Project of the Month and Award Winning Central Park in Glen Oaks

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  • A dynamic greenspace unites the campus and offers passive and active recreation. Photo Credit: Nick Onesto

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  • Dining terrace for employees and visitors under mature Sycamore trees. Photo Credit: Sue Sotera

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  • Plaza with raised planter and sculpture for events and casual seating. Photo Credit: Sue Sotera

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  • All season interest from plantings. Photo Credit: Nick Onesto

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  • Curly WIllows are practical and beautiful. Photo Credit: Sue Sotera

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Goldberg & Rodler has won a LINLA Gold Award and a NYSNLA Environmental Beautification Award for the Central Park we designed and installed at Zucker Hillside Hospital – Northwell Health’s nationally recognized behavioral health center. This hospital campus is a renowned psychiatric facility in Glen Oaks, New York. The hospital administration requested a park-like concept that provides beautiful views and outdoor experiences for the employees, doctors, outpatients, family members and friends visiting with patients. Interaction with nature is one of the hospital’s earliest tenets. When the facility was founded in 1927 therapeutic gardening was one of the original supporting activities and current patients continue the tradition of growing and caring for flowers that are planted throughout the campus. We became involved in making site improvements in the early 1960’s and have been helping the hospital grow and improve while keeping these core values intact.

The newly created open space once had a series of cottages, used for permanently admitted patients to receive therapy, which were in a state of disrepair. The removal of these cottages provided the canvas for the realization of Central Park in Glen Oaks. This park provides staff with areas of respite during their hectic schedules of caring for others and a functional way to get from point A to point B while enjoying this centrally located park-like setting. Benches are in strategic locations for both solitary and social opportunities. Trashcans and recycling bins with secure lids are provided throughout the park along the walks and in the dining terrace to reduce litter, deter foraging animals, and promote a clean environment.

An integrated dining terrace is nestled under mature Sycamore trees. These stately trees provide shade for employees taking a break during the warmer months. The terrace improves the sense of place where an asphalt ambulance parking lot and the dreary cottages once stood. The central plaza has a raised masonry planter that displays a marble sculpture crafted by an artist with very close personal ties to the facility. We worked closely with the artist to ensure this tribute piece is a focal point. Precise coordination with the transport company was essential to get the marble sculpture shipped from Colorado and installed with a crane on a specially engineered concrete footing. The main plaza borders and inlays are engraved pavers, which we coordinated with the hospital as part of a fundraising drive. They consist of inspirational sayings, memorial tributes, and messages of hope. The plaza is a space to contemplate and gather as part of the healing community.

We planted a diverse selection of trees in the central core of the campus. Flowering trees include Eastern Redbud to usher in spring. Japanese Dogwood and a small Japanese Cherry grove compliment the 60+ year old trees we installed on the campus previously. Crape Myrtle offers late summer color and Witch-Hazel gives a bright yellow pop at the end of gray winters. Red Maple, Dawn Redwood, White Pine, River Birch, and Curly Willow are dispersed throughout the park and will enhance the existing Pine, Sycamore, and Oak canopy as they mature. Hybrid American Elms line the drop off area in front of the new building and frame the north side of the park.

The newly designed central green space contains programmed and spontaneous recreational areas with ADA accessible concrete walks that wind through the park and connect various points of the campus. Many administrative offices are located in basement levels of the buildings and some have no windows. The open lawn areas in the park create an oasis of open space and are large enough to accommodate tents for special events at the hospital such as Nurses Appreciation Day, training sessions, outdoor meetings and the annual employee picnic. Drainage remediation strategies were introduced to counteract years of compacted poor soil conditions from previous infrastructure and became an important consideration in the design. Decorative and functional gravel infiltration areas with Corkscrew Willows help to direct water away from gathering areas.

Prior to construction, we contracted a private professional markout service to locate all underground utilities. This task was extremely important because this mature healthcare campus contains active oxygen lines, concrete vaults, electrical lines, telephone, cable, alarms, and other vital utilities. Lighting this facility is no small feat and is necessary to create a safe and navigable environment in this 24 hour facility. The 2 story light posts throughout the park are mounted on engineered reinforced concrete bases and are triggered by solar cells when the sun sets. Trenching for the line voltage conduits was a delicate production that involved maneuvering around all of the existing underground utilities and hand digging when necessary to avoid disruption to essential medical care.

