What you will be able to grow will be determined by how much light the area actually receives. With a covered balcony - even south facing - I would assume much more shade than sun, so look for more shade tolerant plants.

The other primary consideration will be the climate. For permanent balcony plantings - things that can remain in place all year - you will need to be in a pretty mild winter climate. So something like a USDA zone 7 or above. Otherwise, you will need to focus on annuals or more seasonal plantings unless you have room indoors to store them over winter.

I have a covered (not enclosed) south-facing balcony. I have a little over 6 hours of full sun for about 16" from the railing inwards. Everything else is effectively full shade.

If you want 'permanent' type plants -- things that will endure over the long haul -- it will make a difference if your apartment is in Anchorage or Miami. There are many annuals that are fun to grow for seasonal color or interest. It will also depend on if your goal is just enhancing the scenery, creating privacy, or if you are want culinary plants like basil, mint, tomatoes, etc. More info needed. (FYI, I'm growing sweet corn on a balcony as I wanted some quick privacy. Neighbors have spotted it and are starting to put dibs on the fruit of my labors! I have no idea if corn grown in pots will produce edible ears but I'll find out soon.) I like Caladiums for color as they are easy dependable grown from tubers.

Thank you guys for the comments.

I actually live in the northern parts of the Netherlands. Which falls into USDA zone 7. The balcony is covered but it is covered with glass. So it creates more of a greenhouse like environment. I don't have a full picture of the serre/balcony right now since I am currently on vacation. But I have included a picture of a part of the balcony which currently houses an Acer Palmatum. It turns out that during the warmest part of summer(it currently is 37 degrees celsius in the Netherlands) it is too hot for the Acer and all the leaves started shriveling.

I was actually also wondering whether you guys think this Acer could survive and also flourish again next summer if I hung some tapestry in front of the window next to him, to block some of the uv rays. I would like to hear your opinions on this matter.

Most anything that sounds reasonable is worth trying. In the world of gardening, there are many questions for which no easy answers can be looked up. One must pay their money and take their chances. I'd certainly give providing shade to the maple a try and see how it goes.

Not for cold, but during the warm season, one plant that might work well for you and give great bloom rewards is the large flowered Thai crown of thorns.

Solar screens are a thing. Amazon.com sells them.

Might also want to try a fan to keep the air moving around. Might help keep things cool, might make the leaves evaporate even more water.

Is your balcony entirely enclosed? If not, put the tree out in the fresh air instead of indoors. If the balcony is entirely enclosed, can windows be opened wide to allow for good air movement? The Acer should be able to handle 37C provided it is given sufficient water and has good air movement.

Hello,

The balcony is entirely enclosed, but windows can be opened wide. I am pretty sure I had given it plenty of water when the leaves withered. I only have two windows, so maybe it is simply not possible to reach enough air flow with those windows

If entirely enclosed, even with the windows wide open, it still technically "indoors" and that will limit what sort of plants will thrive. Rather than a balcony, which is typically open on at least two sides, what you have is a sunroom or conservatory. Tropical or high heat/high humidity plants will be happiest there, although you may need to provide some sort of filtered shade for some. Many houseplants will work under these conditions. Japanese maples......sorry but no :-(

Thank you all for the comments. I have waited for 2 weeks to see how the tree would develop. Almost all of the leaves have now completely shriveled up.

I am a bit concerned about the color of some of the branches of the tree and some of the tree buds down the stem of the tree. I have added two pictures of them. They are turning quite gray. Is this problematic and if so, what should I do about it?

Kind regards,

Hidde Strikwerda

Yes, it is problematic. The tree is dieing.

Did you hang any drapes, use a fan, or otherwise try to keep the temperature down in the room? If so what? When you watered it what you believed was enough, how did you know it was enough?

A Japanese maple tree will just not grow successfully in the conditions you describe. And there is really nothing you can do about that unless you have the ability to fully open that room to the elements - sun, wind, outside temperatures and humidity. Even rainfall and snow. What the plant would receive if growing in its natural environment. Without that ability, you will need to focus on houseplants and tropicals. And very sun loving ones at that.

Thank you all for the comments,

I hung some drapes in front of the window to provide more shade and a lower temperature for the tree. I always give the Acer the same amount of water every week. I gave him extra water in the middle of the week during the time of the drought.

Since I already have the Acer Palmatum, and i don't have a better spot to place it in my home. I will just see what will happen to it in the coming weeks, and see whether it will stay alive. I noticed this morning that 3 new shoots were appearing in the pot above the ground. I assume that this is at least a sign that something is still alive. I was now wondering whether it would be better to let these shoots be and see how they progress, or to cut them down so the maple can focus its energy on the main tree?

Thank you in advance for your comments and help,

Hidde Strikwerda