Plants for rocky soil

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

This is a new one on me, never had to deal with rocky soil before. Have an area behind the barn that is very poor, rocky soil. It's almost like some type of structure or gravel area by the back door of the barn was there before because it's mostly large pieces of gravel or maybe those small landscaping rocks or something. I was going to plant fruit trees there but that idea got scrapped after DH tilled and realized how bad the soil is so we decided to plant the trees elsewhere in the pasture (beautiful friable, well-draining soil - a pleasure to work with).

I think DH is just going to scatter some grass seed over the large area he tilled - because if he doesn't every pasture weed is going to take up residence, even if only some of the grass seed takes I'll be happy. But, I thought maybe a few plants close to the barn might look nice -- not a lot, just a small scattering. I'm willing to amend a small area but it's still going to be cr*ppy rocky soil, so what will do well there?

I'm thinking lavender, sage (herb), perovskia - ? What else? Any woodies (trees or shrubs) that tolerate this type of condition?

ETA: Full, hot sun - sunup to sundown sun with heat reflected off the barn.

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Comments (7)

deanna in ME Barely zone 6a, more like 5b
5 years ago
Penstemon might be good. I have lavender in a raised bed area with normal soil and spread pea gravel over the top. I swear, the lavender LOVES this bed, and it is usually short-lived here. I think the pea gravel keep the crowns from rotting and allows for good draining.
JoJo (Nevada 9A)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Penstemons would do great!

Also -- gaura, agastache/hyssop (Apache Sunset is lovely), dwarf cosmos and short ornamental grasses.

I grow penstemons in gravel among succulents, so they can take it!
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bengz6westmd
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Yuccas. Sedums.
peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi - