Suggestions For Drought Tolerant And Rodent Replelling Garden Ideas

Question

Our local librarian is looking for low-growing, drought tolerant, full sun all day long, Zone 10 plants. And plants that do not attract rodents or too many bees (worried (many unnecessarily about them stinging child patrons)). The planter box dimensions are 20 ft x 2 1/2 ft of hard ground in the box. I have attached photos of the evergreen shrubs in the planter box until they were cut down with a chain saw. The roots remain. Any ideas would be appreciated.

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Answer 1

The roots will need to be removed and the soil either replaced or amendments added such as compost or coco peat to make it workable. To help deter rodents, choose plants that will not be hedged, making the container less hospitable as a hiding place. For plants that are less desirable to bees, choose evergreen plants or plants that bloom red (studies show they don't see red in the color spectrum). However, flowers are designed to attract bees so the flowers can reproduce, making most flowers desirable to bees, either by color, scent, or pollen/nectar.

Here are some ideas for your zone:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-9-10-11/choosing-shrubs-for-zone-9.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-9-10-11/zone-9-hedges.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-9-10-11/plants-zones-9-11.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/improving-compacted-soil.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/peat-moss-alternatives.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/mice-in-garden-mulch.htm