Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Shrubs for School Grounds....Butterfly Bush etc - need help!, 1 by plymouthgarden

plymouthgarden wrote:
Hi -

I'm the volunteer "Landscape Committee Chair" at our local elementary school. Last fall I re-did the tired beds in the front of our 100+yr old school - divided all the daylillies, cleaned up the shrub roses and put in 10 variegated weigelas (I know they are old-fashioned, but I love them!) - also put in 2 small Oxydendrum for spring interest and fall color. 2 years ago I put in 4 nice, big Miscanthus Gracillimus at the ends of the walkways and someone else planted some often-trodden upon boxwoods (these people love their boxwoods) - they don't seem to be growing at all.

This spring the school is thinking about planting an area on the school grounds that is tiered. It's 3 levels, far away from any water source and pretty much in full sun. Several people suggested Buddleia - any ideas for a spot like this? It's about 40' across. The town created this leveling on our field, and put in some shrubs and they (mostly) all died. This was before I was volunteering - I'm thinking no one took responsibility for these plants and they were never watered.

Criteria: Zone 6
Full Sun
Drought Tolerant
Evergreen would be great
Native would be great too

I'd love to use some native shrubs that will provide something nice to look at, and be a habitat for birds and animals at the same time. This is a pic of the front of the school before the Oxydendrum/Weigela overhaul. I was thinking it would be nice to mix several types of plants incase something comes along and attacts a particular plant.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Kara