
Daphne is a hardy shrub with delicate star-shaped flowering that exudes an exceptional fragrance. Another asset: its glossy, leathery foliage that remains during a mild winter. Its rather heterogeneous family includes dwarf varieties, ideal for adding blooms to a balcony! The Daphne cneorum is a low-growing variety characterised by its prostrate habit and fine evergreen foliage. It does not exceed 30 cm in height with a 1.50 m spreading and, although it loves sun, it tolerates shade well. In April–May, umbels of carmine-pink flowers with a powerful carnation scent come into bloom. Container growing is possible provided it has excellent drainage and the plant is given water and fertiliser regularly. Choose a large container 30 to 40 cm in diameter from the start (it is a fussy plant that does not appreciate repotting), and you will enjoy its exceptional flowering and fragrance!
⇒ Daphne: how to plant, grow and care for it?
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