Potted flowers for an apartment?

Question

I was wanting to grow some flowers out on my deck. Any suggestions on flowers? I live in Nebraska and my deck I believe will be fairly shaded from direct sunlight (it's covered with a large tree right outside) I would like to grow some nice colorful flowers out on my deck though, any suggestions?

Answer 1

Well you can definitely grow impatiens. Besides those, you should try Coleus, Fiberous (Wax) Begonias, Trailing Lobelia.

Don't be afraid to experiment with other flowers that might be listed for part sun as well, sometimes they'll do just fine. Lastly, experiment with tropical foliage plants, used as annuals. Like Caladium, Croton, Philodendron and Ivy's... you can have alot of fun with the foliage colors and textures.

I hope that this helps,
Good luck

Answer 2

Observe your deck on a sunny day and make a note once each hour of where the shaded areas are. You may find places where there is more sun than you currently think. Plant requirements for full sun is 6 hours or more, part sun is 4 hours, part shade is 1 to 3 hours, full shade is no direct sun. Also keep in mind that sun in the morning is gentler and afternoon sun hotter.
Flowers sold in any garden center or even Walmart or K-mart, will be tagged with their sun/shade needs and whether they are perennial (come back each year) or annual (die after summer) If this is the first time you are potting flowers, you may want to try several types to see what works best for you.
If you find that your porch is part shade, your choices are limited, but Impatiens are fool-proof and will give you lots of color. They are available in many shades, but be sure to avoid the New Guinea variety as these are bred for sunny locations. Coleus would be another good shade choice, but are not flowers but plants with very colorful leaves - they are often grown as house plants. A shade perennial you might try if you have a rather large pot is Hosta, a leafy plant with tall spiky flowers. Give it some water during the warmer winter days and it should come back for you the following spring! There are also some beautiful ferns you could try.
Whatever you choose, remember to have a few drainage holes so the plants don't get water-logged and plenty of water during hot spells. A bit of fertilizer occasionally (any one will do) will also get you up and blooming quickly. Also, don't choose very small containers because the soil will dry out too quickly and stress the plants. Good luck!

Answer 3

impatients