The new park setting is a hub of activity. Pedestrians circulate safely, employees dine, and visitors sit and reflect in a serene environment. The transition from tired old cottages to a new vibrant space provides a great user experience and is a tremendous asset to this facility.

Written by: Sal Masullo, Nick Onesto, Ashley Palko Haugsjaa

Community Gardens

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Although community gardens have a long history prior to World War II, it was during this time, in the midst of food rationing, when citizens answered the call in the name of  the war effort, planting Victory Gardens to grow, eat and preserve fruits and vegetables for themselves and their families.   At least 20 million private and cooperative gardens were created back then in backyards and empty lots in the name of patriotism.

Today, concern for the environment and awareness of the health issues associated with the use of chemicals and pesticides, has brought about a trend toward more nutritious, organically grown, fresh produce.  Organic gardening relies on crop rotation to avoid insect and disease problems associated with a particular crop and the use of organic fertilizers, compost and mulch rather than the more traditional methods using insecticides, fungicides and chemical fertilizers.  Local or home grown organic food is also known to be far more nutritious than traditionally grown produce. The organic movement is not lost on the traditional supermarkets, as most have jumped on the bandwagon, introducing organic produce and grocery items to their shelves.  Limited selections and higher costs, nevertheless, have compelled many consumers to consider growing their own vegetables and herbs.  Others, without the benefit of a personal outdoor space, have gravitated toward local community gardens where they can enjoy and appreciate the satisfaction of tending, harvesting and eating their own produce.  There is also the added benefits of physical exercise, social interaction with fellow gardeners and emotional and physical health when eating a healthier and more wholesome diet.  Gateway Park Community Organic Garden, located in Huntington, is a wonderful example of how a local community can come together.  Growing produce while also supporting those less fortunate, provides an opportunity for the local community to improve their quality of life with a diet of healthy, home grown and nutritious food while also significantly reducing food costs.

Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA’s, are another path to realizing the benefits of healthy, sustainable organic produce while also supporting local farmers and the environment.   These programs are based on you, the consumer, purchasing a share of a farmer’s harvest.  A membership fee is prepaid early in the year to help the farmer purchase needed equipment and seeds.   Then, from May or June until November, depending on the crops a particular farm grows, a weekly allotment of fresh picked produce is harvested specifically for you.   Many of these farms have weekly drop off points in our area, so it’s important to choose a farm that delivers to a convenient location for you.   Some membership require work participation, but considering that the majority of CSA’s are located at the east end of Long Island, this concept may be impractical for most of us.   Produce selections and costs also vary from farm to farm, so checking out websites for the details is important.  Homecoming Farm in Amityville is a wonderful example of a group, the Dominican Sisters in this case, coming together to support themselves and the community with a healthy and sustainable Community Supported Agriculture project.  Bayard Cutting Arboretum and Bethpage Restoration Village are also CSA’s, but may or may not be organic.

As a consumer who purchases organic foods whenever and wherever possible, I find myself purchasing the same few available organic fruits and vegetables week after week.  The experience of tasting a healthier and more varied choice of local organic produce, fresh from the farm, is very appealing and adds another benefit, for me at least, to join a CSA.

Being aware of the many options available on the garden path to a healthier diet, whether to have your own backyard garden, a plot at a local community garden or a weekly delivery from a CSA you will be an integral part of a rapidly growing movement to reconnect with nature and support a healthier, more sustainable environment.

Written by: Maria Ferrero

Charging into the Future: Electric Vehicle Recharging Stations

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A Honda Fit recharging at Montauk Manor.Have you noticed the increase in hybrid and electric vehicle ownership? Originally invented in the 1800s (yes, the 1800s!), electric cars were outnumbered quickly by gasoline powered vehicles after Henry Ford debuted his affordable, mass produced Model T. A brief attempt at a revival happened in the 1970s during the gasoline crisis. Only now, with an emphasis on the environment, pollution, reducing our carbon footprint, rising fuel costs, and recognition of the finite nature of fossil fuels, have electric vehicles come back into popularity and are gaining steam.

