Hey Y'all...Finally getting ready to "add" plant life to the NBRR and thought I'd ask for some suggestions from those of you who share the same "Zone"...Our RR is located in a mature raised bed....plenty of old pine straw and other mulch over good rich, well drained topsoil! Most is partial shaded but there is on the backside of the Mnt. full sun during most of the day.I am wanting to start out simple-
Groundcover!
Lowes has Irish Moss for $2.49 each, in Dark and Light Green colors....I have considered "baby tears"...but really want you to chime in and make my choices easier! What has or has not worked good for you ?Where did you "get" your plants ?Recommendations on varieties or seller ?I thank you in advance!CaleI will also post this same topic on other forums...please do not feel obligated to answer me twice!
The Home of Articulated Ugliness
I'm zone 7 too. Love irish moss but have trouble getting it to spread.
sedums are #1 for spreading (all varieties); just tear pieces off and throw them around the garden and the resprout on their own; very drought resistent but like lots of sun
thymes grow nicely; all types
just about any mint plant grows nicely as do curry, and sage.
Winter heather in my experience likes semi-shade as it dries up fast in beating sun; boxwoods same thing
native junipers do great in sun and are drought resistant
Alberta Spruce need watering and care and do poorly if exposed to brutal winter winds; juniper (native) is a better substitute
daisies do nicely but dry up and wither around end of July but repropagate in winter and reflower in spring/early summer
most of my plants are from home depot. The daisies and juniper are from the wilds that I captured and liberated in my yard
Best planting time is early fall; however, garden centers tend to have empty shelves then and for some strange reason have fuller stocks in the springtime.
your soil and conditions may be different.
Best advice is to keep your receipts as you can return plants that fail in a year! That's why I advise against mail ordering (hassle to return)
Hello calenelson!
There are about 2.3 million plants that will fit what you are looking for. Can you be a little more specific about what you want in your plant life? Low maintenance? Evergreen? Tropical? Bright colors? Spring? Summer? Winter? Year round? With so many plant choices you are free to design your garden's hieght, density, color and bloom times, then go out and find a plant that fits your plan.
I can point you in the right direction if I knew what that direction is. On my own railroad I use almost exclusively wildflower species and semi-evergreens with some nice aromatics thrown in for good measure. This allows a respectable color showing year round, with a very long flowering season (my scabiosa bloomed all winter!) for very little money investment and almost zero maintenance. In fact, my only complaint was that I had so many flowers I didn't know what to do with them all!
I got the greater part of my plants from Norfolk Feed and Seed. They had healthy plants for half the price of the big box stores. My local nursery, Four Seasons in Virginia Beach, supplied the harder to find plants, also at a very affordable price. I've noticed that the big box stores may seem cheaper at first, but the quality of plant is generally poor and good luck finding somebody to answer your questions.
The absolute last thing you want to do is plant Kudzu!
Good luck!
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
I'm really interested in low grownig, fast spreading, green, hardy, inexpensive groundcovers....I just need some things to get started with...
I have a Mountain (back half full sun most of day, front, partial sun-shaded) that needs something to hold the dirt in place (erosion control).
I have a 4' sloped incline from ground level to track that needs erosion control (shaded).
I would also like green things to plant throughout to give the RR a "real" feel.
I have 6 portals that I'd like to plant around and over...only 2 in full sun.
You will notice the underline above...3rd child was a month old yesterday, so that means more for diapers and less for RR
As to flowers....not a big fan, but it's not a "die for"....if the plants did bloom, it'd be ok (ie:sedums)...I really appreciate all of the help thus far!
for an Idea of what I'm upto click below to see building log.
NBRR Log
Thanks again!
Cale
Right, thanks for the photos. Looks like you are in the woods, that changes a few ideas I had. I'll do some research and get back to you.
I like the web site. Take a close look at my avitar and see if you can figure it out
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