Purslane is great. I also highly recommend 'ice plant' which is flowering now and it's much more tolerant of cold snaps and frosts (it's perennial) than purslane (annual). If you do plant the iceplant remember it will run 18-24 inches from where it's rooted. Trimmings can be quickly rooted in plain water (as can purslane) to add to your garden plantings. Mexican zinnias (low growing continuous flowering neat mounding plant) in creamy white,almost marigold yellow and mixtures of rose,fuschia and pink do great in zeriscape if you prep the soil under and around them with just a bit of water saver beads. Don't use too much or it will heave the soil as the beads expand into globs of water holding gel. Look up plants recommended for zeriscaping for zone 7-8. After the droughts we've had down here you'll find a lot more selection of plants with lower water needs at your local garden centers.

She needs to go into the TLC on Memorial and ask for Marteen. He is the primary overseer for all conifer orders. He has years of experience with conifer survival in this area. He will shoot her straight on what will make it here and their variety to pick from is impressive. Unfortunately their prices are fairly high as well. I'm currently in the middle this spring and coming fall of putting in an extensive combination of conifers. I'm trying to see how far I can push micro-climating but definately anticipate losses. Our heat is not very conducive to a lot of conifers. mark

I would recommend driving around and finding some yards that you like the look of. Copy what they have done, or take some ideas from a few different places. We could all make suggestions, but if someone has been successful in your same climate, your chances are better if you do something similar. I would also strongly encourage you to knock on the doors of homes that you like the look of. Most gardeners are happy to talk about their processes. They might even offer you seeds or divisions of some of their plants that do particularly well. Another issue to consider is providing plants for wildlife. Shrubs that bloom for the pollinators and provide cover for birds and insects are excellent choices. You could also focus on "hard scape," meaning rocks or benches. I'd be careful about theft, since your spot is so exposed. Actually, your site is small enough that you could just plant a mixture of low-growing sedums and sempervivums in place of a lawn. I experimented this year growing both from seed and they did amazingly well. So, it could be done pretty inexpensively. There are companies that sell cuttings of such mixtures already grown, and sell them by the garbage bagful. Generally they sell to large businesses who have incorporated green roofs into their businesses. I bet you could get one bag and cover your entire yard quickly. Try googling "green roofs industrial" or something similar. Good luck and congratulations on thinking water conserving. Martha

Not surprised about the Blue Spruce...they are super popular, but prone to disase in many places, and very picky about humidity levels. Unfortunately most fast growing trees are short lived and disease prone. It is sort of a "live fast die young" kind of thing. As other have suggested, Dawn Redwood and Baldcypress are exceptions..fairly fast and disease resistant. Norway Spruce and Eastern White Pine are fast and fairly disease resistant...although, depending on what exactly is afflicting it, they may be vulnerable to the same problems as your spruce. Both would likely be more resistant, particularly the Norway Spruce. And pine have their own borers. Another Tulip Tree is a good possibility, if your current one is doing well. They are pretty fast. Unfortunately I don't think anything in Zone 6 is going to catch up to a 100 year old Tulip Tree in your lifetime...except maybe a hybrid poplar, and those are disease prone. Birch are susceptible to Bronze Birch Borer...River Birch less so then most others. Attractive trees.