Electric vehicle (EV) ownership is on the rise. Some benefits of electric cars are no tailpipe emissions, lower fuel and maintenance costs, and tax breaks. Here on Long Island, you can use the HOV lane with a Clean Pass sticker, which  you can get if your vehicle’s “…US EPA fuel economy rating averages at least 45 miles per gallon and meets the California Air Resources Board SULEV emissions standard…”  according to New York’s Clean Pass Program. Many electric and hybrid vehicles qualify, but check the website for the full list of approved cars. Electric vehicle’s overall mileage ranges aren’t as high as a gasoline powered car or hybrid (yet!) and you need to be able to charge while on the road. Even in a gasoline powered car, you need to refuel. Gas stations are ubiquitous, but charging stations are more difficult to come by. Most electric vehicle owner’s charge at home or at work, but what do you do when you’re on the road?

We are excited to be participating in creating a sustainable future and helping our clients move to the forefront of energy efficiency by installing state of the art charging stations in various Long Island locations for their customers. Some of our forward thinking clients are energized by the idea of providing electric charging services for their customers. This past fall we had the opportunity to design and install Electric Vehicle Parking/Charging Stations at two locations. One station is at the historic Montauk Manor, a resort in Montauk, NY, and the other is at a popular retailer, Bottle Buys, in Glen Head.

A sustainable addition to an existing parking area.Montauk Manor, at the very eastern end of Long Island, had no nearby charging stations open to the public at the time we installed the charging station. A guest of the resort has complimentary use of the charging station but anyone from the public may come by and purchase charging time to recharge their electric car’s battery.

At Bottle Buys in Glen Head, charge while you shop. Only a few miles from the Long Island Expressway and the Northern State Parkway, you can grab a nice bottle of wine for dinner on your way home from work while you charge your car.

Are you interested in reducing your carbon footprint? Have you bought an electric vehicle or know someone who has? Are you the owner of a business that would like to install a charging station? Talk to us about how to move ahead with EV charging stations and other sustainable landscape solutions.

Written by: Ashley Palko Haugsjaa

August’s Project of the Month

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Zucker-pix1Our current project of the month is a work in progress at the North Shore Zucker Hillside Hospital Park project. As a work in progress, this open space was the original location for cottages used by staff and patient’s of the hospital.  With the removal of the cottages in recent years because of safety issues, the area became a non functional space with no purpose until now. The buildings were removed and the area became an undefined space with people just wandering through haphazardly.

When we were asked by the hospital to look at the space, the options for its use started to evolve. We developed the idea of a plaza or hub to connect the activities that occur daily within each building due to the location of the area between several main buildings.

The Goldberg and Rodler team designed a master plan for the space to include an outdoor dining area, a plaza including a sculpture, walking paths with lighting, sitting areas, refuse disposal, landscape planting and a great lawn which can also accommodate tents and large events.

In the first phase of the project, we installed concrete walking paths providing connections to the surrounding buildings and decorative lighting along these pathways. This gives a sense of security for those walking from building to building while working night hours.

In the upcoming weeks, we will add refuse collectors, benches, picnic tables and a new seeded lawn to finish phase one.

Look for more on this project in the upcoming year…

Written by Rich Lambert

 

Earth Day at Long Island Jewish Hospital, and Cohen Children’s Medical Center

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Click image above to view video page

Earth Day is a very important day in our calendar that should inspire everyone to work together to improve our environment.  It marks a day of environmental awareness across the nation and people come together to reduce, reuse and recycle.  When spring is in the air and the weather is warm, people get eager to get outside and start cleaning up, not just for themselves but for everyone else in their local community.  Goldberg and Rodler is no exception, and this year for Earth Day, we collaborated with Long Island Jewish Medical Center and Cohen Children’s Medical Center to plant and dedicate two trees in the name of healing.

North-Shore LIJ has developed a new Green Initiative to bring the North-Shore medical system up to Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) standards by reducing water use in buildings, increased recycling and clean up programs, and improving the landscape.  Together, the LIJ’s Green Initiative team and Goldberg and Rodler hosted a ceremonious event to dedicate two trees to the environmental improvements at the hospital.

President Tom Rodler plants a new tree, with the help of Cohen Children’s Medical Center patientsThe event kicked off at 11:00am just outside Cohen Children’s Medical Center.  Goldberg and Rodler donated a double flowering Kwanzan Cherry tree centrally located within view from the hospital entrance, parking lot and street.  Two children, who were patients at Cohen’s Children Medical Center, came out and helped Goldberg and Rodler plant the new tree, which resulted in an emotional and extremely rewarding experience for everybody.  Together, with the help of the children, we mixed compost and fertilizer into the soil.  Everyone had a hand in filling the tree pit with rich organic soil.  Then it was time to add the earthworms.  This was a highlight for a lot of people there, because it was also a learning experience on the proper way to treat soil for a newly planted tree.  The act of touching and working with soil and plants is proven to be very therapeutic and served as a healing experience for everyone involved.  The last step was to add mulch and water thoroughly.  LIJ has acquired a new truck with an attached hose and water compressor, to optimize watering throughout the hospital campus.  Last it was time to name the tree, and the children were given the honor to name their very own tree.  Today on April 24th, “Pinky” the Cherry Tree was brought into our lives, and Goldberg & Rodler couldn’t be happier.

After a quick photo op, we moved to another location by the Emergency Room to plant our second tree, a Japanese Zelkova.  We utilized the same procedures to properly plant the tree to ensure its survival.  Goldberg & Rodler decided upon a Zelkova for this area because it will provide shade and an interesting vase shaped canopy over time.  Groups of administrators and doctors arrived at our second location to witness the final planting.  Everyone was excited to be a part of the process, get their hands a little dirty, and break up the monotony of their demanding jobs.  The group named this tree “The Healing Tree” in honor of the Green Initiative mission of healing the environment and the community at LIJ.

The Green Team at Cohen Children’s Medical Center and all of the helpers around their new tree “Pinky”Earth Day at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and Cohen Children’s Medical Center was an extremely successful and inspiring event for Goldberg & Rodler.  We are honored to donate to such a beneficial and healing cause for patients, employees and the environment.  Goldberg and Rodler promotes sustainability and community involved design, and looks forward to continuing to serve our community by volunteering in the future.

Written by Nick Onesto

Free Property Evaluation – Winter Damage

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A dynamic landscape composition of trees, perennials, boulder wall, waterfall, and annuals.We were hit hard this winter with near record snow totals combined with colder than normal temperatures, which had many of our plants covered in a frozen snow load. Ice storms and extended sub-freezing temperatures added to the stress on our plants as well as record amounts of road salt used this season.

In April, once the weather warms up and the plants break dormancy, you will be surprised to see the damage our properties suffered this winter. Broken, leaning or damaged branches on trees and shrubs. Browning or loss of leaves will appear due to a dry fall and cold winter winds which dry out broadleaf evergreen shrubs. Plants like Rhododendron, Skip and Cherry Laurel, Japanese Holly, and Leyland Cypress will either drop their leaves or have extreme browning of foliage. We can diagnose a treatment and pruning for these plantings to help them rebound from this difficult winter.

Let’s not forget the increasing population and migration of deer and the damage they are causing to our landscape. They will be looking for food from now through early spring and they won’t be picky. Alternative plantings that are deer resistant may need to be incorporated into your garden to help deter them away from your property. Another option is a deer fence which we can work into a property with minimal visual exposure to help protect your landscape investment.

Not only were our plantings hit hard but also our hardscape elements such as patios, decks, pool areas and driveways. I have already seen cracking, heaving and uneven settling of these materials. Repairs will be needed or it’s time to consider replacing some of these elements.

April is a good time for a property evaluation and to reassess your goals for the upcoming season. A Goldberg and Rodler designer is available to meet with you for a free property evaluation and determine the extent of the winter damage and practical solutions. Now is the time to plan for the year. Call (631) 271-6460 or email us to arrange your spring consultation and evaluation now.

