How to dress a balcony railing?

Plants suitable for a railing

Dressing the railing with greenery is undoubtedly the most beautiful option, especially as it also helps to refresh the atmosphere. You can literally create a cocoon of greenery by exaggerating the presence of pots and planters, giving the balcony the feel of a mini suspended garden! Opt for climbing plants and trailing plants that will gracefully cascade along the railing, as well as perennials that thrive in containers.

• Climbing Plants

The wisteria works wonders in a pot on a balcony, concealing the guardrail and providing privacy, while producing numerous flowers in a confined space. Its foliage dresses the railing, provided it is guided properly. For this purpose, choose a non-invasive wisteria like Wisteria venusta ‘Okayama’ and a pot-friendly wisteria. Clematis are the most suitable flowers for climbing along a railing: light and medium-sized. Also consider the Japanese bindweed, charming, practical, and long-flowering. Provide light support for them to climb properly. Don’t forget small fruit trees: kiwi or climbing strawberry like ‘Mount Everest’…

When it comes to foliage, ivy remains the king of climbing plants on balcony railings! There are many varieties with different leaf colours.

Read also: 7 perfect clematis for pots, ivy in pots: 5 pairing ideas

• Trailing Plants

There are many annuals and perennials that will cascade over the pot or planter. These are the ones we are mainly interested in! They can be chosen from creeping plants that will, thanks to their flexible stems, spill over the pot, camouflaging the railing: among the flowers, opt for fuchsia, creeping lantana (Lantana montevidensis), begonias like ‘Golden Balcony’ or ‘Bonfire’, trailing geraniums, wall campanula, aubrieta, some long-flowering Bidens like ‘Pirate’s Pearl’, lobelia, petunias, scaevola, Convolvulus cneorum, plumbago, and Thunbergia grandiflora in mild climates… But also creeping clover, Calystegia, Thunbergia alata (Black-eyed Susan), etc.

For foliage, the choice is quite broad as we again find many ivies to let cascade this time, or the Muehlenbeckia, this lovely plant with tiny leaves, delightfully creeping, the morning glories (Ipomea batatas) for their golden or purple foliage, creeping rosemary in a slightly larger pot, but also some grasses like stipa or pennisetum, and why not Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus, controlling it so it doesn’t bother the neighbour below), etc…

→ Read also: How to make a begonia planter?, Growing a fuchsia in a pot; 4 climbing plants to grow on a windy balcony, 5 climbing plants to grow in pots on a north-facing balcony, 5 climbing plants to grow in pots on a south-facing balcony, 6 climbing plants to grow in pots on a west-facing balcony, and 5 climbing plants to grow in pots on an east-facing balcony

Thunbergia grandiflora, Muehlenbeckia, Fuchsia, ivy

Choose the right containers

Pots and planters contribute to the style you wish to create on your balcony:

• Large containers such as tall planters, with a contemporary style, serve as privacy screens due to their size. Not only are they very aesthetic, with a small footprint, as they are narrow (often 30 cm), but once planted with dense vegetation, they effectively conceal and allow you to see without being seen. If you choose this solution, it is better not to mix the containers and maintain a colour unity. They are effective when aligned on long balconies or on small balconies with a contemporary atmosphere. They are ideal for accommodating small bushes or shrubs, grasses, and perennial plants.

• Traditional planters are the stars of balconies. They have the advantage of being readily available in many sizes and colours, often made of lightweight plastic. They wonderfully accommodate trailing plants, annuals, and small fruits. They can be easily distributed on ornate old railings, allowing you to dress the entire guardrail if desired by placing them on two levels using hook supports. Be sure to always hang them on the inside of the balcony!

In old balconies or small house balconies, the charm of abundant planters is present

• You can also imagine a more eclectic balcony, where you distribute pots of different sizes to create a sort of jungle, or conversely, simply place pots on the ground or on a small table, tripod, or bench to give them a bit of height and fill spaces, in a zen or romantic spirit. Planters on stands are also in vogue. The “jungle balcony” option will be chosen as soon as the depth of the balcony allows. In this case, the pots, like the large containers, are backed against the guardrail.

→ Read also: Which plants for a zen balcony?, Which plants for a romantic balcony?, Which plants for an exotic balcony?, which plants for a contemporary balcony?

Decorate the railing with trellises.

If you don’t have a green thumb, often find yourself away without being able to ensure regular watering, are exposed to full sun, or prefer a very minimalist environment, screens are another option that can be ornamental by choosing beautiful materials in harmony with the style of your home. Here are the most beautiful and trendy options:

• The most common, and least expensive, is wicker or bamboo screening. It naturally dresses up a small balcony while allowing some natural light to filter through. It’s easy to install on any railing with bars. With suitable, simple, and movable furniture like a deck chair or a rattan chair, and a small wooden coffee table, it quickly creates the desired intimacy in the city. Adding a beautiful planter or a single pot is enough to make the balcony charming and secluded.
• Heather bracken, a bit more expensive, will provide more privacy while maintaining a natural feel. It is justified when there are more direct views in urban settings. Like the wicker, it instantly brings a holiday vibe!
• Wattle fencing: although more open, it is a lovely option for balconies by the sea… or to bring a holiday atmosphere to the city. Again, natural materials are key, and it should be adorned with several pots of flowers or foliage to achieve a sufficiently green result.
• Decorative nets: increasingly popular, they are an economical alternative to the screens mentioned above: hemp safety nets or military-style camouflage fabric nets, with mesh that can vary in size.
• Woven hazel panels, more expensive, are available in low heights (1.20 m).
• Finally, an outdoor screen, made of three-panel wicker, can be brought out whenever you enjoy the balcony, adding a decorative touch while blocking the view from neighbours. Positioned on the side most exposed to the balcony views, it can be complemented with a planter of climbing plants or two or three pots.

N.B.: It is important to check the rules of your homeowners’ association or your local municipality before installing this type of screen or privacy screens. In some cases, there may be restrictions on the height or type of materials you can use.

Screens come in many materials (© Gwenaëlle David-Authier)

The constraints of a railing

When designing a balcony railing, there are several factors to consider to ensure that your decorations are both beautiful and practical:

1. Safety: This is probably the most important factor to consider. Ensure that your arrangements do not obstruct passage and do not pose a risk of falling. Avoid placing items that could easily fall from the balcony. As a result, many buildings prohibit the use of planters.
2. Compliance with condominium regulations: In many buildings, homeowners’ associations have specific rules regarding what can be placed on balconies. Make sure to consult these rules before you start dressing your railing. For example, some buildings may prohibit the use of fairy lights or impose a maximum height for screens, or even ban them altogether. Other condominiums have specific rules regarding the appearance and maintenance of balconies: they may require that planters be kept in good condition and that plants do not exceed a certain height.
3. Weight: Balconies have a limited load capacity, so it is essential to pay attention to the weight of your pots and planters. If you are unsure of your balcony’s load capacity, it is best to consult a professional for advice.
4. Weather resistance: As the balcony is an outdoor space, it is exposed to the elements. Choose materials that can withstand rain, sun, wind, and snow as much as possible. If you use textiles, they should be resistant to sun fading and moisture rot.
5. Maintenance: Consider how much maintenance you are willing to undertake. Most plants grown in pots on a railing require regular watering and pruning.
6. Aesthetics: While this is not a matter of safety or functionality, you want your balcony to be attractive. Think about how your decorations will harmonise with the overall appearance of your flat or house.

Keep in mind that dressing your balcony should be a balance between aesthetic appeal, functionality, and safety. In any case, it is best to consult your condominium rules or speak to your property manager before adding planters or containers to your balcony.

→ Read also: gardening in a block of flats