Soil Conditions and Plant Growth

One troublesome area in summer is the dry, hot spot often found on sunny unprotected south or west slopes. This spot often also has poor, rocky or sandy soil. If the spot is beyond easy watering, plants must be chosen that are able to survive such trying conditions. When drought years came interest in plants suitable for such a location may increase.

One of the most durable plants for this spot is the yucca. Its sword-shaped, evergreen leaves form a dense clump. Once established, the plant is practically indestructible. Its creamy-white flowers are produced on stems 4 to 6 feet tall. However, its year around interest as a low, evergreen plant is more important than the flowers which appear for only a short time. Other shrubs tolerant of a hot, dry location include the flowering quince.

Although it may be slow to get established in a poor spot, once established, it is durable. Japanese barberry and privet are outstanding for use as hedges in the sunny, dry location. Plants that provide ground cover in these trying conditions are limited. Two types to consider are the creeping juniper and the sedum. Varieties of the horizontals junipers are wide spreading and grow only about 10 inches tall.

Some of the more popular varieties include Bar Harbor, Wiltoni (Blue Rug) and Douglasii (Waukegan). Other satisfactory varieties are available in many localities. The andorra juniper grows to about 18 inches in height, and is suitable where a taller ground cover can be used. Sedums, also called stonecrop, grow well in the sunny, dry spot. Sedums are most often found in rock gardens since they grow best in a relatively dry, well-drained soil.

There are many types available. Some are evergreen, while others die back each winter. Flowers, produced on most of them, range in shades of white, yellow and pink. Cuttings of them root easily, and some may become weedy in good growing conditions. They do not compete well with grass and, therefore, cannot easily be introduced into grassy banks. Most stonecrops grow only 3 to 6 inches tall. A few, such as the attractive flowering "Sedum spectabile," reach a height of 12 to 18 inches.

Several flowering perennial plants might be used successfully in the sunny, dry spot. These include day lily and German iris. Daylily varieties can be selected for bloom over several months in the summer. If space allows, some iris may be used near or among them to provide color earlier in the season. Both are helpful in controlling erosion on a bank. For temporary summer color, a few flowering annuals might even be planted in a poor spot.

Among the most likely to succeed are rose moss (portulaca), celosia and marigold. Rose moss forms a low ground cover with attractive flowers during the mornings. Marigolds of the dwarf French types are more likely to survive drought than the taller types "Vines roses," or flowering periwinkle, spider plant (cleome) and sweet alyssum may also be used. Although these plants are able to withstand considerable drying, water them after planting if at all possible to help them get established when rainfall is low.

Russell's Soil Conditions and Plant Growth, by Alan Wild.