|
 After a chilly start, the annual rites of spring have finally arrived. Perennials are in full bloom, and the sweet smell of freshly mowed grass breezily wafts through open windows.
For Philadelphia's lawn-less homeowners, however, spring is a stark reminder of the garden they wish they could plant. But what they might not know is you don't need a yard to create a lovely year-round garden. With a little homework and elbow grease, any homeowner can have the garden of their dreams - even from 10 stories up. Terrace gardens are a viable alternative to the real thing, and the perfect place to raise native plants, grasses and flowers.
To get your new garden off the ground, the first step is to analyze your terrace. Exposure - direct sunlight, shade, and wind - is the No. 1 factor in determining which plants will fare best. Winterberry and ferns work well in the shade, and for windy spaces, consider putting up trellises or protective screening to minimize the impact.
Next, measure the space. This will help you calculate the size and number of planters or planting beds the area can support. On small terraces, for instance, groupings of small planters tend to work better than several large pots. At The Residences at Dockside, I had enough space to incorporate one extra large planter, along with several surrounding larger pots.
Picking the right plants can be overwhelming, and native plants are the best place to start because they're grown in the local climate. Native plants provide a hardy, drought resistant, low maintenance landscape. Once established, native plants save time and cut costs by significantly reducing or eliminating the need for fertilizers, pesticides, water, and maintenance equipment.
To explore all your options, go online to the Native Plant Conservation Alliance at www.nps.gov/plants/ and the Delaware Native
Plant Society at www.delawarenativeplants.org, or visit a local native plant nursery, such as Pinelands Nursery, Inc. in Columbus, N.J. or the Red Bud Nursery in Wayne, Pa. Many nursery employees are horticulturalists, and are highly knowledgeable about native plants.
Once you've selected plants for your terrace, it's important to properly maintain them. Watering is the easiest-and most commonly overlooked-way to ensure a long plant life. A good soak once a week is probably sufficient for most native plants. But if the top two or three inches of soil are dry, go ahead and water.
Armed with these helpful tips and a little creativity, Greater Philadelphia homeowners can create beautiful terrace gardens that will last season after season. Happy planting!
Frank Milloni is a landscape architecture student at Delaware Valley College. He recently created a terrace garden using native plants from the Delaware River Watershed for a homeowner at The Residences at Dockside, the new luxury waterfront condominiums at Penn's Landing. |
