DIY front yard help with drought tolerant plants
Angie F
last year
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (6)
Related Discussions
Heatwave and drought tolerance in a yard vs natural
Comments (13)some of the ecosystem restoration and remediation projects in the US and elsewhere involve semi-natural and even formal row planting of trees. I'd say there's both scientific and observational evidence out there that trees and other plants, when dense enough, benefit the water system significantly a good example is how the state of MD requires any new construction to build in stormwater systems / habitat offsets that appear to include ponds, appropriate native tree planting and other native shrubs and grasses. I lived up there quite a while, and the difference between there and the free-for-all, socialized cost private development in Alabama is simply amazing. Even a quick t-storm here fills the streams with red clay silt from construction sites and overwhelms water systems. (It does not help that they let farms pull drainage ditches from their field into the county storm water evacuation system that we paid for, sad to see it happen, especially when the extra water caves in the side of the road)...See MoreDrought tolerant tree for 15 ft front yard with wall
Comments (11)Hoovb, this isn't really a simple yes or no type of question. I haven't found the roots to be an issue for me, as the Metrosideros Collins is very tolerant of both long term container culture with very confined root area, and amenable to close understory plantings close to the trunk, if you limb up or thin out growth to admit light to reach below a typically very dense canopy. The one you see in my photo forms adventitious roots along the trunk that grow down to root into the soil, similar to some Ficus trees, so if you don't like this quality, it may drive you up a wall. I don't really know what ultimate size this plant might reach, because this examplar is only 8 years in the ground, and I prune it once a year to keep it about ten feet tall so it doesn't block the neighbor's view of the bay. The trunks were always a multi from initial planting, and are about a foot clear of the wall foundation, close enough that some adventitious roots try to attach themselves occasionally, but they are easily pruned away if done once or twice a year. It tends to be deep rooted of soils allow, and the roots will also tend to follow any water, so definitely don't plant over leaky sewer or water pipes. The roots are amazingly dense growing and quite vigorous, a quality in combination with the waxy/fuzzy foliage which gives it it's salt and wind tolerance near the beach. If planted in a tight situation, I'd say the ideal would be to plant 3 or 4 feet away from structures, and expect that it might grow to 18 feet tall by across with age....See MoreNeed help creating drought tolerant yard on a budget in Long Beach, CA
Comments (14)Looking at your inspiration photos, it seems that there are groundcover-like materials that can be grown there. I'm not familiar with what they might be so can't make recommendations. But it looks like a fairly lush look is available if one chooses the right material. Before doing any planting, I'd be considering if there is any possible way to widen the entrance walk, which is considerably undersized. The house would look more upscale with a much wider walk and you could probably eliminate one step in the process, making for an improved entry experience. I'd consider removing all of the raised edging. The beds it creates are much too tightly pinched to the house. A 5' to 6' minimum bed width would be more like it. In addition, the edge itself is so thin that it cheapens the overall look of the property. A masonry bed edge should be 8" wide, or wider, in order to be in scale with a house. If the edging didn't exist, it would be easy to place foundation plants where they should go. I find myself wishing the fence that encloses the back yard didn't come so close to the front entrance. By doing so, it messes up possible planting (the blank space between the windows is asking for a small tree) and generally looks a bit utilitarian so close to the front entrance. It would be nice if the back yard entrance could be framed with an arbor, but I don't know if that's possible with the way the architecture is laid out behind the fence. It would need to be explored. In the illustration I'm showing the types of plants that could go in certain locations. It's not means to be comprehensive. It's a start....See MoreLow maintenance drought tolerant front yard?
Comments (8)"Might look like this." No it will not! Please do not expect your yard to be 'weed free' because you're using mulch. When my mulch was added, using fabric landscape fabric(useless!), the weeds kept coming, and coming........you get the picture! I've removed the fabric 'weed barrier', and am in the process of having black plastic installed, even though i've been advised against it by a few forum members. Like yourself I was envisioning a park-like, floral 'fiesta for the eyes', but have gotten a 'nightmare on Elm St.' instead. I had what I thought was a professional landscaper, and would have thought i would have been advised re:advantages/disadvantages of using mulch. What it's really about is what's going in their pocket....See More
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESHow to Spot a Drought-Tolerant Plant
Label? Who needs a label? Learn the characteristics of plants that can thrive in hot, dry conditions to help you pick the right ones
Full StoryGRASSESVersatile Breeze Mat Rush Sails Into Drought-Tolerant Yards
Grassy Lomandra longifolia thrives year-round in shady and sunny gardens, in containers and in the ground
Full StoryINSPIRING GARDENSNative Plants Bring 10 Southern California Front-Yard Gardens to Life
Rare plants, rain gardens and wildlife habitats are just a few of the features showcased on the 2016 Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES10 Plants for Colorful Fall Blooms in the Drought-Tolerant Garden
Want fall color but not a big water bill? Consider these not-too-thirsty fall bloomers
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES8 Unthirsty Plants Help You Save Water in Style
Spend less effort and money on your landscape with drought-tolerant and native plants that liven up your yard
Full StoryFRONT YARD IDEAS10 Ideas for a Front-Yard Edible Garden Your Neighbors Will Love
Choosing attractive, well-mannered plants and sharing the bounty will go a long way toward keeping the peace
Full StoryPLANTING IDEAS8 Colorful Drought-Tolerant Landscape Designs
These planting combinations show how to create a lush look with vibrant low-water flowers, shrubs and succulents
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES10 Drought-Tolerant Shrubs That Thrive in Full Sun and Reflected Heat
Got a hot spot in your garden where plants often die? Try these tough shrubs that add beauty while shrugging off the heat
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGN6 Front Yards That Balance Privacy With Curb Appeal
Selective screens, layered plantings and low walls boost privacy but still keep yards welcoming to neighbors
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNA New England Front Yard Designed for Relaxation and Resilience
Bluestone paving, raised beds and ornamental plantings transform a compact yard near Boston
Full Story
charles kidder