A GARDENING GUIDE FOR HOME AND TERRACE

<==                                      PLANT SELECTION - CRITERIA                                   ==>

Exposures • Sun and Shade • Height • Plant Families • Annuals • Perennials • Flowers • Vines • Shrubs • Trees • Herbs • Vegetables

Your plant collections can run the gamut from desert-bred cacti and succulents to the ferns and other tropical favorites hybridized by man and nature, annuals to flower flamboyantly for one summer and favorite perennials that return every year. Origin is a guide to the care that is needed. The right plant in the right place: sunlight is biggest factor; get plants that work with the direction your apartment faces; read the label when you buy a plant. Selection criteria include:

SELECTING PLANTS FOR SUN AND SHADE

Location - Are you on the North or South Side of the Building or in a corner apartment facing West.

Too many plant lovers believe that container plants don’t do well on north facing terraces. That is a fallacy. Begonias, Petunias, Impatiens, Coleus, Geraniums, Succulents, Cacti, Oleander, Roses and many more thrive in partial shade and filtered light. Most plants thrive in all day sun with few exceptions.

Guide * All Day Sun 6 or more hours of direct sun * All Day Shade Less than 4 hours of direct sun * Partial Sun 4 to 6 hours of direct sun a day

PICKING THE PLANTS

Diverse varieties from azaleas to zinnias are available to suit every place and taste. Considerations: Annuals vs Perennials; Some people will prefer a mix of plants - varying heights and colors; Size - height (tall vs short) and volume. How limited is your space. You can grow large plants / trees even indoors, but these may require special care; Foliage vs flowering plants, climbers vs trailers, vines, shrubs, and trees; for flowering plants - consider the length and timing of the flowering season; Hardy / delicate - does a particular plant need more care than you will be able to give it; useful plants - herbs, vegetables, aloe, etc; Poisonous plants - be careful with toddlers and pets.

Early Bloomers - Pansies, Azalea, Daffodils, Crocus, Vinca, Primrose, Violets

Streets-Eye View - Green and Flowering Vines Trail over Terrace Railings. Ivies, Morning Glory, Honeysuckle, Sweet Potato Vines, Clematis, Moon Flower, Virginia Creeper, Trumpet Vine and Hops (brew your own). Start them off in pots roomy enough for rapid growth and water generously. Morning glory needs unbraiding when it twines over adjacent plants.

Start a Family Tree - Dwarf Evergreens. Ming Aralia, Hibiscus, Japanese Maple, Juniper

Edibles - Tomatoes, Eggplant, Green Pepper, Blueberry Bush

We will update this section as information is developed. If you would like to participate in a Gardening committee, or if you would like to pass along information, please contact us.