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Plants for Difficult Places

Small , hot space needing plants

15 years ago

Between my asphalt driveway and my house is a small strip of bare soil about 12 feet long and 18 inches wide. I'm in Zone 7 and this is on the north side of the house, gets sun 95% of the day, and in the summer is a scorching hot place for any plant. Right now the summer weeds like it.

Its a couple inches lower than the driveway so I'm thinking of building it up a bit and put maybe a 6-8 inch high retaining wall type of configuration. Then I have to decide what to plant there. Something a maximum of 2 feet tall or under with a root system that can deal with such a small space. Preferably a perennial.

Any ideas? Thanks!

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Comments (3)

petzold6596
15 years ago
The 18 inch width is your limiting factor. Since its next to the driveway it will get walked on from time to time so you need something tough. I suggest hens and chicks. There are many varieties available now so you can plant several in that space.
go2gym
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks. Actually it won't be walked on at all. Its a small strip between driveway and house, not in a walking zone.
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sweet_betsy No AL Z7
15 years ago
None of these are perennials in my Zone 7; however, they are
the most drought-tolerant plants that I have tried in hot, scorching spots like yours--globe amaranth, pentas and periwinkle.

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