A GARDENING GUIDE FOR HOME AND TERRACE

Plant Selection - Criteria

Exposures • Sun and Shade • Height • Plant Families • Annuals • Perennials • Flowers • Vines • Shrubs • Trees • Herbs • Vegetables

The right plant in the right place: sunlight is biggest factor; get plants that work with the direction your apartment faces; read the label when you buy a plant. Selection criteria include:

• Plant Families
• Annuals vs Perennials
• Your exposure - how much sun / shade do you get; is it direct or indirect light; indoors there is the possibility of adding artificial light
• For terraces - our climate zone
• For terraces - how much wind do you get? how protected is your space?
• Some people will prefer a mix of plants - varying heights and colors
• Size - height (tall vs short) and volume. How limited is your space. You can grow large plants / trees even indoors, but these may require special care
• Foliage vs flowering plants, climbers vs trailers, vines, shrubs, and trees
• For flowering plants - consider the length and timing of the flowering season
• Hardy / delicate - does a particular plant need more care than you will be able to give it
• useful plants - herbs, vegetables, aloe, etc
• Poisonous plants - be careful with toddlers and pets

For Starter Lists of plants that have proved successful in our circumstances, see:

• Starter list of indoor plants
• Starter list of terrace plantings

We will update this section as information is developed. If you would like to participate in a Gardening committee, or if you would like to pass along information, please contact us.