Choices for the urban environment need not be restrictive. With a little bit of care, many plants flourish in challenging urban microclimates. Sometimes, it's simply a matter of choosing the right plant or the right cultivar (variety). Hybrid rugosa roses (Rosa rugosa) are tough enough for the urban thoroughfare and tolerate partial shade. New floribunda roses, such as the Knock Out® series, thrive in urban conditions. Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) and blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) will need attention to watering, yet make wonderful additions to city gardens.
Evergreens add structure to the garden and plants with good fall color and ornamental berries extend the season. Bulbs and flowering shrubs play an important role in early-season displays. Small trees such as birches (Betula), weeping cherries (Prunus pendula) and purple-leaved plums (Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud') do well because of their small foliage and open structure. Wind easily blows through them rather than catching them like a sail.
The following plants are suitable for many city situations.
Perennials
BOTANICAL NAME
COMMON NAME
LIGHT NEEDS
Anemone*
anemone
PS
Astilbe*
astilbe
PS
Acanthus
bear's breeches
PS
Adenphora
ladybells
PS
Ajuga
bugleweed
PS
Alchemilla*
Lady's mantle
PS/S
Athyrium
Japanese painted fern
PS
Begonia
hardy begonia
PS
Bergenia*
elephant's ears
PS/S
Dianthus*
pinks
S
Geranium*
geraniums
S
Hosta*
hosta
PS
Iris*
Siberian iris
PS/S
Lamium
Deadnettle
PS
Liriope*
lily turf
PS
Nepeta*
catmint
S
Perovskia*
Russian sage
S
Polygonatum
Solomon's seal
PS
Salvia*
salvia
S
Sedum*
sedums
S
Uvularia
bellwort
PS
Yucca*
yucca
S
n/a
ferns
PS
n/a
herbs*
S
(* = particularly suited for rooftops)
(S= shade; PS = partial shade)
Tough Plants
BOTANICAL NAME
COMMON NAME
LIGHT NEEDS
Berberis*
barberry
PS/S
Cotoneaster*
cotoneaster
PS/S
Euonymus fortunei*
wintercreeper
PS/S
Ilex glabra*
inkberry
PS/S
Ilex x meserve*
Meserve holly
PS/S
Ilex opaca*
American holly
PS/S
Juniperus*
junipers
S
Pinus mugo*
Mugo pine
S
Pinus thunbergii*
black pine
S
Prunus*
flowering almond
S
Prunus x cistena*
sand cherry
S
Syringa*
lilacs
S
(* = particularly suited for rooftops)
(S= shade; PS = partial shade)
Climbers
BOTANICAL NAME
COMMON NAME
LIGHT NEEDS
Humulus*
hops
S
Hydrangea petiolaris*
climbing hydrangea
PS/S
Ipomoea
moonflower and morning glory
S
Lablab
hyacinth bean
S
Thunbergia
black-eyed Susan vine
PS/S
Vitis*
grapes
S
(* = particularly suited for rooftops)
(S= shade; PS = partial shade)
Shrubs
BOTANICAL NAME
COMMON NAME
LIGHT NEEDS
n/a
bamboos*
S
Aucuba*
aucuba
PS
Buddleja*
butterfly bush
S
Buxus*
boxwood
S
Calycanthus
sweetshrub
PS
Cornus alba*
redtwig dogwood
PS/S
Cytisus*
broom
S
Daphne
daphne
PS/S
Fothergilla
fothergilla
PS
Hydrangea arborescens
smooth hydrangea
PS/S
Hydrangea quercifolia*
oakleaf hydrangea
PS/S
Kerria
kerria
PS
Pieris*
andromeda
PS
Rhododendron -'Northern Lights' series*
azaleas
PS
Rhododendron - PJM hybrids*
rhododendron
PS
Spirea japonica*
summer blooming spireas
S
Spirea prunifolia, x vanhouttei, thunbergii*
spring blooming hydrangea
S
Taxus
yew
PS
Vaccinium corymbosum*
blueberries
PS
Viburnum*
viburnum
PS/S
(* = particularly suited for rooftops)
(S= shade; PS = partial shade)
Trees
BOTANICAL NAME
COMMON NAME
LIGHT NEEDS
Acer palmatum var. dissectum*
cut-leaf maple
PS
Amelanchier*
serviceberry
PS/S
Carpinus*
hornbeam
S
Chamaecyparis obtusa*
Hinoki cypress
S
Cornus kousa
kousa dogwood
PS
Juniperus*
junipers
S
Magnolia
magnolia
S
Malus such as 'Donald Wyman', 'Harvest Gold', 'Tina'*
Trees for the Small Garden by 
