what to plant on the east side
- Subject: what to plant on the east side
- From: B* D*
- Date: Sun, 7 Apr 2002 18:40:43 -0500
I'm hoping for ideas for low-maintenance additions to a narrow east side
strip.
It is under the wide eaves of our 1960s bilevel, 1' wide, all along the
east side of the house. To its east is a walkway, and east of that is lawn
and a big pin oak. This narrow strip gets no rain and little if any sun
except for a bit of morning sun in winter because of the pin oak. On the
plus side, it is very sheltered.
I planted small and mini hostas there last year, but they seem to want
more moisture. A bit of Sarcocca humilis is doing VERY well and stayed
green all winter, but this was a mild winter. Because it's so protected, I
can probably put zone 6 plants there, but they need to be drought
resistant because let's face it, I'm not going to water that strip
regularly. I can water until the plants are established but then bye-bye.
Could I try microbiota decussata there? What about smaller types of
boxwood? Should I take out a second mortgage and buy more Sarcocca? It
needs to be something that will stay small, tolerate extreme drought and
shade, and preferably stay green and look elegant year round. I hate to
resort to pachysandra, but that may be the best option. Ideas anyone?
Bobbi Diehl
Bloomington, IN
zone 5/6
