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| I've been hemming and hawing over a garden area. It is a rectangle which can get full AM sun and then get shadier or part-shady. It is near windows so I did want some spikey stuff, but also interested in edibles and natives.
The back (which is window side) currently has mahonia. Not native....but spikey. The middle is a large hearts a bustin'...the edge has the native little blueberry...I am going to add a few opuntia for spines and for fruit...but am considering a grass to work in between sizing of low blueberry and opuntia. Muhly is an option...are there any others (native, non-invasive, can handle clay, moist or dry...) - I am worried muhly might be same height as opuntia... Thanks,
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Follow-Up Postings:
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| I really have not gotten into native grasses, but here is a good article on it from Pennsylvania. Also, here an overview of warm season native grasses on the GNPS website with some resources listed at the bottom. |
Here is a link that might be useful: GNPS
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- Posted by girlgroupgirl 8 Atlanta (My Page) on Fri, Apr 24, 09 at 10:08
| OK, then any lower growing shrubs? Not the other evergreen blueberry, please. I will use that elsewhere. I'm looking for something without dusty grey or blue foliage because these plants will be layered together.... I also need an evergreen groundcover that can take chunks of clay mixed with compost. It's not a very pretty mix of soil in that area, but I've done my best. It's red clay mixed with Kaolin clay and county compost..... GGG |
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| In regards to groundcovers, both Green N Gold (Chrysogonum virginianum) and Mouse eared Coreopsis (Coreopsis auriculata 'Nana') are tough and at least semi-evergreen if not fully. Last year, both were available in Home Depot as quart/pint perennials. For low growing shrub, look into Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low' , but it is not evergreen. |
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- Posted by girlgroupgirl 8 Atlanta (My Page) on Fri, Apr 24, 09 at 12:32
| Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low' would be fantastical but way too large. I think I'll use it on slopes though! I love it!! I already have the two others you mentioned.... (not trying to be hard on 'ya esh....it's just I want something new and different than I have in this spot!!). |
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| Hey, I am not offended - I'm glad to hear you already have those. Given that you have morning sun but afternoon shade, here are some other groundcover suggestions. |
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- Posted by girlgroupgirl 8 Atlanta (My Page) on Fri, Apr 24, 09 at 15:26
| Esh, I just don't wanna be too hard on your brain!! I have ordered a few more native plant books. I have the Foote book but I find it difficult because it lists just about everything, garden "worthy" (for a city garden, that is) or not. I like the idea of the lyrata sage. I have it in quite a few places, and I don't have purple in this area anywhere and could sure use it. Plus, this is care free as it multiplies on it's own! That is a good article. I would like to grow pussytoes. I've tried a few of the other things listed in this good article, and they did not sruvive for me....galax, pussytoes, partridgeberry - what do they really like? I thought I had found great places for them, but I guess not. GGG |
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| I think the article describes what they like. I have pussytoes naturally - an especially happy patch along a path behind the house, nothing special. Galax is often found on a slope, but I have transplanted it to other places and it is happy there too. Patridgeberry seems like it a little moist. The thing about native plants, you can't be too nice to them or you'll kill them with kindness! A great book on native grasses (and ferns and mosses) is the relatively new one by Cullina. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Link to book
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- Posted by satellitehead z7 ATL Metro (My Page) on Sat, Apr 25, 09 at 22:54
| I have sea oats and enjoy them. But..... Perennial |
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