Office foundation Plants

The photos show attempts at getting something to grow in this difficult site.  It is cool and shady in the morning and blistering hot in the afternoon.  It is sandy soil.  South and west winds cause problems, too.

Trees were planted in sand, and too close to the foundation of the building.  The trees eventually grew into the overhang, had wind damage, and started to die because of the soil conditions.  I didn't want to remove them, but felt they would not survive the location.  So, I took one tree out at a time after they deteriorated.

After the trees were removed, I tried three nine bark shrubs.  I added some better soil, but not enough.  Ninebarks didn't like the hot, afternoon sun as their leaves turned into potato chips.  This area is watered with a garden hose because there is no water system.

I planted five, donated Inkberry Holly shrubs next.  Evergreens would be nice for the entrance.  I added more soil again.  These shrubs were not fit for this area.  They slowly died away.

                  

Frustrated and not wanting to spend any money in this difficult location, I dug up plants from the grounds that I thought would survive this hot area.  I planted Autumn Joy Sedum, Russian sage and daylilies.  All of them can do without water for long periods of time and like the heat.

The next season, most of the plants were growing.  The daylilies weren't doing well as they were in too much shade near the building. I dug those out.  It is kind of a mix that doesn't usually look good at an entrance, but it is a "prairie" look and won't adjust it for awhile.  No one has criticized it yet.