Top tips for balcony gardeners to create Best in Show outdoor spaces
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, running from 20-24 May 2025, is known for its leading role in inspiring gardeners with new ideas, trends and inspiration. One exciting area of focus at the show is balcony and container gardens, emphasising how much urban gardeners can achieve in smaller spaces.
“Balconies have so much potential when it comes to creating vibrant outdoor spaces. The versatility of the designs at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show demonstrate that imagination is the only limit when it comes to balcony gardening. We are excited to see how the show inspires Quintain Living residents at Wembley Park to create exceptional outdoor balcony spaces.”
Danielle Bayless, Chief Operating Officer, Quintain Living
The latest building from Quintain Living – the award-winning management company overseeing the rental of over 3,500 apartments in Wembley Park, named one of the Best Places to Live 2025 by The Sunday Times – is the ultra-contemporary Luna, where every home comes with its own balcony that’s perfect for planting. Many homes overlook the stunning wildflower meadows of Union Park, creating an inspirational backdrop for green-fingered residents looking to bring their balconies into bloom.
For those keen to create a Best in Show balcony of their own, the Quintain Living team has shared these top tips:
1. Choose container-friendly plants
Some plants thrive more than others in containers, so consider your selection carefully. Roses, lilies, clematis, asters and agapanthus all grow well in containers and can bring smaller spaces alive with colour. Certain trees species will also perform well in containers, including Japanese maples and topiary specimens including holly, bay and yew.
2. Let your palate lead you
Containers are ideal for growing many herbs, vegetables and even fruit trees, such as olives, apricots, cherries, citrus fruits and restricted apple trees. Be sure to water generously during the warmer months. Let your palate lead you when it comes to choosing herbs and vegetables. For the latter, tomatoes, carrots, peas, potatoes, radishes, peppers, chillis and salad onions will all work well in pots.
3. Consider climbers
Climbing plants can create a wonderful sense of enclosure in nature when used on a balcony. Whether you use a trellis or simply let the plants climb the balcony railings, you can surround yourself with flowers to create a stunning, tranquil outdoor reading nook. Climbing roses and sweet peas will work well, bringing fragrance as well as blooms, while clematis and passion flowers are ideal for striking colour.
4. Go beyond colour
While beautiful blooms look beautiful, going beyond colour to think about plants’ different textures, heights and leaf shapes can take your balcony space to the next level. Create tiers with larger and smaller pots and get creative when it comes to your choice of flowers and shrubs. Choose dahlias, poppies, New Zealand flax and coleus to get you off to a flying start.
5. Embrace the latest planting products
Even those who don’t have green fingers can create thriving balconies. Self-watering planters can ensure your flowers, herbs and vegetables survive even the most sporadic care, so are an excellent choice if you’re away from home. Water storing crystals are another good choice, as they hold onto moisture, which plants can then tap into when they need it.
6. Compare your pots
The containers you choose are often just as important as the plants within them. Wooden planters and plastic, metal, lined wicker and terracotta pots can all create a unique vibe on your balcony, so think about what will look good, as well as what your budget will stretch to. Vintage shops and reclamation yards are a great place to pick up pre-loved pots and planters that will look great and save you money.
7. Be kind to the bees
Whatever you grow, giving pollinators a helping hand on your balcony is always a good idea. Foxgloves, lavender, honeysuckle, buddleja and bellflowers will all delight the bees while keeping your outdoor space bright and fragrant.
