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Plants for a tricky area PNW

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Hi there,We recently moved to a home near Victoria BC. It has beautiful mature landscaping in Japanese style around three ponds. We've been taking out some dead trees and shrubs, it seems there's a tricky area where nothing is thriving. It's on the right side, between the row of azaleas and the clematis on the fence (planning to move or remove the few plants there now, they look awful). Lots of sun, seems dry even though it's irrigated. I'd love to plant something en masse in this area. Hydrangea? Ornamental grasses? I'd love ideas for something that might thrive in this tricky spot! Photo in comments, I couldn't figure out how to add to post!

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btydrvn

2 years ago

Sorry for oversharing🤗

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Comments (17)

Leanne Downs
Original Author
2 years ago
Leanne Downs
Original Author
2 years ago
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I had the same situation, I needed a plant that could take the roof runoff. I planted an iris looking plant, that I bought at Lowes. I can't remember what color it bloomed, I bought it mainly for texture. I like airy plants. It got so large that Albert dug it up for me, maybe he can tell you more about the plant. Roselee took a picture of it and put it the photo gallery in this forum on 5-23-11( honeybunnys garden). I looked it up and its on the 3rd page. Its the 2nd picture down, next to the white indian feather( gaura). It was the only plant that could take the runoff, everything else rotted. I tried sky flower, yellow bells, and hibiscus they rotted. It fianlly got so large, it was blocking my sprinkler from watering the yard, that is why I gave it to Albert, who is the perfect neighbor. Indian feathers also come in pink, they bloom all year long. I cut them back in November, they are already 6 inches tall. They get dapple sun, and are planted on the North side of the house. Barbra
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Leanne Downs
Original Author
2 years ago
Jj J
2 years ago
Such a serene garden. That is such an abrupt change it makes me wonder if some weed killer had been put there? Is the soil texture different there if you dig? Or do you hit rock before you can dig deeply? If it all seems like the rest of the garden, I might consider having the soil analyzed, could offer clues...
Leanne Downs
Original Author
2 years ago
It is an abrupt change and I've wondered about the weed killer also. The rest of the garden is mostly on/around large rocks, it is the areas where there seems to be more top soil that are doing poorly.
Jj J
2 years ago
It’s also odd that it seems so dry, since it has been a generally cool spring (aside from a week about 1 month ago). Have you run the irrigation system to confirm that area has coverage?
btydrvn
2 years ago
It seems to me that every square inch of the garden need not be covered with thick growth...the open space can be a “relief” ...a breath of fresh air..in these surroundings...maybe level it a little..add pea gravel as a ground cover...a few comfy wood chairs...with a table between...a piece of sculpture or two?...even if it is only used as a resting place while working in the garden....i would look at this a a positive...not a negative....since i love reading and a little sunbath now and then this would be a great place for that...
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years ago
If plants do not grow well in that location, then you need to find out why. Bad drainage? Too rooty? Soil nutrients depleted? Irrigation malfunctioning? Once you have that established and corrected, then we can make some suggestions for plants that work under those conditions.

Since yours is a Japanese inspired garden, an alternative would be to turn this area into a Zen garden. Just rocks or sand (or both), with a Asian inspired ornament, like a pagoda lantern. Or a natural rock cairn sculpture.
Jj J
2 years ago
That’s true, btydrvn, and that could be a good solution. Still odd that this area isn’t developed like the rest of the garden or already established as a sitting area.
btydrvn
2 years ago
It could be as simple as whatever was there was removed or taken away by the seller... but I see no reason to worry or have questions about it... beyond testing the soil to be sure there is no threatening problem to correct...it could really be that something over grown or unsightly was just removed..with no motivation to replace... it is an incredible plus to find a beautiful established garden such as this..,hope you love and have time for gardening....
btydrvn
2 years ago
We have a similar outdoor setting and literally live outdoors all summer... but it took 20 years of adding and editing to get it to this point...
btydrvn
2 years ago
lots od annualstoo
btydrvn
2 years ago
🤷🏼‍♀️lots of annuals
btydrvn
2 years ago
One last view from our front porch
btydrvn
2 years ago
Forgot my favorite feature...50’ of wisteria vines ..
PRO
OrpitaGhosh
2 years ago
Such a beautiful garden!

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