Cacti need full sun exposure, with very few exceptions, and a long warm season exceeding 6 months to grow. The intense activity of the cacti takes place during the spring and summer period, during which, in addition to growth, they also give their unique flowering. As for winter, a period of dormancy, cacti seek temperatures of 5-15°C, although some of them can withstand sub-zero temperatures for a while. Cacti need coarse, sandy, draining soil to grow. An ordinary general-purpose potting soil is not suitable for cacti, as it retains a lot of moisture. That is why we use specialized potting soil for cacti enriched with nutrients. Cacti definitely need fertilization, especially during the spring and summer when they do most of their growth. Specialized fertilizers for cacti, water-soluble with enough trace elements, are needed to improve growth and give their wonderful flowering. We add water-soluble fertilizer to the cacti twice a month for the spring and summer periods.

Gaillardia is an impressive flower with characteristic green-grey foliage and beautiful flowers that resemble daisies in shades of red, yellow and orange. Gaillardia is characterized by abundant and prolonged flowering that lasts from early summer to mid-autumn. It comes from America and belongs to the same family as the sunflower with several varieties, some annual and others perennial and a height varying between 30-90 cm. Gaillardia is an ideal choice for planting in a flower bed, in a rock garden, as well as in a pot on the balcony. The Gaillardia plant gives a wild flower feel to our garden and is also one of the plants that attract butterflies and birds. Gaillardia needs sunny positions to give us its impressive flowering. It wants light and sandy soil that has good drainage, as young Gaillardia plants are sensitive to excess moisture. To plant it in a pot on the balcony, we prefer places with southern exposure and relatively sheltered, as it is sensitive to low temperatures and strong north winds. In any case, we put a layer of gravel at the base of the pot to drain away the water and not to close the holes of the pot due to soil compression.

An ornamental plant even for its leaves. Flowers open on cloudy days. For cultivation, in groups or individually. It is 70 cm tall. It appreciates fresh soil, but be well drained, fertile soils, neutral to alkaline.

There are many types and varieties of basil to choose from. We come across hundreds of varieties of basil, others with smaller or larger leaves, with different colors, tastes and aromas. It is important to mention that most varieties of basil are annuals while there are also some perennials. Depending on our preferences, we can choose curly, broad-leaved, Genovese, nightshade, red (purple), saint or tree basil.

The primrose is the first flower to bloom in winter! Although a low-growing herbaceous perennial flower, the primrose is mainly planted as an annual ornamental and gives us its wonderful flowers from early January to late spring. The primula has characteristic lanceolate foliage that grows in the form of a rosette and is an ideal plant to plant in a pot on the balcony, as well as in the garden to create impressive color compositions. The name primrose comes from Latin and means first, confirming its early flowering in the heart of winter. There are, of course, some varieties of primrose that bloom in the autumn months. The leaves of the primrose resemble lettuce leaves, which is why many call it “lettuce”. There are many types of primroses with a wide variety of colors to choose from, from white, red, purple, yellow, pink, orange, blue, as well as striking bi-color varieties that have been created in recent years.

The sunflower, the well-known sunflowers, is a favorite summer plant to decorate our garden or balcony to give us its impressive flowering. The name of the sunflower comes from the fact that its head constantly turns towards the sun’s rays during the day and turns again, in the morning hours, towards the east. The dwarf varieties of sunflower, which reach up to 40-50 cm in height, are suitable for pots, while for the garden we prefer the taller varieties that exceed one meter and are also edible. The characteristic color of sunflower flowers is yellow but now new sunflower varieties have been created in shades from pale yellow to red and brown.