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What can I Plant now??
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Posted by botanista (My Page) on Thu, Sep 25, 08 at 17:12
| I have just inherited a rare and coveted thing in NYC- a backyard! As the season starts to turn, I'm faced with the challenge of planting something to make it look nice, and still survive the winter. Any suggestions?? I have a space that is ~10x15ft, shaded by a large tree and some buildings. I am interested in plants that provide ecosystem services like bird/butterfly habitat, water savings, bioremediation, etc. but mostly something that I can plant in the next few weeks and enjoy for a little while. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: What can I Plant now??
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| If your backyard is mostly shaded and you would like to grow up something for bird/butterly habitat( probably for the next year, because season is over) and don't want to invest much time to taking care of, my suggestion is to plant blackberry thorned or thornless( depends on how much you like your neigbors :) ) Such plants provide a combination of perpetual flowering May-August( attracting butterflies, bees, etc) and birds coming for berries. Berries are edible and testy so I suspect after you try them all birds will remain hungry. |
RE: What can I Plant now??
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About the only think I can think of that fits the bill is "icicle pansies." If there is a spot that gets a little sun you might try Montauk Daisies, or a hardy perennial mum (though they really prefer full sun).
Other than that, it sounds like your two desires are competing with each other... but if you can pick one of your two wants, you're in good shape.
Either you plan for next year and select perennials that will do just what you want in shade (blue lobelia, toad lily, goatsbeard, astilbe) or just get a few annuals that have nice color and perhaps can be taken indoors (coleus and impatiens for example)
Now is the perfect time to plant perennials for next year, but if you want to put in plants that you could enjoy immediately, would have very little time before it gets too cold and they would have to be taken in.
Just a few suggestions.
Welcome to the world of urban gardening
Peace
George |
RE: What can I Plant now??
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- Posted by chrisa Bklyn (z7) (My Page) on
Tue, Sep 30, 08 at 12:11
| where in the city are you located? |
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