Hey Nova! I couldn't believe my eyes, as I've been searching for the exact same type of apartment -in northern VA, but not in Alexandria! I have to move from a house to an apartment, and want to become a Balcony Gardener. As you well know, exactly how much sun you will be getting is all important, so I'm wondering exactly how much sun you will be able to offer your plantings? Will you do veggies and flowers? If only flowers, you know also that there are many that don't require full sun. Please let us know as we are interested.

My guess is, that what goes around the southern France, Italy or Greece, will also go in that space. Hot summers and cold, but still rather mild winters. Stuff like Bourgonvilla might die down in the winter, but would perk right back up, in the spring! Stuff that goes outside, but has a short blooming period out there, might get a longer period inside (how does the smell of moonflowers from early July to mid November sound to you?). Eucalyptus might die down the first couple of winters, but will in time get very strong and tall. I think a bay-leaf would do well year round. Peaches and grapevines would do great as well, no doubt about that. Figs too. Passiflora actinia and caerulea plus some of the hybrids can withstand down to -8c/ 18f. I÷m envious!

In a very sunny climate like San Diego, you can probably get away with southern, eastern or western. Northern is never ideal, especially apartment balconies that are often surrounded on 3 sides. Southern is ideal anywhere in the northern hemisphere, especially during winter when the angle of the sun is lower. How close to the coast are you? If you are right on the coast and are influenced by the cooler temps, I would suggest western exposure second, then eastern. If you are inland and will experience much higher temperatures, I would suggest eastern exposure second, then western. The idea would be to take advantage of the warmer afternoon sun if you're close to the coast and cooler afternoon shade if you're away from the coast. In my area, summer thunderstorms coming from the west are very common (almost daily), so the general rule among gardeners I've spoken with is that if one doesn't have a good southern exposure, eastern is second best to take advantage of the bright morning sun before clouds build up in the afternoon. Western exposure is third, generally.

Attached are some pics I took of shady window boxes.Coleus. impatience and Ivy