Re: drainage & survival

Hi,

I've some rather dramatic differences in survival rates for plants that
are rated as hardy, but normally would die out in a couple of years here,
by growing these under the eaves of the house (southern exposure, no tree
shade, otherwise it would be too shady) where there is little or no
natural moisture. I water in summer and don't in winter.

Examples:

Centranthus ruber died the second winter in the regular beds, and I have
10 year old plants under the eaves.

Ditto with 10 year old verbascum "Southern Charm" although those died out
the first winter in the regular beds.

I lose lavendar about 1 winter out of 5 but the ones under the eaves are
15 years old.

Gloriosa daisies aren't as long lived but can get 5 years out of them
when planted in the dry spot.

I've also been able to get some more tender salvias to winter over, but
not every winter. Don't know if that's the drainage or the warm south
wall.

My soil *isn't* real wet either, no standing water, but it is clayey and
heavy and seems to do a job on plants that just like good drainage. While
I amend when planting the compost rots away over time and then those kind
of  plants die in the winter. Have been amending with gravel lately and
it seems to be helping, will see how it goes.

Marya zone 6 MO
> >Those gardening on sandy soil in colder climates need to chime in
> >here about what 'tender' type plants they have managed to grow in 
> the
> >ground.

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