Transforming your urban balcony or patio into a haven for local wildlife is both rewarding and crucial for city ecosystems. By choosing native plants for your planter boxes, you provide essential food and shelter for birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects. Here are some of the best native plants to grow in containers to support your local wildlife community.
For pollinators like bees and butterflies, focus on nectar-rich flowering plants. Consider Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), which offers sturdy stems and large, daisy-like flowers that attract butterflies and goldfinches love the seeds. Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa) is a magnet for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies with its unique, spiky flowers. For smaller boxes, Native Sedges (Carex species) provide crucial caterpillar host plant structure, while Goldenrod (Solidago species) offers a late-season nectar boost.
Don't forget foliage! Milkweed (Asclepias species) is the exclusive host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars. Even one plant in a deep planter can make a difference. Native Ferns, such as Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina), add texture and provide cover for small creatures.
To ensure success, use deep, wide containers with excellent drainage and a high-quality potting mix. Group several containers together to create a more substantial visual impact and a more valuable habitat patch. Water regularly, as containers dry out faster than ground soil. By selecting these native plants, your urban planter boxes will become a vibrant, life-supporting oasis, contributing directly to the health and beauty of your local environment.