One critical thing to know about planting on terraces is the impact the wind and exposure will have on your plants. To protect your investment, select plants that are hardy to 2 USDA growing zones lower than your location. (That means USDA zone 5 in NYC.)  If you choose something that your really want for your terrace but its just on the margin of hardiness, keep it in a planter that can be moved closer to the wall of your home for added shelter and warmth when it gets really cold.

For information on natives, we have a guide that can get you started on the subject with a list of suggested plants to try. Another excellent resource is the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Their website has an excellent search tool to find plants of all descriptions native to any state you select. Other sources of high quality information regarding native plants in our area include:

• New York City Parks Department Native Plants Guide (pdf)
• Audubon Society Best Native Plants for the New York Area
• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation's guide to supporting pollinators in the Northeast Region
• New York State Flora Association offers workshops and field trips
• Consider taking a class to learn more about gardening at our Adult Education School. They range from one day lectures and workshops to full semester courses and many are offered online.

Happy gardening!

Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service

Learn more about plants and planting from our Gardening Guides