Written by Richard Schneider

Winter Damage Assessment – Tree Care Long Island

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Our team follows safety protocol pruning dead trees and shrubs, keeping your home and family out of harms way.It’s been a rough winter. Many of our trees and shrubs were damaged: Leaning over, possibly breaking with heavy snow loads, filled with dead wood and hazardous to our landscape. Our children will be playing outside soon so you need to check for safety as well as the health of your trees and shrubs.

With our certified arborists, Tree Care Long Island can provide a thorough diagnosis and evaluation of your property before the growing season begins. You probably haven’t been outside recently and walked around your property to see what winter damage there is, so it is important to have a professional help evaluate your property.

Shrubs as well as trees should be treated, pruned or removed if they are hazardous. From our observation, properties that were pruned before Hurricane Sandy suffered minimal damage to property and home. Many properties still need this type of maintenance oriented horticultural pruning. Is your landscape ready for the next major storm?

Winter and early spring are the ideal time to address winter damage and structural issues with pruning and removals. Fertilization and environmentally safe pest control are also recommended.

Protect your property and family. Start a free site evaluation with our certified arborist from Tree Care Long Island.  Call (631) 271-6460 or email us today.

Written by Richard Schneider

 

Spring Landscape Preparation

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Snowdrops brighten the landscape in early spring. Photo cred. Sal MasulloWinter is retreating and the dormant landscape is thawing, ready to wake up and stretch out its limbs and leaves. Start your spring cleanup early by generating a check list for you landscape.

1. Walk around your property and assess snow/ice damage to gardens and hardscape. The heavy ice and snow builds up on top of plants and the branches will break under pressure. The ice also causes freeze-thaw which results in heaving and cracking in asphalt and pavers over time.

2. Identify potential drainage problems – As the ground thaws completely, settling may occur, resulting in new pooling and damp areas. Watch out for these now!

3. Lawn Care – Your lawn may seem flattened and weak in the early spring, so lightly rake your lawn to stimulate new growth to begin, but don’t rake too hard or you can damage your lawn and cause burn spots.

Pruning your shrubs and trees in late winter/early spring is a good way to promote new growth. Goldberg and Rodler Inc. has certified arborists and horticulturalists that can help you with analyzing the integrity and health of your trees and shrubs. Some damages aren’t recognizable to the average eye, but our experts can identify the signs of stress and teach you along the way. Removing dead wood in early spring will cause shrubs and trees to grow vigorously and increase the amount of flowers. Pruning can bring shape, light and air to your overgrown trees resulting in better overall health and protecting your landscape investment. Spring is the best time to plant slow-to-root trees such as Red Maple, Flowering Dogwood, Magnolias, and Oaks because they need a full growing season to establish their root systems. This is also a great time to apply a granular time released fertilizer to your planting beds.

As your spring bulbs like daffodils, tulips and hyacinth show their colors you can start dividing your perennials and spread them out in your landscape. They will grow throughout the spring and summer giving you more color and texture in your garden and provide a great way to stretch your planting budget.

Spring is bursting with color, featuring sweeping Daffodils and Star MagnoliaFrost is still a concern in the first months of spring. Temperatures can spike in early spring but drop drastically at a moment’s notice, so if you planted tender annuals already, you will want to take precautionary measures such as covering the plants with containers or bringing potted plants indoors. It is a good idea to plant hardy annuals that can take the cold temperatures such as pansies, marigolds, and dusty miller, then transition with those plants to your summer plant pallet.

Check for insects and diseases affecting your plants. For example, you may notice little white scale eggs on your plants which are an infestation rather than a pathogen. These pests hatch and live off the bark of the tree. Plants that are frequently infested with scale eggs are Magnolia, fruiting trees and shrubs and many varieties of Euonymus. If you catch them early enough this spring, the plants can be protected by pruning the infected branches, or spraying with organic, environmentally safe horticultural oil.

Venture out and enjoy the comfortable warm temperature of spring and transition your life outdoors yet again. The amount of work to be done can be daunting so if you have any questions or require guidance, give Goldberg & Rodler a call and our friendly staff will work with you personally.

Written by Nick Onesto

Landscape Trends 2014

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Play a relaxing game of bocce in your own backyard!Revitalize your spring landscape with a few new landscape ideas for 2014.

