lantanas don't need too much water, especially once they are established. in the peek heat of summer, mine will get a deep watering once a week and that is only because they are on the same drip as other plants in the yard that do require a bit more then the lantanas. a rock garden sounds like a great idea. if you are looking for some xeric plants and flowers, check out high country gardens web site: http://www.highcountrygardens.com/ i think it might be too late in the season now to have orders sent here from them, but they have a great selection of xeric flowers, including various lavenders, that you can check out at their site.

Hi Mary and all, I've got a LOT of plants growing along the north side of the house. Some are very low water and some aren't (though I try to keep them generally grouped to make watering easier). Here's a quick list of what I've got planted that is thriving (not just surviving, but looking great): These all get a lot of bright indirect light all year and just a touch of morning sun in summer only: Agave americana Squid agave (Agave bracteosa) Aloe saponaria Aloe brevifolia Datura meteloides Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) Callisia fragrans(like a fun, more-durable spider plant) Giant (or "white") bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) Spider plants (Chlorophytum in the ground year round) Honeysuckle vine (Lonicera)a great suggestion from Judy B Slimjim bean (Phaseolus filiformis great delicate foliage and tons of small snail-vine-looking blooms) Pencil cactus (not really a cactus but a nice succulent, Euphorbia tirucalli plus tons of coleus and begonia 'Dragon Wings red' in pots. I'm sure other folks will share what they've got thriving on the north sides of their houses, but those are some plants off the top of my head that have done really, really well planted not far from the foundation of the north side of the house. Just keep in mind that I don't have any large trees nearby so it's pretty bright even without direct sunlight. Let us know what you select, and how it works out. Take care, Grant

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I should have included a bit of back information that would better give orientation about my overall objectives. This first year or two, my main objective is to define the borders of the porch for my two large dogs. Until now, we had a pad and grass up to the pad (pad is the same pre- and post- porch construction) and they could exit the pad anywhere. Now, I want them to get used to exiting the pad onto the sidewalk in the center, because elsewhere will now be beds (and mud and mess and plants to be stomped). That's why I've bombed the front with the cinnamon ferns, to make a sort of visual railing while the dogs re-learn their exit, and while the beds age in with better soil and I get some other plants going (hostas, etc.). For the first year or two. It will be no problem to move the ferns around the corner when that time comes. I've always wanted a mass of ferns on this eastern facing side: My second objective is to create a streamlined mow line. The grass is maintained with a 60 inch deck mower so whatever bed edge I develop needs to allow the mower to move along it easily (I guess rather than undulating what I was trying to get to was smooth curves rather than corners, for mowing purposes). Third objective is LEAST maintenance from a hand weeding perspective. I know it won't be zero, but I'd like to have it controllable without being consuming. Fourth objective is "pretty." I'm not bothered with "curb appeal" in general as the only viewers are anyone coming up the driveway; this is not seen from the street. Eventually, I would like to grow and develop in a pretty foundation border. I got the ferns cheap and they will help my first objective. As I can, I will add more plants and soil amendments, so that is what I'm asking for - where do I EVENTUALLY want to go with this, etc. I appreciate all your inputs! Please add as you have thoughts!

First, I love the Cypress Vine idea, I did some research and they're in the Morning Glory family; it doesn't re-seed easily, they would need to be soaked or sanded. But I love the vine. The other choice is back to Clematis. Nobody agrees on ones that can live in shade because I think it's different for everyone. Are they in microclimates? What zone is it? Do you ever water? Me - not so much. So I'm going to have to think about this whole idea and try to run a nursery at the same time. I am so far behind on my own yard it's actually a joke. That's why I like Clematis. Most of them just crawl up and sit there. Hmmm. Thank you for the clematis forum, I already saw that, there's like 30 clematis that people list that grow in shady areas, however that doesn't mean zone 6. I was hoping for a clematis expert who could say "try one of these 5 vines they'll get huge and can handle shade". There's a lot of experts floating around out there. Thanks everyone.