Balcony boxes for flowers: what are they and how to choose them?

Today balconies and loggias are decorated and equipped with various useful and functional accessories. This category includes balcony flower boxes, presented in a wide variety.

Despite the fact that balcony boxes for growing flowers are not found on every balcony or loggia, special requirements are imposed on such useful and decorative items, thanks to which their functionality is ensured, and the room combined with the dwelling looks laconic. The main nuances regarding the use of such containers are presented below.

• An important issue will be the shape of the containers being placed. Square specimens should be used for cultivating one culture, large sizes can be. It is best to install such boxes in the corner in order to make the most of the usable area. For loggias that are not constrained in free space, you can use containers that are more complex in configuration, placing them in an arbitrary order according to the general style. Rectangular options should be used to cultivate flower arrangements represented by one or more cultures.
• Fixing and placing any type of plant box will require special approach to the control of horizontal fastening or location, so that when watering in the soil, the liquid is evenly distributed.
• Such indicator of boxes as durability deserves special attention.... Despite the variety of cultures that are used for placement on the balcony, such a moment is considered very important, and not only in terms of decorative attractiveness, but also in terms of the operational resource of the containers.
• Containers for flowers, regardless of the type of material used for their production, must conduct heat well. The ability to grow plants in this way largely depends on this. For balconies facing south, it is more correct to use light-colored containers, which will exclude the possibility of overheating of the plants in the summer months. An important nuance will be to ensure good aeration of the soil, which is an urgent issue regarding the development of the root system.
• If the flower boxes are to be used on the balcony with fasteners, holders of various configurations, it is worth considering products made from lightweight raw materials.

In light of the large assortment of boxes for placing flowers on loggias, modern products are presented in the following categories.

• Suspended containersdesigned to be fixed to the railing. This option will be suitable for non-glazed balconies. Products for plant rooting are sold in conjunction with special metal holders. Based on the shape of the container and the type of fastener, such boxes can be placed both outside and inside the loggias.

• Floor boxes... As a rule, products of this kind stand out among other types for their decorative appeal. Among the options available, you can choose deep boxes in which it will be possible to root large crops, as well as lightweight options designed for single-row planting.

• Boxes with automatic watering. A modern option for lovers of green flora on the balcony who do not have enough time to care. The main difference between such containers from other types is the presence of a special reservoir with water, which enters the soil of the plantings through a drainage system consisting of small pipes. Such options can provide existing crops with a three-month supply of vital fluid, provided the root system is appropriately sized.

The classification of containers for flowers also depends on the size of the container. Among the presented assortment you can find the following boxes:

• up to 25 centimeters deep;
• wide containers with a width and depth of more than 20 centimeters;
• boxes with a length of at least 1 meter.

Manufacturers today use the following materials to make crates.

• Plastic... A durable and practical material that is in great demand. The products are presented in various colors - from standard white and beige containers to boxes imitating wood color in different shades. There are also options for plastic boxes in bright colors, which are selected for the individual design of the balcony.

• Wicker products. The raw material in this case is a vine or rattan. This category of goods will have a high cost, in addition, the appearance of such containers will be more aesthetically pleasing and more harmonious together with flowering crops. However, wicker containers will require a special approach to the arrangement of drainage holes and waterproofing. Very often, ordinary and sometimes unattractive containers are closed on top with an attractive wicker box, which will have a larger size, as a result of which a functional double container for flowers appears on the balcony.

• Wooden boxes. As a rule, natural raw materials are used for the manufacture of such containers, which, without proper care, can quickly lose their attractiveness under the influence of moisture, earth and sunlight. The use of hanging wooden boxes with flowers on the balcony is an original design option, however, such products must be processed with special compounds without fail. Some owners use double containers to protect the tree from premature wear.

• Metal. Forged and all-metal containers for growing flowering crops are notable for their attractiveness, but containers made of such material in most cases will be heavy, in addition, the metal tends to be very hot from the sun, which can adversely affect the vitality of the crops inside. Metal boxes, like wooden ones, can have any surface color. As a rule, these are brick, black, gold shades, non-standard greens, beige and other variations.

• Ceramics. Quite attractive containers for growing flowers, however, such products are very often made without drainage holes. Ceramic containers will decorate any loggia, the underground part inside will be reliably protected from overheating, and ceramics are also remarkable for their ease of maintenance. Today, manufacturers make boxes with a variety of surface designs, the color palette is represented by a large number of different shades and colors.

It is necessary to select a box for balcony flower maintenance, taking into account the following nuances.

• Considering the proposed options, it is necessary to take into account what impact of external factors will be constantly present during the operation of tanks. Today, polymer materials are distinguished by a large operational resource in comparison with natural raw materials. This applies to resistance to moisture, soil and its components, high air temperature, ultraviolet light.
• In order for the purchased container with flowers to please with its attractiveness, it is important that the purchased boxes facilitate the care of the plants in them. Therefore, it is more correct to purchase containers with drainage holes, to correctly select the volume, depth and size of containers for each plant. It is also worth considering, first of all, double-sided products with a pallet, which will save you from cleaning in the presence of excess moisture in the soil. This is true if the boxes will be attached to the inside of the railing.
• Hanging options should be made of lightweight material with a minimum weight, otherwise you will need to use strong holders and fasteners, which can make it difficult to fix the flower boxes.
• The shape of the box also makes a huge difference. Of course, containers of non-standard options have great decorative appeal, but, as practice shows, in such containers caring for plants can be significantly complicated.

When setting the goal of using flower boxes on a balcony or loggia, it is worth considering options for placing such accessories, taking into account the area of ​​the room. Designers recommend adhering to the following nuances regarding the arrangement of containers with flowers.

• If the balcony is a small and rather narrow room, then purchasing bulky boxes for its design will be a mistake.It is also worth abandoning floor containers, so hanging boxes will be the best option, the fastening of which will take place along the outer part of the railing. Thus, it will be possible to decorate the wall without using the useful meters of the balcony.
• Balconies of medium size can be beautifully decorated with boxes with flowers inside, subject to the angular placement of structures. It is a good idea to place hanging boxes made of plastic, wicker materials.
• Large and spacious balconies do not require compliance with any nuances regarding placement. Therefore, in such rooms, you can safely use floor and mobile flower boxes, forged containers attached to the outside of the railing, boxes of non-standard shapes that can be installed on furniture or fixed to the balcony walls.

Reversible lightweight resin flower boxes will decorate the railing of an unglazed balcony, complementing the room with rich colors and the attractiveness of flowering crops.

Wicker options will perfectly fit into any room interior, and eco-friendly materials will make an ideal and harmonious composition with blooming crops.

Constructions made of natural wood, placed inside, will complement the interior of the loggia, and multi-colored flowers will make it memorable and cozy.

In the video, see an overview of Polish balcony boxes.