Spring is quickly approaching, and summer is right around the corner. Yay! Many of us are dreaming of yards and gardens full of greenery and colorful blooms. Sometimes our dreams seem to turn into nightmares when we find that our landscape seems to be too dry, too shady, or the soil is just wrong, and our beautiful plants just don’t seem to thrive. While we may fear that either we just don’t have a green thumb, or maybe it’s time to just pick up and move, there is a better solution. Give yourself a leg up by starting out on the right foot and choosing the right plants. There’s no need to pack your bags yet, we have a few plants that you’ll be hard pressed to kill.
Problem One: My Yard is too Shady
We have plants for that! If your backyard gets little to no sun throughout the day that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to shadowless plants. There are several plants that are shade-surviving. Top of the list is Ajuga. It’s a weed-smothering ground cover that can add color and reduce your maintenance. Win-Win! Another option is the Caladium. Caladium is an annual and can be left in the ground year-round. Their leaves are red, pink and white and can easily be coordinated to match the rest of your landscape design. Persian Shield is a beautiful leafy plant that is durable and has metallic purple foliage that is sure to be a showstopper. Are you looking for bold, textural leaves that blossom throughout the season? The Oakleaf Hydrangea is likely to thrive even in the darkest of corners. Is your backyard not only shady, but also dry? The First Frost Hosta is the plant you need. Frist Frost Hosta has pretty pale lavender flowers and variegated leaves and grows up to 16 inches tall and 30 inches wide, a beautiful addition to a low light garden.
Problem Two: My Garden is Drought Prone
We are very familiar with drought here in the San Joaquin and Central Valley, so it’s no surprise that we need to choose plants that are suitable for the low water area. Agave is a great low-water succulent that you can add to your landscape. They add a splash of color to the space as well as visual interest. Are you looking for some flamboyant drought-tolerant blooms? The Desert Rose looks like a bonsai with a thick, short trunk and has gorgeous blooms. The trunk stores water so you don’t have to water it! Sedum is another low-maintenance plant that rarely needs to be watered. You can turn it into a beautiful living carpet by dropping several plants into loose soil in a toil format.
There aren’t many problems that the right plant can’t fix. If your landscape is too shady, too dry, or too sunny there’s always a plant for that. If you do your research and get creative, you can create a low-maintenance garden that is sure to survive. We would be happy to help you find the right plants for your landscape.