The Right-Size Flower Garden. Kerry Ann Mendez
pretty fast growing, typically averaging 8" of height a year. It does best in well-drained soil and hates wet feet. Put away the pruners for this virtually maintenance-free evergreen.
Additional narrow evergreen choices: columnar Hetz juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Hetzii Columnaris’), slender hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Gracilis’), columnar Japanese plum yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Fastigiata’)
Eco-friendly bamboo fence from Cali Bamboo.
Fencing. If fencing is your preferred partition, then composite, wood and vinyl are most often used, but bamboo is catching on quickly. Bamboo is an environmentally sustainable resource that can last twice as long as cedar and it’s also termite resistant. Steel, aluminum and chain link usually don’t provide the level of privacy desired and barbed wire and electric fences are downright nasty. If possible, go with a structural style that allows some airflow and light. Semi-privacy fences still block the view but the boards are set slightly farther apart. Shadowbox fences (also called board-on-board) are another choice with alternating boards on both sides of the fence creating open-air shafts. Wood, composite or vinyl can be used with both of these configurations. Finally, don’t make the same mistake I did. I thought I knew where my property line was located and I was wrong. Very wrong! Let’s just say I had to do some “double digging” for a 140' fence. Be sure to contact the utility company to make sure no lines will be compromised while digging and check with your municipal office or residential association for any fencing regulations (i.e., height restrictions, setbacks from roads and/or property lines).
I loved this hilarious fence of recycled downhill skis on Martha’s Vineyard!
Sedum ‘Maestro’
Floral wall tapestries can be colorful problem solvers for those seeking outdoor privacy in condominiums and townhouses. These can be easily made by securing lattice to a planter box or buying pre-made trellis planters. Plant colorful annual vines or climbing veggies at the base of the lattice and let the scrambling artwork begin. You can even place these nifty screens on wheels to relocate them as needed.
Soaring water bills and watering restrictions have caused many to rethink their landscape. Parched plants gasping for daily gulps need to find a new home. If you’re not willing to part with these water hogs, then at least group them together in an area close to a water source. Or pot them in containers that allow for more efficient hydrating. No more dragging hoses to Timbuktu. I’ve also made it a habit to place drought tolerant plants in the deepest part of garden beds where irrigation may not reach; at the top of slopes where water drains away quickly; and in spots where competition from tree and shrub roots play havoc.
Dianthus ‘Raspberry Swirl’ – colorful and drought tolerant.
Drought Tolerant Perennials for Sun to Part Sun
CATMINT
Nepeta
Zones 3 – 8 ♦ Sun to Part Sun
8" – 36" tall
Early summer flowers, repeat bloomer: lavender, blue, white
Attributes: Drought tolerant, deer and rabbit resistant, fragrant, cut flower, container plant, no deadheading required, enjoyed by butterflies, hummingbirds and bees Many of us have a fascination with growing lavender. The thought of inhaling wafts of calming lavender tickles our fancy. If you live in zones 5 or colder, get over it. Lavender typically appears pretty ratty when, or if, it makes it through these winters. Better to plant catmint instead. It resembles lavender and can smell like it too when planted along with lavender dryer sheets. ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint has tried my patience with its floppy habit. Compact cultivars that grow under 18" include ‘Little Trudy’, ‘Little Titch’, ‘Cat’s Meow’ (pictured above), ‘Purrsian Blue’ and ‘Blue Wonder’. Shear back the first round of blooms after they “purr-ter out” for a second “purr-fect” show. Tuck in a fresh dryer sheet while you’re at it.
REPEAT BLOOMING DAYLILY
Hemerocallis
Zones 3 – 9 ♦ Sun to Part Sun
14" – 36"+ tall
Flowers: all colors except blue
Attributes: Drought tolerant, rabbit resistant, some fragrant varieties, container plant, salt tolerant, enjoyed by hummingbirds and butterflies, tolerates wet soil, can be planted under black walnut trees
Before reading on, if deer are relentless in your neighborhood, then kindly skip to the next flower. Daylilies are chocolate bon-bons to these brown-eyed belles. Repeat blooming daylilies bring repeat smiles. ‘Stella D’Oro’ was the original trendsetter in this category. Frankly, there are now far better choices for consistent bloom and showy flowers. ‘Pewter Pink’ (pictured above) is a new daylily that’s turning noses. Many horticulturalists claim this is the most fragrant daylily yet. This silvery pink beauty grows to 24" with blooms that can reach 7" across! ‘Early Bird Red’ has set a new flower bar record with its ability to produce three rounds (sometimes four) of bud-laden scapes (stems). ‘Early Bird Orange’ has similar bragging rights. Other repeat blooming eye-pleasers are ‘Custard Candy’ (creamy yellow with burgundy watermark), ‘Going Bananas’ (soft yellow), and ‘Baja’ (red).
TICKSEED
Coreopsis verticillata and crosses
Zones 4 – 9 ♦ Sun
12" – 28" tall
Early summer and summer flowers, some repeat bloomers: yellow, pink, white, red, salmon, bicolor
Attributes: Drought tolerant, deer resistant, cut flower, container plant, no deadheading required, enjoyed by butterflies
Move aside, broad-leaved tickseeds (Coreopsis grandiflora); I’m fed up with constantly deadheading flowers atop long wiry stems, as well as its short-lived habit. Another member of your family, thread-leaved tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata), gets my vote. These come in a wide assortment of flower colors (not just yellow) and require zippo deadheading. ‘Moonbeam’(soft yellow) is a long-time favorite. Other “trialed” and true picks of mine include ‘Mercury Rising’ (red), ‘Route 66’ (yellow and red), and ‘Redshift’ (creamy yellow with a burgundy center). ‘Zagreb’ and ‘Golden Showers’ are way too fast-spreading for my taste. (Pictured above: ‘Mercury Rising’.)
YARROW
Achillea
Zones 3 – 8 ♦ Sun
18" – 24" tall