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| 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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Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Sun, Jun 13, 10 at 20:46
| 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 |
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| 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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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Mon, Jun 14, 10 at 8:43
| 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???
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- Posted by dave_in_nova VA zone 7a (My Page) on Mon, Jun 14, 10 at 13:24
| 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. |
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- Posted by dave_in_nova VA zone 7a (My Page) on Mon, Jun 14, 10 at 13:25
| Also, you might find that robins and mockingbirds will eat the berries in the winter months. |
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