Overwintered pelagonium

Balcony

We have both north and south facing balconies. Immediately below the north balcony is a young wisteria; a plant that was in flower when purchased so hopefully we will not have to wait twenty years for it to flower, as you may often find with a seed sown specimen. The pea like blue flowers will eventually be trained along the lower edge of the balcony, and their colour will restrict our choice of plants for placing on that north balcony in years to come. One of the best wisteria for miles around sprouts from a footpath outside a butchers shop in Figueres. I’ll photograph it for next spring’s blog page.

The north facing balcony gets hot early morning sunshine and almost as hot afternoon shade on a summer’s day. I was tempted to try a trailing fuchsia last year but the plant was unable to cope with the rapidly drying compost and conditions. Whichever plants we choose this year we will add a water retentive gel to the mix, in an attempt to even out the drying period.

Balcony flowers for next year will defiantly include the classic pelargoniums and geraniums for which Spanish balconies are famous. Planted en-mass they put on a fantastic show that is hard to match. The only disappointment is the lack of fragrance, though perfume from nearby jasmine flowers should compensate, and the lavenders will help too.

Pelagonium at the pool

Classic Mediterranean plants like the zonal Pelagoniums mistakenly tho' often called Geraniums near cease to please. Here set against the bright azul of the pool the plant looks particularly eye catching.