Growing a Green City

Who says gardens can’t grow in cities? Imagine relaxing on a roof-top deck and inhaling the fragrance of flowering vines rather than the fumes of city smog. Think about sitting in a backyard and being surrounded by colorful shrubs and undulating ornamental grasses that muffle traffic noise. Picture strolling past front yards where pots of red geraniums and white petunias enliven the sight of drab row-houses. Try stepping into an atrium filled with tropical plants. A city is is a perfect garden spot, and that’s a concrete fact.

Types of City Gardens

Many popular garden spots are roof-top decks. “They’re basically another room of the house, and when they’re finished, they’re an oasis of solitude,” says landscape designer, Robert Bell, whose business is based in Washington, D.C. Small trees, shrubs, scented perennials and vines soften the lines of the deck and create a comfortable space. They also help cool the house during summer.

Roof-top Decks

More elaborate decks might have lighting, fans, wet bars and outdoor showers.”It’s a lot to coordinate, says Bell. “We have to make sure that the house can support the weight—plus we need to carry all the materials up to the roof.” The cost can total thousands of dollars especially if the price includes an outdoor kitchen.

Front Yard Gardens

With the advent of spring, a row-house’s front yard can spring to the occasion. A mass of yellow daffodils interspersed by mahonia aquifolia shrubs bid a warm welcome to visitors. Passers-by will stop and admire the the containers of ornamental cabbage ‘Redbor’ and pansy ‘Imperial Antique Shades.’ This small space can easily become a centerpiece of beauty in the middle of a busy street.

Atriums

Atriums are popular spots for indoor gardens. Bell is currently working on a living wall for a client who saw one in Paris. “We’re attaching a welded steel structure to a 20 foot high interior wall and placing cup-like containers on the structure. These will be planted with weeping ferns and orchids and we anticipate it will be a spectacular display,” says Bell.

Backyard Gardens

A shady back yard deck or garden is a perfect place to entertain guests. Barbecues and parties are more pleasant in a spot surrounded by blue hydrangeas, lush evergreens and graceful shade–tolerant grasses.

A dry, sunny space is a perfect area for a French Provincial garden where pastel flowers such as day-lilies, Lavender ‘Provence’ and Yarrow ‘Pink Grapefruit’ attract bees and butterflies. Birds flock to the garden’s Amethyst Coral Berry ‘Kordes’ shrubs that provide fruit for them to eat. This garden is a wildlife habitat in a bustling city.

Children enjoy gardens containing textured plants such as lamb’s ear. Larger flowers such as Cone Flower ‘Coconut Lime’ and Catnip ‘Walker’s Low,’ which smell like mint, also delight them.

For a cozy, backyard spot designed for privacy, a terrace garden is just the thing. It’s a good place to relax in a comfortable chair and admire the impatiens, lariope and purple smoke-bush shrubs that fill this space. Add a border of bluestone slate and some rocks to give the garden texture and interest.

Herb Gardens

Herb gardens can also thrive in small, sunny plots. For example, rosemary, thyme and sage can all be easily grown without much extra watering. Basil and mint are also simple to grow and are a wonderful addition to food or cocktails. Chives and dill both have interesting flowers and can be incorporated into a bed full of perennials.

Basic Gardening Tips

• Simplify. Be realistic about how much time a garden will take to maintain.
• Use low maintenance plants that don’t require a lot of trimming, spraying or pruning. Use ornamental grasses and perennials that don’t need to be deadheaded, sprayed or pruned.
• Stay away from labor intensive hedges and lawns. Many roses require a lot of care, but the new “Knockout” varieties require little maintenance.
• Create groups of similar plants. This makes it more efficient to maintain them.
• Use fertilizer, even organic fertilizer, sparingly. Everything can eventually run into the waterways.
• Use compost to enrich the soil. Homeowners can create their own materials such as dead leaves, twigs, grass clippings and vegetable scraps. Bagged compost is widely available at garden centers.
• Choose robust plants that have multiple seasons of interest, and get the best quality hardscape materials you can afford. Natural bluestone, granite or kiln-fired brick make excellent paved surfaces.
• If watering is an issue, use drought tolerant plants such as Black-eyed Susan, fountain grass and viburnum. Drip irrigation systems work well for targeting the occasional special ornamental plant.
• Be practical up-front. Research plants and their growing requirements before buying.