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I need a high-wind shrub that cardinals will like - for NYC!

13 years ago

Hi everyone,

What shrub(s) will tolerate the high-wind conditions of my balcony on the 8th floor of a 38th story building in Manhattan and be happy to live in a big pot? If there are particular shrubs that cardinals and other non-pigeons of NYC like, please let me know!

Out of my window I sometimes see a lovely red cardinal perched on, of all things, an antenna on the roof of the brownstone next door. My building isn't far from Central Park, so perhaps he takes little field trips out to see what's going on...

I would love to feed him better and know cardinals like shrubs, which also discourages pigeons (a major plus).

Thanks so much,

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Comments (5)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
its much simpler than this..

cardinals.. get ready for it.. are attracted to ... RED ...

i used to leave my red plastic wheelbarrow in the yard.. and had droves of cardinals hanging around.. making such a racket .. lol ...

boys are red.. girls are brown ..

i think the boys starting hanging around defending territory ... looking for the chix ...

seriously ... just try some red flags.. or whatever ...

ken
slide1475
Original Author
13 years ago
Hi Ken,

Thanks so much for the cardinals tips. I would really like to actually feed them, though, as well as add a touch of green to my balcony!

Ideas for high-wind-tolerant shrubs would be VERY appreciated!

Julie
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There is little need to worry too much about dropping zones for most things you may choose. That type of location tends to accumulate a lot of reflected heat, even in winter, and a similar situation (downtown Seattle, rooftop deck, southwestern exposure) sees even zonal geraniums and some annuals overwintering without protection. I'd hesitate to suggest many natives, specially higher elevation ones, as they will not be well suited to this severe, open exposure and intense, reflected summer heat. A good number of dwarf conifers will work very well, although perhaps not as ornamental as you might like. Also dwarf ceanothus ('Vandenberg'), abelia, nandina, ornamental grasses, New Zealand flax and hebes should be suitable. On that same Seattle rooftop are growing an assortment of small Japanese and several vine maples, a 'Spaan's Dwarf' shore pine, a "hedge" of arborvitaes, Nandina 'Gulf Stream', bamboo, Pittosporum tobira, euphorbias, lavender, rosemary, sedums, various phormiums and hebes and an assortment of seasonal annuals. Also a great location for various herbs and one of the best crops of tomatoes I've ever seen! I'd suggest you rig up a drip system on a timer for watering unless daily attention can be provided in the summer.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
but a green plant wont necessarily attract them ...

so last night.. i shut down the computer.. and head off for an adult libation ... and out of the kitchen window.. i see the poppies blooming wildly ... a gift from a friend last year ... the annual type.. 4 inch giant RED blooms.. hundreds of them ..

so i step on the back deck .... and i am contemplating my navel.. and the libation.. and the general happiness .. when i come to realize there is this insanely loud hell-a-ba-lou going on ... and its 3 cardinals arguing about who knows what.. in the trees in a 50 foot radius from the poppies ...

what i am trying to express to you.. is that attracting the birds is a different project from the greenery you want.. IMHO ... unless you can grow some dwarf wind proof sunflowers.. which will attract them, later in the season ...

i will leave you in peace now .. before i irritate you by answering your question, but not in shrub form ....

good luck

ken

ps: is there anything red on your roof top, that is already attracting them???
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
13 years ago
We had a cardinal 'family' nesting in a seven-foot holly ('Oakleaf') near our bay window. They must have felt the needled leaves offered some kind of protection from predators. Also, the red berries might provide food for them. I'd give a holly a try. Yours will need to be containerized, so look for a smaller, hardier variety with good berry production.
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
13 years ago
Also, you might find that robins and mockingbirds will eat the berries in the winter months.

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