Bursting Biophilia Mixed Perennial Border

My garden, "Bursting Biophilia: Mixed Perennial Border," is rooted in a desire to restore as much organic life as possible to the sterile urban landscape. My neighbourhood of Hochelaga is dominated by hard, unforgiving surfaces: asphalt, brick, iron, steel, and a sidewalk so hot it burns.

To make this zone more welcoming, I have therefore established in the tiny space in front of my triplex a densely-planted perennial border garden. Inspired by the cottage-gardening principle that living plants make the best mulch, I have put in a mix of ornamental and droight-resistant native perennials: echinacea, rudbeckia, amsonia, sages, anemone canadensis, dicentra, agastache and grasses intermingle with snapdragons, lavender, cranesbill, globe thistle, dill, parsley and crocosmia, all alongside old garden favourites such as peonies, lilacs, roses, irises and hydrangea. Elderberry and black currant bushes provide fruit for wildlife, along with tomatoes which have self-seeded and naturalized into a sidewalk hedge (thriving even in cracks in the sidewalk!). Butterflies love it, as do the bees. A bowl of water has become a magnet for birds, cat, and squrriels. A skunk visits occasionally. We are growing squash vines and runner beans to disguise the old wrought iron fence and balcony, and have introduced hydrangea vines to (eventually) cover the brick building. Two shade trees have been added: a Chicot du Canada, and a Japanese maple. Boxwood shrubs provide evergreen interest.

In addition, the garden has become a rich source of social interaction, as neighbours and passers-by stop to chat, discuss flowers, and trade seedlings. What was once a garbage-strewn plot of urban neglect has blossomed in site of richness and pleasure.