My sister needs to put something in a small area between the concrete driveway and sidewalk. It's on the west side....lots of hot hot sun, but it also is wet most of the time (due to a drainage problem) Grass won't grow there, so it's an eyesore. What would work? Thanks
Need help with sunny, but moist bed
Frog- fruit, Phyla nodiflora could be a good one; http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/62730/index.html
Josephine.
This message was edited May 13, 2007 5:36 PM
Has she considered removing about 4" - 6" of dirt from the strip and filling the area with river rock up even with the driveway? She could then place some large pots on top of the rock. Large pots can hold small trees or shrubs. Under planting with some type of sprawling or small vining plant would soften the stark pot look. Go to the container forum for some ideas on multiple planting in pots. I've seen some gorgeous arrangements. If the driveway slope down toward the street, using some wooden shims will level the pots. Potted plants would give her a vertical as well as a horizontal look in that strip
Betty,
I love your idea. Unfortunatly they are gone a lot, and won't be able to water any containers. Besides, they are really landscape/gardening challenged! Evidently, She took after my dad's side! HA
I'm guessing your sister also lives in Brenham 8b.
Milkweed grows well in full sun/moist soil. Easy to start from seed. Butterfly magnet
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/54138/index.html
Coreopsis like these conditions
There is a swamp sunflower that likes moist, sunny conditions.
Some roses might do well as long as the soil is moist, but drains OK.
One quick way to improve the drainage in this situation is to grade or slope the bed. I have a narrow bed between my circular drive and sidewalk. I put edging between the sidewalk and the bed and then raised the back end of the bed about a foot with landscape mix. I purchased erosion prevention netting at Wmart and rolled it over the bed then staked it (to prevent soil from running off onto the sidewalk. Then dumped mulch over the netting (cedar mulch stays in place better than pine bark) Cut a circular hole in the netting to plant the plants. Now that the plants are established, the roots are holding the soil in place.
Calla and Canna lillies might work also.
LA Iris would work.