Which flowers are suitable for growing on a balcony? These few are cold-tolerant and easy to care for

Hoya carnosa 'Compacta' (Hindu rope plant). A robust hoya plant that will survive once tossed into soil, very easy to grow. Its most distinctive feature is its leaves, which curve inward. Grown both for flowers and foliage, it suits balconies and courtyards. The flowers are extremely fragrant; a single plant can scent an entire room.

Hoya carnosa 'Tricolor'. An outstanding plant among the hoyas, with large, crystal-clear, spherical flowers so beautiful they do not look real. The flowering period is April to October, cultivation is simple, and it is relatively cold-tolerant, enduring 1°C in winter. It can be grown in both the south and the north.

Mandevilla (also known as Dipladenia). It can bear pink and red flowers at the same time, blooming almost all year round, with peak bloom in summer and autumn. It produces more flowers than leaves and has a natural fragrance of its own. A single potted plant at home can bring you a sea of flowers, filling the house with fragrance.

Rosa banksiae (Lady Banks' rose). A climbing small shrub, double-flowered, in white and yellow. The flowering period is relatively short, April to June, but it is extremely beautiful, with vivid flowers and a rich fragrance. It is a famous ornamental plant, often grown to climb over trellises. Cold-tolerant, it can overwinter outdoors in the north.