High heat plants / flowers / grass?

16 years ago

I didn't see a forum dedicated to high heat / lots of sun / shallow soil so I thought it may go here. I am looking for something to plant in the front of my house. We just moved here about a year ago, and the foundation of the house comes out a foot to two feet past the front of the house. So there isn't that much soil depth. So I am needing something that will grow there. The requirements would be it has to grow in shallow soil, high heat (it'll be in the sun from 11ish to sunset), and lots of sunlight. The house gets really hot on that side because of the way it is sitting, so it's got to be something seriously stout to take that heat... right now out by the mailbox we have vinca planted there, and it seems to grow good. But the front of my house is about 30-40 ft wide, and I'm looking to try and find something that'll be pretty cover a good bit of ground, and live. Thank you guys so much for the help, it's greatly appreciated.

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Comments (3)

User
16 years ago
Try the Arizona forum ... we're used to dealing with 110+ and no rain.

When you say "we just moved here", please let us know exactly where "here" is.
fivemurfs
16 years ago
I'm guessing you are in Alabama.

Before you plant anything you should drive around the area and see what other people have planted that looks well established. Then go to a local landscape nursery and ask for native drought tolerant, heat tolerant, and sun tolerant plant recommendations. The key word is native. You want to make sure the plants you decide on will grow for you without a lot of fuss.

If you plant any kind of perennials you will have to dedicate the first year to watering them regularly. There is just no way around it. After the first year, if you make the right selections they will probably not need to be watered.

If you have a little width to your beds Burford and other Holly varieties can take the heat on a south facing brick foundation.

There are lots of pretty native grasses that might work for you. Sedum is not very showy but it will take the heat and there are plenty of beautiful varieties. So will Yucca and Cactus. All are great rock garden selections. There are some perennials that seem to do well everywhere, like Day Lilies, Bee Balm, Cone Flower, etc. Herbs like Rosemary and Sage might work for you.
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User
16 years ago
You might check out the forum Xeriscaping (dedicated to low water use plants--of various climate zones), also maybe of the regional sites (Californina, Texas, etc.), and of course the cacti and succulent site and this fine site on dealing with drought.

Here's what I use on my hot, dry, and sunny side of the house:

Hardy Opuntia cacti (nice yellow flowers in June--but watch those prickly thorn--and they will form a spreading ground cover in time--just not for walking on bare-footed)

Yuccas (filamentosa, recurvifolia, rostrata, any others...)

HERBS, HERBS, HERBS... (Rosemary, Lavender, Sage, Oregano, Thymne, Chamomile)

Delosperma (Hardy Ice Plant)
Portulaca
Marigolds
Zinnias
Dusty millers
Ornamental Grasses
Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks)
Grape vines (love heat and drough!)

Dwarf Yaopon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)

Cone flowers, black eye-Susans, and even dwarf sun flowers.

I don't know what your house is like, but things like house color can help cool down the temps. I painted by foundation masonry white to reflect the heat and it makes a BIG difference. Also, please mulch whatever you do end up planting--it will help greatly. Good luck.