New gardener - northwestern apartment balcony ideas?

[halfling]

I live in zone 7a, hot humid summers between 80-100. I just got myself a couple of "self-watering" balcony rail planters. I want to be able to eat some of what I grow but I'm super space-constrained here (window boxes) and I can't grow stuff that will drop onto my downstairs neighbors' heads lol.

My balcony is on a corner and has a ceiling overhead, so an unusual sun situation - it gets the setting sun, I'm guessing 3-6 hours depending on the time of year, on one railing. There's no direct sunlight on the other railing and most of the floor of the balcony is in full shade.

Any suggestions for partial sun edibles that will get along in a pot? Basil and thyme maybe? I'm also wondering if I can grow draping ornamentals in the same box as herbs, just for looks.

For the shady box, is there anything tasty that you like to grow in full shade? Or any ornamentals you'd recommend that thrive in southern summers? It looks like maybe lettuce would grow, but it's such a small box I'm not sure the yield would be a useful quantity.

[geekette]

Herbs are probably your best bet, and you'll just have to experiment.  Other than that, impatiens would be pretty.  Forget lobelia and fuchsia.  I see them for sale as shade loving hanging plants in my 7b area, but in my experience, they both hate hot, humid summers.  YMMV

[GuitarStv]

Basil and thyme like sun.

You can try out mint, parsley, and chives though - they'll do their thing with limited sun.  Green onions also like full sun but seem happy to grow pretty much anywhere for me.

[former player]

It's worth trying any herbs that you like to use or want to try (pointless trying ones you don't).

I would probably also try some green leaves, lettuce, rocket and the like - they grow quickly, you can pick off a few leaves at a time for a garnish and let the rest grow, and not having them in full sun can help them last longer before going to seed. 

If you have room then radish is a satisfyingly quick and easy grower- but again, only if you like radishes.

[halfling]

thanks folks! I think I will stick to my plan, herbs we like in the partial sun box, pretty flower starts in the shade box - a neighbor recommended impatiens and/or begonias. I'm going to try to start the herbs indoors this weekend.