I think as younger plants, they may get affected by the dripping, but as older plants, their leaves would sufficiently reduce the effect of the dripping rain to where that will probably just be a nice watering for them. The next thing I would consider is how closely they will be grown, so that they can protect the soil from being washed away also (or pelted by drips)

Having said that, though, I have myself removed some plants that helped this drip line area (also planted by previous owners). It was only after I removed it and started some new, younger plants there that I realized how important the established plants had been for that area (which I will mulch soon, so that will help with some o f the soil erosion and run-off issue)

This post was edited by gardenper on Wed, Apr 23, 14 at 11:48

A drip edge at the base of the foundation would be best, if you have room for it.

Steve

Here is a link that might be useful: What is a Drip Edge?

I have the same problem. I plant either side of it. I replanted it last fall. In this picture it had just rained. Along the left edge of the bed you can see a cluster of seedlings. To the right of the drip line you can see heucherella. The problem was not so much the battering of the leaves but the freeze thaw one spring. We'll see how it goes this year with inexpensive plants!

Melissaâ¦.that's a beautifully manicured yard. Love it.

the other consideration.. in your zone.. is mid winter snow melt off the roof.. repeatedly ... and refreezing your crowns into an ice cube ... for God knows how many months ...

in the back of my barn... i have a treated 4 x 4 which accomplishes the same thing ... as the rocks ... but that is just to keep the mulch from being disturbed too much ...

same can be done.. if you have any extra retaining blocks ... of which.. you could splash directionally according to how they are placed

and do slope the soil away from the garage ...

ken

I agree with Ken, you should always slope soil away from a building. This is especially important for a building with a basement. I have not planted anything under the drip line even with gutters on the roof. From the building to a few inches further than the drip line I have rocks, actually put there those broken up pieces of red bricks I can buy here in bags at Lowes and HD. Digging those rocks in next to the building prevents voles and mice tunneling around there.

In case you plant hostas there, in winter they will be frozen in frozen soil and melted water dripping from the roof will puddle up around crowns, etc. Bernd

This post was edited by berndnyz5 on Wed, Apr 23, 14 at 15:07

Yes Ken - that is exactly what happened one winter. The melting snow off the roof and refreezing at night. Actually that space was kind of sunken and the water pooled. I had the bed graded away from the foundation. No more pooling of water. Under the drip line is a trough about 5" deep filled with mulch. You can't tell by the photo. The rain collects there and slowly drains away.

Ken - notice my intricate watering system I have in place. Almost as good as yours!

I know this is a wee bit off topic - but how do you keep your lawn so beautiful?? It is against the law to use chemicals to spray weeds here in Ontario and the lawns are a mess.

Clearly you are not talking to me! :-)

Sorry Teresa! lol

Paula - I am aware that my fabulous lawn is right up there with my intricate watering system! :-)

Paula, we have 5 fertilizer treatments per year. But our neighborhood is only 15 years old and almost everyone has a fertilizer treatment service. So, weeds haven't been a problem, for most of the neighborhood (the exception being the house about 300 feet away that's a dandelion farm).
Hubby mows cross-directionally once a week.

Most importantly, we have an irrigation system. Our lawn became much thicker and healthier when we installed it and it got all the water it needed. This pic was also taken in May, before the late-summer drought had set in.

Thanks for responding. It makes me want to take off my shoes and run around :)

Teresa, your intricate watering system does the trick - that is what counts!

Teresa, don't fret. I think your lawn and bed look wonderful-way better than mine. Oh, and thanks for the giggle. Very funny.

Cynthia

Paula, keep your shoes on.... I have dogs!

Lol - good thread! I have such a bed on northwest side of the house and use rocks for splash off effect also. Ventricosa lives there along with Lancifolia, undulata, lilies, fern and tall phlox, and Bergenia.

Jo