Difficult location

Paul CS

Hi Guys and Gals. I would like to put some shrubs on my balcony in pots. It's west facing, can be very windy, with a roof?
I've got a fire thorn shrubs which is going well. I want all year round interest, maybe flowers in spring and berries in autumn to complement the thorn bush.
Any ideas gratefully received. P.

Borderline

Plants with small leaves, or shrubs that have stiff stems and leathery leaves tend to cope with windy conditions. Arbutus Unedo copes very well with wind, but you will need a generous container for it. Evergreen foliage and small white bell flowers hang in late autumn whilst previous year's flowers mature into small red fruits. Decorative for the winter months.

Olive trees also work well. Silvery foliage and small creamy flowers followed by olives, sometimes. Nadina Domestica will do well if you have enough sun. Red tipped foliage with stiff stems. Small white frothy flowers  followed by small red berries. Rosemary & Lavender shrubs also cope well with wind. 

If you live in a sheltered area, you could also look into Callistemon shrubs. Evergreen leaves, copes with wind and has bright coloured flowers from reds to pinks and sometimes lemon colour. 

Paul CS

Thanks alot. I'll look into these. P.

raisingirl

It depends a bit how cold the wind is. I don't find either rosemary or lavender put up with it here - the leaves burn. Rosemary is a big plant so not ideal for pots. French lavender, oddly (because it's tender) seems to cope better than English lavender. That may be fluke.

On the whole, I can't grow evergreens in my windy garden. Euphorbias are the main exception, although holly and juniper also do OK, as do the whipcord hebes. Big leaved hebes - the more common sort - die very promptly with the first autumn storms.

Grasses do fine.

Agapanthus don't seem to mind the wind either, if they are growing in a sunny spot and have some winter protection.

hogweed

I think any of the hedging shrubs would do well. Escallonia or cotoneaster or pittosporum for example. 

Paul CS

Thanks raisingirl, it seems you have the same issues. My hebes, fushia and a rose have all gone
 

Paul CS

Thanks hogweed, I like the look of the Escallonia, that's a new one to me. P.