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Consider Water and Wind An irrigation system, though expensive, made a huge difference for Monaghan's rooftop, allowing her to greatly expand the number of plants without requiring her to spend her life watering. She turned to hardy herbs, shrubs and trees, including junipers and white pines, which could withstand the strong winds off the Hudson.

Think Vertically To maximize the amount of greenery, "I use lots of wisteria, honeysuckle, Boston ivy, lush flowering vines and climbing roses," Monaghan says. "I'm constantly adding trellises." She also plants annuals such as nasturtiums, and indestructible carpet roses, to add color and fragrance.

Cut Your Losses In an urban setting, anything green is so welcome that there's no need to struggle with difficult species. "If it dies, don't keep buying more," Monaghan says. "You have to give up imposing your will and just plant what works."