After this winter, aren’t we are all ready for spring? Winter has had a tight grip on us this year. Let’s shake it off and THINK SPRING!

Sustainability: Start your compost pile now. No meat byproducts, only “green” kitchen scraps (veggies/fruits). Grow your own vegetables and herbs. Collect rainwater to irrigate planters and vegetable gardens. Plant lower maintenance, eco-friendly trees and shrubs.

Lawn Games: A hit for outdoor parties or family time with the kids. Try games like Can Jam, Bocce, Volleyball or Badminton.

Garden Art: Always in and always a welcome addition. It can be as simple as a bird bath or gazing ball or as imaginative as a custom commissioned piece of sculpture.

Outdoor Furniture and Accessories: The options grow each year. Pillows, carpets, oversized umbrellas, canopies, hammocks, tiki bars and more can be integrated into your outdoor spaces.

Planting Trees: A sign of recovery from Sandy and from a sluggish economy. They’re also great for increasing air quality and providing welcome shade in the summer months.

Fire pits, fountains and outdoor rooms are recent trends that are still growing in demand. These are just a few ideas to get your mind moving on improvements for your landscape and motif and gardening habits. How do YOU get ready for spring? We would love to know what you do to get ready. Email us at SalM@goldbergandrodler.net. How do WE get ready for spring? There are a few ideas in our Spring Cleanup and Startup entry. Also check out our Cabin Fever article for planning tips.

Written by Sal Masullo

Indoor Greenhouse Oasis

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Feels a little tropical, even in the winterOne thing that gets me through these dreary winter months is knowing I will be back outside in my garden soon. Another thing is my indoor plants. No matter how big or how little your living space is, there’s always room for a plant.

Not only do indoor plants look attractive but they also have health benefits. Plants increase the air quality in your home by raising oxygen levels, removing toxins from the air and maintaining healthy humidity levels. Low humidity indoors during the winter can do dastardly things to your respiratory system, caused by the heating systems that keep us warm. Plants can make you happy and improve your mental health. Caring for another living thing can give you purpose and be fun, too.

Some plants are super easy to grow indoors, like the Snake Plant. Snake Plant, cacti and succulents make great first time plants for a person just getting started. They need minimal care beyond occasional watering. The only real issue to watch out for is over watering, as that will rot the roots. Other plants are super temperamental like African Violets. They need special soil, fertilizer and much more care than other options. Just make sure when you choose a plant that it has attributes you want; non-toxic if you have small children or pets, if your windows face north and/or east  get a plant that thrives in low light, or a plant that tolerates dry soil if you’re not around much.

In my experience, where you buy a plant from can have a bigger impact on how they grow than how you treat the plant. You can’t see inside the soil at the store and you won’t know until you have the plant home for a few weeks if there are any issues such as fungus gnats, mold, or root rot. Repotting might save the plant if you catch the problem in time. I usually quarantine a plant for a month in a separate room before I let it join the others. This prevents insects and diseases from spreading to all my plants if I bring home a sick one. You should do the same when bringing plants in from outdoors to over winter them. You don’t want the outdoor garden pests coming in!

They sell all kinds of gadgets to help an indoor plant owner; moisture meters, irrigation globes, grow lights, and other products, but nothing compares to experience. So buy a plant and start learning! Start with something easy, like the aforementioned Snake Plant. Seriously, you can’t kill it. I brought one home from college and it didn’t take the move well. I took it out of the soil and left it to dry out in a vase for over a year. Repotted it and that Snake Plant is thriving today. Dracaena marginata, Dracaena ‘Janet Craig’ or a Spider Plant would also be good to start with. Some of the other plants in my home are Ponytail Palm, Jade Plant, Dracaena, African Violets, Orchids, cacti, Agave, Aloe and an array of succulents, among others. They all have different colors and textures to liven up my living areas. The Aloe is especially helpful if I burn myself in the kitchen. I even have basil and mint in one of my greenhouse windows. I miss my herb and vegetable garden immensely in the winter and these tide me over until spring. Next year I’m going to see if I can bring more inside!

If you have any questions about your indoor plants or your outdoor landscape, email me at ashley@goldbergandrodler.net. Let’s figure out your plantscape together.