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sybelle_gw

Curb planting suggestions anyone?

sybelle
20 years ago

The city of Savannah decided to put in a sidewalk. This left us with a bare patch of dirt by the curb which has filled in with weeds, moss, and the stray grass. Hubby and I keep coming up with ideas on what to plant other than grass and keep discarding the ideas.

The challenge:

1- It is of course, by the street with constant traffic.

2- It is the dryest part of our yard

3- When it rains this is where the runoff goes to, so, it can get a whole lot of water all at once

4- Whatever we plant has to be short since a tall plant will interfere with line of sight for our cars to back into the street

5- We "neglect" the front yard. Most of our efforts go to the back yard since this is where we spend most of our time

6- I am sick of Liriope. I spend more time "weeding" it out than taking out any weed in our yard.

7- We are on a mission to get rid of our lawn, so, no new grass planting allowed.

8- We live in Savannah and our soil is either sand or clay and gets mold, mildew, or moss making the top impermeable at times.

Ideas anyone?

Comments (11)

  • PeaBee4
    20 years ago

    Sun or shade? Either way, think about that low growing yellow lantana that's everywhere. It will grow with no additional water at all and when it does rain, won't mind being swamped for a while. The traffic won't bother it either.

    Ajuga would do nicely if it's sort of shady.

  • ankraras
    20 years ago

    In addition to the above suggestion, I think some thing small that can thrive on it's own like a succulent may be in order. Sedum comes to mind as one that may work, many mini varieties that grow very low so will not obstruct the view of traffic. I read that the genus ranges from frost tender to frost hardy. Bold to beautiful. A few are tall yet many are small and delightful.


    Ankrara's Hobby Corner

  • Jeanni
    20 years ago

    If it's a sunny area, for something really low growing, but spreading, try portulaca aka moss rose. Great drought tolerant plant that blooms all the time and reseeds itself readily.

    Jeanni

  • pagan
    20 years ago

    I was going to suggest moss roses! I had some volunteer in my yard and I love it! great low-maintenance stuff... (how does one spell maintenance anyway??)

  • savannarose
    20 years ago

    Can anyone suggest a sedum that grows well in Savannah?

  • citrusman99
    20 years ago

    Asian Jasmine!

  • LkMaryMorninGloree
    20 years ago

    I have some Portulaca and it grows great, just to break up the "mass", I have some society garlic, it has stalks with pretty purple flowers on it. Among that, you can plant some Coleus, they are easy to control too. I see alot of people planting Coleus aroung mail boxes, etc... They don't need a lot of care, although you might need to sprinkle them with a little water if it gets too dry.

  • gardninlady
    20 years ago

    I have a mailbox garden like what you describe, and I have daylilies, crocosmia, achillea, Milkweed, Kniphofia and brown-eyed susan vines. Very low maintenance. I hardly ever do anything out there and it always looks great!

  • trudyjean82
    20 years ago

    Moss verbena should do good there as well. It will grow in the cracks of asphalt and concrete. Doesn't like to be watered and blooms profusely if neglected. But a flood of water won't effect it either. Perfers sun but shade won't bother it. Doesn't mind foot traffic and grows low so a site problem wouldn't be an issue.

  • drasaid
    20 years ago

    Heck, I have it filling about an 18 X 4' area of CONCRETE. It grows out of a half-inch crack where I jammed a stem of it some months ago; I stuck some good soil in after it and since then it has survived on canine effluence and air plus runoff from my other plants. Inexplicably, one I had in a pot formed several tubers and inside the tubers (one broke when I pulle it out of the pot) was WHITE. So you have a black-purple leaf and a white tuber.
    But it does not die (at least in Zone 9.)

  • fennelgrl
    18 years ago

    What did you decide on and how did it work out?
    I'm planning my own curb planting now.