It looks like the South...
Oleander (Nerium oleander)
The oleander blooms throughout the summer season in a wide range of colors from pure white to dark red, through a whole range of pinks, yellows and oranges. The flowers are single, semi-double or double depending on the variety chosen. There are cultivars with small development, appreciable in cold climate during the wintering out of frost.
Keys to success: fertile substrate (rose soil or half soil and garden soil), annual resurfacing and repotting every 3 years. Pruning at the end of winter. Regular, copious watering (2 to 3 times a week). Bring in before the first frost.
The olive tree (Olea europea)
The good behavior of the olive tree in a pot justifies the craze of city dwellers for this beautiful Mediterranean tree. In the trade, it can be found trained on a more or less high stem (quarter, half). Choose varieties that are resistant to cold and disease, such as 'Anglandau'. The latter is self-fertile: you can even have olives if the winter is mild!
Keys to success: pot almost as wide as the tree's branch, well-drained substrate (Mediterranean type plants). Water weekly in summer. In winter, avoid waterlogging the soil, especially if it freezes. In cold climates, overwinter out of the freezer (in a lighted, unheated room, not in the house!). Re-pot every 3-4 years.
The hemp palm (Trachycarpus fortunei)
This Chinese palm does well in a container. It keeps modest proportions compatible with balcony life while maintaining a majestic silhouette. Its large, pleated, evergreen fans are topped by a thin, cylindrical trunk.
Keys to success: container twice the size of the root ball, fertile and well-drained substrate. Spare it from cold drafts, mulch generously in autumn and wrap the pot with a winter veil if it freezes for a long time. Re-pot every 3-4 years.
Eucalyptus gunnii
The young foliage of Eucalyptus gunnii is evergreen and particularly decorative, making it a perfect backdrop for all the flowers on the balcony. The round leaves are a beautiful bluish-green with silver reflections and become longer as they age.
Keys to success: a large pot (50 cm minimum), a substrate such as rose soil + 1/3 coarse sand, copious watering in summer to keep the root ball fresh. Protect from cold drafts and winter frosts (winter cover). Re-pot every 3-4 years.
Staging ideas
Around an olive tree that is already well formed in a beautiful terra cotta pot, create a decor with southern accents by welcoming other warm weather enthusiasts. Agave, cordyline or purple phormium can bring a graphic and exotic note. The generous and sparkling bloom of an oleander or a lantana will bring color to the scene all summer long. You may also prefer a softer Provencal version with two or three pots of lavender and a Mauritania bindweed.
