Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus, Fabaceae) is a genus of perennial and annual climbing plants native to the south-eastern Mediterranean, Italy, southern France and Greece. The musk pea Lathyrus odoratus is a genus of over thirty perennial and annual aromatic climbing plants, and belongs to the Fabaceae family. It is an annual climbing or erect plant with a height of 60-180 cm and a width of 40-80 cm. The leaves are grey-green, oval 5-7cm long, some have been formed into tendrils for climbing the plant. The flowers of the plant are large, fragrant, butterfly-shaped and grow many together in groups. Creates a rich and deep root system.

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.

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.

Petunias have compact, lush vegetation and fast growth, ideal for planting in flower beds and pots without needing too much care. They are particularly popular for their abundant flowering which, with proper care, lasts from early spring to late autumn. Petunia flowers, depending on the variety, can reach a size of 10-15 centimeters and we can choose between dozens of color combinations. There are many different species and varieties of petunias to plant in the garden and in pots. Petunias are divided into three main categories: a) large-flowered varieties of petunias (grandiflora type) with larger flowers, b) multi-flowered varieties (mutliflora type) with more medium-sized flowers and c) thousand-flowered varieties (milleflora type) with numerous small flowers

Peppers, the vegetable with the unique taste and the most colors than any other vegetable! Peppers are a key ingredient of Mediterranean cuisine, combining a unique taste, crunchy texture and characteristic aroma. The pepper crop reaches a height of about 1 meter and, depending on the variety, forms fruits in various shapes, from oblong to rounder with bright colors such as green, yellow, orange and red. The fruit of the pepper has a very important nutritional value as it contains many vitamins and antioxidants, very beneficial for our health. At the same time, it has a low fat content and is therefore suitable for weight loss diets. The pepper plant belongs to the same family as the tomato and eggplant, the Solanaceae family, and they are native to Central and South America. Pepper cultivation usually begins in the spring. It is a relatively easy crop that with proper care gives us many fruits to enjoy in the summer. And if we don’t have space available in the garden, we can grow peppers in pots on the balcony or in our yard.

Zinnia is an annual ornamental plant that impresses with the variety of colors and shapes of its flowers. The zinnia has upright strong shoots with a length of half to one meter and large flowers that remain in bloom throughout the summer.