Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_43.gif)
Saturday - April 25, 2009
From: NYC, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Container Gardens
Title: Container plants for terrace in New York City
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
What flowering plants would you recommend that will grow well on a 16th floor terrace ,with all day sun in NYC?ANSWER:
As we hope you already know, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to the use and propagation of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which they are being grown. We will select from our Native Plant Database herbaceous blooming plants that do well in full sun and are native to New York. First, we suggest you read our How-To Article, Container Gardens with Native Plants. Next, we will go to our Recommended Species, click on New York on the map, NARROW YOUR SEARCH and select on "herbs" (herbaceous flowering plants) for habit and "sun" for Light Requirements. We consider "sun" to be 6 hours or more of sun a day, "part shade" 2 to 6 hours of sun, and "shade" Less than 2 hours of sun. We will only be choosing a few examples, and you can go back, using the same method and select others that better suit your purposes. You can use the Narrow Your Search option to select for bloom times, colors, duration (perennial or annual) and even choose different habits, like "shrub" or "vine." Follow the plant links to the webpage on the individual plant and find out the expected size, water requirements, etc.
Achillea millefolium (common yarrow) - perennial, 1 to 3 ft. tall, blooms white, pink April to September
Campanula rotundifolia (bluebell bellflower) - perennial, 4 to 15 inches tall, blooms blue, purple June to September, sun to shade
Conoclinium coelestinum (blue mistflower) - perennial, 1 to 3 ft. tall, blooms blue, purple July through November, sun, part shade
Coreopsis lanceolata (lanceleaf tickseed) - perennial, 1 to 3 ft. tall, blooms blue, purple July through November, sun, part shade
Lobelia siphilitica (great blue lobelia) - perennial, 2 to 3 ft. tall, blooms blue July to October, sun to shade
Penstemon hirsutus (hairy beardtongue) - perennial, 1 to 3 ft. tall, blooms pink, purple June and July
Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan) - annual, 1 to 3 ft. tall, blooms yellow June to October, sun to shade
Rudbeckia laciniata (cutleaf coneflower) - perennial, 3 to 6 ft. talll, blooms yellow July to October, sun to shade
More Container Gardens Questions
Planting Texas Mountain Laurel to transplant to Dallas
August 29, 2012 - My daughter would like to incorporate a tree planting ceremony in her wedding in Texas. The seedling would be planted in a pot for a few years and later transplanted in a yard when they buy a home. Wo...
view the full question and answer
Growing bluebonnets in pot in Flower Mound TX
November 01, 2011 - We received a package of bluebonnet seeds along with the DVD Wildflowers: Seeds of History as a gift. In the film, Andrea DeLong mentions that bluebonnets did not grow well in a rich organic soil. W...
view the full question and answer
Indoor plants for El Paso TX
January 05, 2013 - I want to know what kind of plants will survive indoors in El Paso. It is so dry here, is there anything leafy or flowery that will thrive indoors in this climate?
view the full question and answer
Planting a container of wildflower seeds in Dallas
September 20, 2004 - I have purchased a 1 # container of wild flower seeds in North Dallas. When can I throw these seeds in a nearby field, & is it advantageous to do it during a rain?
view the full question and answer
Container plants for deck in Maine
May 18, 2009 - I live on the ocean in Maine. Fourth floor deck. I want to plant containers and boxes with annuals that can withstand a lot of wind. We get mostly sun but some shade as well. Of course, there is the s...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |