Looking for some bright ideas

14 years ago

This is the southwest corner of my house. Gets lots of sun. It is at the top of a slope and as you can see, the A/C drains into it. (And the derned dogs have been digging in it!) I had a pineapple sage there that got really huge, never bloomed and then died.

Any ideas? I have some fortnight lily that is ready to be divided that I could put there. It can't be anything too tall or out of control because of the a/c unit. It has to be able to stand being wet part of the time, too.

What do you think?

Thanks in advance.

Melissa

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Comments (9)

gardencpa
Original Author
14 years ago
That is the South EAST corner of my house.
amberroses
14 years ago
I put a pygmy date palm (the short kind) next to my a/c. It looks pretty and doesn't bother the unit.
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an_ill-mannered_ache
14 years ago
that dietes is a great idea... nothing can kill it.
imagardener2
14 years ago
Canna came to mind because of the moisture. Many colors, non-invasive, not bushy just vertical.
juneroses Z9a Cntrl Fl
14 years ago
Hi Melissa: My AC is in the same SE orientation as yours. Mine is hidden by Philippine violet (barleria cristata). I planted it out from the AC and even left space for the bag that holds plant material to be recycled.

The shrub has deep green leaves all year and lovely blue trumpet flowers now in the fall.

Cuttings root easily, which is how I got mine. Although it would grow taller, I keep mine about 4' high.

June
garyfla_gw
14 years ago
Hi
You don't have trouble with the violets seeding?? On my long list of invasives this has got to be at least # 3 lol
Even sprouts in the rain gutters!!.
gary
annafl
14 years ago
Melissa, I don't really have any great ideas. I was going to suggest mirror-leaf viburnum as a background foundation plant (a staple, but a bit boring), but you have gotten much better suggestions.

June, your corner is gorgeous!!! I love the trellised allamanda and the beautiful mounds of flowers in front. Who would ever pay any attention to an air conditioning unit with that riot of color in front! Great job.

Anna
juneroses Z9a Cntrl Fl
14 years ago
Gary: I first saw Philippine violet in a neighbor's yard. It was blooming and one couldn't help but admire it. She promptly broke off a branch and handed it to me, saying it would root easily. Her yard looked tidy so I didn't investigate before planting it by the A.C. unit.

I'm SO glad I didn't know that others, such as you, find it invasive because I wouldn't have risked planting it. In this case, ignorance was bliss because I find PV to be a wonderful plant with only a seedling here or there to pull out. For me it's far from invasive.

Sometimes I wonder if I've bypassed other worthy plants because they've also been labeled invasive. Maybe, for me, they'd be relatively well behaved and a garden treasure to be enjoyed. - June
gardencpa
Original Author
14 years ago
Good ideas, thanks.

June - I love your a/c corner. Very cool.

I have Phillipine violet in another spot that just started blooming. I have never had it before I really like it too. It might be a good choice. I'll see if the DH objects to the height. I would like the fact that it blocks the view of the a/c but he likes easy access to equipment. Maybe I will plant one in the center and some fortnight lilies in front of it. I keep making the beds wider and wider. The one with the russelia (I think that is it) and pentas to the left of the ugly spot needs to be expanded again.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I will mull them over and post a picture when I get it done.

Melissa

Looking for some bright ideas

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gardencpa
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amberroses

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Looking for some bright ideas

Comments (9)

gardencpaOriginal Author

amberroses

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gardencpaOriginal Author

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gardencpa
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