Xeriscape or Zen plantings - Ask Extension
Hello, I’d like some help with a front yard stacked stone-edged garden area, under a very large pine tree that faces SW. The tree shades half of the...
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Xeriscape or Zen plantings #829070
Asked May 08, 2023, 7:15 PM EDT
Hello, I’d like some help with a front yard stacked stone-edged garden area, under a very large pine tree that faces SW. The tree shades half of the garden but the afternoon sun is brutal toward the front edge. What plantings might work to create a Zen feel or what xeriscape would you recommend given the difficult heat and light conditions?
Thank you! I look forward to hearing from you.
Arapahoe County Colorado
Expert Response
Thank you for your question to Ask Extension.
I think there are a number of options for plants that can withstand the heat and sun.
I'd like to ask you some questions:
1. Can you send a picture of this area? This would help me to know exactly what you are describing in your email.
2. How is this area watered? (sprinkler system, drip irrigation, by hand??)
3. What is planted there now?
While I wait for you answers I am going to include the following links to Fact Sheets that you can look over:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-creative-landscaping-7-228/
Look at the shrubs section of this Fact Sheet:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-trees-and-shrubs-7-229/
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-ground-cover-plants-7-230/
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/ornamental-grasses-7-232/
Native plants:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/native-herbaceous-perennials-for-colorado-landscapes-7-242/
This is a lot to look through but this will give you an idea of the many possibilities for your garden area. I look forward to hearing from you.
I think there are a number of options for plants that can withstand the heat and sun.
I'd like to ask you some questions:
1. Can you send a picture of this area? This would help me to know exactly what you are describing in your email.
2. How is this area watered? (sprinkler system, drip irrigation, by hand??)
3. What is planted there now?
While I wait for you answers I am going to include the following links to Fact Sheets that you can look over:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-creative-landscaping-7-228/
Look at the shrubs section of this Fact Sheet:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-trees-and-shrubs-7-229/
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-ground-cover-plants-7-230/
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/ornamental-grasses-7-232/
Native plants:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/native-herbaceous-perennials-for-colorado-landscapes-7-242/
This is a lot to look through but this will give you an idea of the many possibilities for your garden area. I look forward to hearing from you.
Hello! Thank you for responding and sending me some great “homework” … lots to integrate. I’ve included a few pics of our SW front yard area, originally landscaped in 2010 with good rich soil. We do mulch, but haven’t amended to any extent . . .acidic now from the pine tree i’m guessing. The sprinklers stand above ground and cover pretty well. More could be added.
The plants that have survived are… Jack Frost Brunnera, Autumn Joy Sedum, Salvia and Veronica. A few Siberian Iris are blooming now, but have spread out in a circle. I don’t know much about dividing bulbs. The Butterfly bush has been cut back, usually doesn’t bloom much, and the grass on the left gets large. The 2 Oriental poppies struggle. We planted some hostas as well and a few still bloom. Thinking of adding some Sun&Substance for a lighter color. I usually plant annuals in the right front corner, which can suffer from the hot stone edge. Pansies get eaten by earwigs i think. The Manhattans do well by the house, as does a dogwood on the far left, and a Viburnum in front. Wondering if Allium could work somewhere? I love that plant.
Looking forward to some ideas for a little vibe of serenity. Color is welcome.
On May 12, 2023, at 2:33 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Thank you for your responses and for sending pictures.
You could definitely add more Hosta plants around the tree. Some larger leaved ones may do well and take up some of the space under the tree. Hostas are really grown for the foliage not the flowers which are not all that interesting.
It is a misnomer that pine needles make the soil more acidic. Perhaps if they were 3 feet deep but certainly not in smaller quantities. It is very difficult to change the pH of the soils in Colorado.
More information regarding hosta: https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/annuals-perennials/1033-hosta/
Here are some design ideas for sunny areas:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/perennial-gardening-7-402/
The plants mentioned in this Fact Sheet will all do well in your garden situation. There is lots of color in these designs.
Some shrubs to consider are: Caryofteris x clandonensis, 'Blue Mist' spirea. Blue Mist has grey-green leaves and powder blue flowers. There are other varieties that are equally as pretty. Here is more information: https://www.waterwiseplants.org/find-a-plant/bluebeard/ This plant will attract bees and other pollinators to your yard. Another shrub: Prunus x cistene, Purple leaf Sand Cherry has very pretty foliage and blooms in the spring. It can get a bit leggy but with proper pruning you can make a nice shrub of this plant. There is also a native sand cherry, Prunus besseyi, Pawnee Buttes Sand Cherry that has white flowers and is smaller overall.
You might think about using a ground cover near the edge of the bed, maybe one that will trail over the edge of the rocks. https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-ground-cover-plants-7-230/
Siberian Iris will continue to spread outwards from the center point of the original planting. Often this will make a center. After the plants bloom you can dig up sections of the circle and plant in other areas of your garden. The flowers are beautiful but the foliage does lend itself to a "wispy-like" look in the garden. Allium bulbs would be planted in the fall and there are many varieties available in the fall. Other types of bulbs will also provide you with that early spring color and texture in the garden.
I would suggest going to a garden center or nursery and just walking around to see what types of plants you like. Walk around your neighborhood and see if there are plants that you like. Make a design on a sheet of paper, hone this design as you look at plants and what may be available at your local garden center. Consider the amount of water that your choices will require and tweak your plant list to suit the watering requirements.
Good Luck!
You could definitely add more Hosta plants around the tree. Some larger leaved ones may do well and take up some of the space under the tree. Hostas are really grown for the foliage not the flowers which are not all that interesting.
It is a misnomer that pine needles make the soil more acidic. Perhaps if they were 3 feet deep but certainly not in smaller quantities. It is very difficult to change the pH of the soils in Colorado.
More information regarding hosta: https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/annuals-perennials/1033-hosta/
Here are some design ideas for sunny areas:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/perennial-gardening-7-402/
The plants mentioned in this Fact Sheet will all do well in your garden situation. There is lots of color in these designs.
Some shrubs to consider are: Caryofteris x clandonensis, 'Blue Mist' spirea. Blue Mist has grey-green leaves and powder blue flowers. There are other varieties that are equally as pretty. Here is more information: https://www.waterwiseplants.org/find-a-plant/bluebeard/ This plant will attract bees and other pollinators to your yard. Another shrub: Prunus x cistene, Purple leaf Sand Cherry has very pretty foliage and blooms in the spring. It can get a bit leggy but with proper pruning you can make a nice shrub of this plant. There is also a native sand cherry, Prunus besseyi, Pawnee Buttes Sand Cherry that has white flowers and is smaller overall.
You might think about using a ground cover near the edge of the bed, maybe one that will trail over the edge of the rocks. https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-ground-cover-plants-7-230/
Siberian Iris will continue to spread outwards from the center point of the original planting. Often this will make a center. After the plants bloom you can dig up sections of the circle and plant in other areas of your garden. The flowers are beautiful but the foliage does lend itself to a "wispy-like" look in the garden. Allium bulbs would be planted in the fall and there are many varieties available in the fall. Other types of bulbs will also provide you with that early spring color and texture in the garden.
I would suggest going to a garden center or nursery and just walking around to see what types of plants you like. Walk around your neighborhood and see if there are plants that you like. Make a design on a sheet of paper, hone this design as you look at plants and what may be available at your local garden center. Consider the amount of water that your choices will require and tweak your plant list to suit the watering requirements.
Good Luck!
Hello, and thank you so much for responding. Your suggestions have helped point me in the right direction and that’s what I needed. I’m starting to envision the space now.
Happy gardening to you!
Joann
