Native Plants for Urban Balconies

As an Urban botanist and plant lover, most of my wild plant sightings are of the same aggressive introductions, hanging on in the cracks of the sidewalks. The alternatives are urban gardens, yet most are filled with the same gaudy box-store plants. Don’t get me wrong, I do admire the steadfast dandelion, for its tenacity and beautiful spring colour, and am a huge fan of the wonderful displays of colourful impatiens and petunias that sprinkle our city in summer, and dare I say it, I love the gorgeous red of the aggressive burning bushes each fall. But as a horticulturally trained scientist who spends most of his time studying native species, I know we could do better.

As all passionate about any topic have experienced, knowledge can be a curse. The more you know, the harder it can be to get excited by the everyday. Be it food, cars, architecture, or even plants, whatever you love, we are always aware that things are not always as good as they can be. With over 400,000 plant species in the world, the number I see on my daily walk seems frustratingly low. What is more, I also know that there are always better choices.

Although ginkgo is one of the most beautiful trees to grace my street, with fun fan-shaped leaves, amazing fall colour and the shade it provides, it does not do much for our other city residents. Especially when compared to the native serviceberry I have on my balcony, whose spring flowers are enjoyed by bumblebees, and whose tasty summer berries I share with American robins. Even the pests and diseases occasionally attract predatory insects, which keep them in check. It is interactions like these that remind me why plants can do so much more than just be a pretty and soothing addition to our landscape.