As an Eagle Scout Project, my son is clearing a hillside by out church/school. We are looking to plant a low maintenance ground cover. We originally planned on planting ivy, but the hillside is in the sun 60-70% of the day, and ivy is recommended more for shady areas. Would periwinkle be a good choice? And if so, is it too late in the year to plant it? It is the end of August, and we live in Zone 6. If it is too late, does anyone have a suggestion for something else that we could plant? The hillside covers an are of about 160 feet by 40 feet (the 40 feet is the length of the slope).
Periwinkle actually does better in shade, but it may survive in sun. There are some ground covers that are great choices for sunny slopes; here are some examples:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/thyme/growing-creeping-thyme.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/groundcover/creeping-phlox/creeping-phlox-planting.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/deadnettle/growing-spotted-deadnettle.htm
See the final section in this article for more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/xeriscape/drought-tolerant-ground-covers.htm
We previously had a large magnolia tree in the center of our circular driveway. Over time, the roots grew so much that they lifted and cracked the driveway. We have now removed the tree and had the driveway repaired; however, we now have a bare 30-foot-across bare spot in the middle of the driveway. We live in Virginia Beach-- what kind of tree would be decorative for the center of this area, but will not impact the driveway?
This article has a list of trees that should work in situations like your:
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-028/430-028.html
Also, for most trees the size of the root system is related to the size of the tree, so most dwarf varieties and other trees and shrubs which are quite small at maturity will have smaller, less damaging root systems.
Bonnie L. Grant wrote an article about a succulent plant originating from China that I have been looking for now for a while called the Gentiana urnula. By any chance, does this website or she have one for sale or know where to get one? Thanks :)
We do not sell from the Gardening Know How web site.
I would do a Google search for the succulent you are seeking to purchase.
With the large interest in succulents you should be able to find a source for this plant that can ship to you.
Ebay is a good place to search for more unusual plants, just make sure you check the sellers ratings before purchasing.
We can't stand our neighbors and need a fast growing privacy plant option. It's a small space along a wrought iron fence with only about a foot of planting area that spans the length of the fence. The fence is about 15 feet long and only 3.5 feet tall. We're in Southern California on a lake and the area gets mostly shade with minimal afternoon sun exposure. Please help! I'd like something that lasts throughout the year and at maturity reaches about 4-6 feet. Ideas?
I have listed several articles for you with some help and possible plantings.
You may want to consider some Dwarf Conifers, as they will offer year round interest.
Visit some local garden centers for more ideas.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/spaces/creative-screening-with-plants-good-borders-make-good-neighbors.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/shgen/shade-loving-shrubs.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/switchgrass/growing-switchgrass.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/rubber-tree/rubber-plant-outdoors.htm
http://migarden.msu.edu/uploads/files/top_choices_tough_places.pdf
I need an ornamental grass that would be safe to plant in a septic line field to serve as a screen from my neighbor.
This article has a list of ornamental grasses that are safe for septic fields:
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/other/landscaping/hgic1726.html
Many of these grasses have their own articles at Gardening Know How which you can reference for more information. Switchgrass grows particularly tall and thick.
I have several spaces at the back of my beds and would like to plant out some shrubs which would eventually grow to a height of 6-8 ft. I would prefer something with color and possibly fragrant too. What would withstand the winter?
To find out what will survive the winter in your location, first look up your gardening zone in the following article and map:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/planting-zones/usda-planting-zone-map.htm
Each plant species and variety is rated for winter hardiness in certain gardening zones. You can find this information on Gardening Know How, other websites, or at garden centers. Here is more about gardening or planting zones:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/the-importance-of-regional-gardening-zones.htm
Here are a couple of ideas for colorful shrubs:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/photinia/pruning-photinia-shrubs.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/growing-holly-bushes.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/burning-bush/burning-bush-care.htm
i live in the United Kingdom
My neighbors have a big tree that gets aphids every summer. They have no interest in spraying or working to remove the aphids. My neighbors and I both have a parking strip below this tree, and the honeydew from the aphids drips down onto the plants below. I had a hydrangea planted there, and the honeydew turned the flowers an ugly gray. I'd like to plant something underneath that won't be wrecked or look awful with the consequences of the aphids. I'm thinking succulents? Perhaps something that has foliage year-round but doesn't flower? (The leaves of the hydrangea look ok with the sticky honeydew; the flowers suffered the most.) Do you have any suggestions?
Succulents might work, but I'm not sure whether the honeydew would make them look unsightly as well.
There are plenty of options for foliage plants without showy flowers. Those with small leaves, leaves with several colors on the same plant, or variegated leaves might help hide the honeydew effects a bit more. Something like this:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/photinia/growing-red-tip-photinia.htm
Alternatively, maybe you could focus on plants that are at their peak or that flower during the spring and fall when the honeydew is less of a problem.