Seasonal Change & Return

Several people had interesting guesses and got the third one correct for the previous post. The Plant ID, from top to bottom was 1.) Amelanchier canadensis (Shadblow Serviceberry) 2.) Paeonia suffruiticosa (Tree Peony) and 3.) Rhus typhina 'Bailtiger' (Tiger Eyes Sumac). Since the sumac is pinky-orange when the leaves emerge, we designed its color echo through Heuchera villosa 'Caramel.'

Last year we were, hopefully, the third time's a charm on a client's rooftop garden after two previous landscapers hadn't fared well. We couldn't change the existing structure, but the few inches of soil medium and plants were completely redesigned. One of the big challenges was starting while taking into account the goose that had nested six stories up. She was federally protected while on the nest. When the goslings hatched, mom and the brood somehow made it down to the ground...all except one who landed on the fifth floor and had to be transported by elevator. Then we removed all the previous soil and weeds and planted.

So last week I visited for the first time since October and, no surprise, the goose is back. I happen to live two doors away from this site and from my dining room, can see another goose on the roof of an adjacent ten-story building at the corner.

The plants were installed in a special soil mix set in trays made of coconut husk that eventually biodegrade, a first for us, but not for the wonderful nursery: Intrinsic Perennial Gardens. We have learned so much from them over the years, especially from Brent Horvath. You can see how well the plants were doing last week. Let's hope they survive the goose gestation.