Difficult Planting Area

Hi,
I have an area approx.7 feet long under my picture window.It is a raised stone bed about 3 feet high and 18 inches wide.The raised bed was originally created,because nothing would grow there due to Maple tree roots.It was filled completely with potting soil and water ran through it like a sieve.I dug out the dirt,added compost,leaves,some water crystals and a little of our native clay to help it retain water better.It still doesn't retain water well,despite adding compost and mulching it every year.
The problem is nothing grows well there.It receives early morning and late afternoon sun and quite a bit of reflected heat.
It is not sunny enough for many plants and too hot for most shade lovers.Veronica struggled to survive and was unattractive.The leaves of Brunnera scorched.Hostas and ferns died.I have tried quite a few annuals and perennials there and always wind up digging them up and moving them,providing they live.
What I would really like there is something that would grow 2 or 3 feet tall that would look attractive at least most of the year.I would prefer something bees and wasps don't totally love,because it's right by the front steps where we often sit.Please don't say plastic,LOL.
IIt's not practical to tear the wall down,but I could dig out the dirt and bury pots if necessary.Any ideas are welcome.

Lynn

I love our Daphne odora -if you google you can learn if ok in your zone. There is a variegated winter daphne too.
This shrub hates to have wet feet. You have great drainage. It will take the early morning sun and the hot afternoon. It tumbles forward (away from your house) as it ages --good for your planter box since it will fall away from the house. It is b e a u t i f u l and will perfume the air. It is evergreen and will bloom during the late winter when you need something. It won't get too tall --it will go about four feet wide I think - so you can fit three and make them tight or just two. You can cut back if you like ..you don't post a photo so no way to know where the top of your planter box is in relation to the window.
These are not long lived compared to some shrubs but will go for many years. It would help if you posted a photo (style of the house, heights etc.) Anyway, I think it is worth your consideration.

Thank you.I will try and post a picture.Daphne odora is not hardy here(Zone 5a),but maybe another Daphne would be.The planter is about 4 feet below the window and is 2 feet tall,not 3 as I stated above.
Lynn

I am posting a picture.Please disregard the sad Sea Oats.They are waiting for a new spot this fall.(they don't like it there either).

You might want to add more soil right to the top since the roots won't be able to go down too far because of the existing tree roots. Planting higher would expose more of the plants and prevent any type of poor circulation issues.

Have you tried english lavender? (Not French---too cold your zone) It will tolerate the dry bed and the afternoon sun will be ok. Again I would suggest raising the bed as high as you can get it. Rosemary will probably do OK there. (Not my favorite---but it is a tough spot) Sedum will do well too but you will have nothing showing come the winter but will fill in quick once spring hits.

Consider painting/staining your planter a warmer color? Picking up a deeper or lighter tone of it for your railing and perhaps your steps? You could mulch that planter with pea gravel and place a few glazed coordinating-color pots planted with annuals. It would be nice for at least three season interest and the pots wouldn't look bad come the winter - even if nothing planted in them. (Or, you could pull inside if freezing an issue.) If there is room you could place a pot up on your landing --I can't tell by the photo how much room you have up there. Consider a long window box planted with annuals that could cascade over toward the planter. If you do consider a rock/gravel mulch, you could divert that gutter into the planter ---and supplement with your own watering when needed. A narrow trellis against the house nearerst the gutter would work well too. Also if you like the idea of a window box ---(maybe a little fancy and oversized) and don't mind the annual planting and maintenance, maybe you could just dismantle the planter ..it isn't working well anyway.. Mulch it the area with a neutral shade gravel or just hardwood mulch (again I'd go with the gravel ..it will take runoff better and be neater.) The window box with the plantings ought to be enough to make the house planting look finished and bring in some color.

This message was edited Sep 17, 2008 7:42 PM

The lavender could work with your climate. I have Lavandula angustifolias' Hidcote', and it does well in full sun with good drainage(zone 5). It doesn't need a lot of water either. It grows about a foot to 18 inches tall and the flowers are a darker purple than some of the others. It will get about as wide as your planter.

You might consider Columbine as well. It does well with low light and arid/dry conditions. Cold hardy to zone 3 (depend on variety).

Thanks to all of you.Lavender might be an idea,if I can find a hardy cultivar that stands humidity.From previous experience,it's too hot for Columbine.The bed does not freeze in the winter,but often has a heavy snow cover.It is a south exposure,but shaded by a large Maple ten feet away.The side by the drainpipe is west and a little less shaded.
I can't really tear it down,because my husband built it and he's pretty proud of it.
After looking at it last night,it does need more dirt added.I also like the idea of contrasting color on the steps.Window boxes don't work well,because the windows open outward.The tree roots are not a problem.When it was constructed a deep layer of rock was placed in the bottom.
What I would really like is two or three tall plants with something trailing planted at the base.I thought of some of the hardy succulents or maybe some type of upright grass.
Lynn

can't really tear it down,because my husband built it and he's pretty proud of it.(SMILE)

I have a husband like that too!
The rock at the base --just as problematic as a tree root with regard to the roots ease of plants you put there-- maybe that is why the water drains away so quickly..do you think? Is it humid where you are? I guess I don't associate cold places with humidity. For sure lavender doesn't like humidity.

I had the same problem with a huge window box. I go with annuals now. I have cosmos for the tall stuff with coreopsis around their feet for the self-seeders, and spruce them up with seasonal annuals in-between. The lack of moisture and sun in the summer, followed by shallow roots in the winter freeze just isn't condusive to perennials.

Lynn, sounds like duck has it down pat. Can you grow these?

Thanks everybody!! Yes Rosie,it's very hot and humid here in the summer.Winters vary from cold and dry to cold and wet.Springs are often cold and wet which is tough on plants that don't like "wet feet",like hardy cacti.These husbands are precious,right?LOL.
Yes Duck_toller I may have to go the same route.We drove all over the neighborhoods in my area today.All I saw in situations much like mine,were Yews,Junipers,Live Forever Sedum,scorched Hostas,Barberrys and arrangements of potted plants.The latter looked the best in most cases.
I will update everybody later.
Lynn
P.S. I did also see a few small trellises and some shepard hooks.