I don`t know how big your balcony is but I`m thinking going vertical would give you flowers as well as maximize the space you do have. You could us rectangular planters with tall bamboo sticks or ready made trellis(go at least 5 feet). Shop around for a good deal, they can be expensive. Some easy vines from seed would be scarlet runner bean, black eyed susan, sweet pea, climbing nasturtium. Around the base you could plant lobelia, bidens or bacopa. I don`t know if you would get hummingbirds in your location but you could try a planter of fuchsia gartenmeister. These are all easy, no fuss plants. Beginners usually OVERWATER so just remember to touch the soil first before you douse them! Happy gardening!

Sounds like a good place to start, thank you!

South balconies in Edmonton can get very hot in the summer so you may want to look at some more drought resistant varieties for pots that can take a lot of sun. Pots dry out very fast on a hot day here, especially higher up. Some of the plants with tuber type roots such as daylilies, and dahlias do well in pots and they are perennials if you bring them in for the winter. :) . They are not climbers but can tolerate heat. Geraniums don't mind drying out either. They look nice in pots with mint and dracaena plants and will also live over the winter nicely inside. I have a very hot front porch and they do well out there in pots. :) Morning glories are another climber that can handle heat better than some.
Hope this helps. :)

Ginny (Edmonton) .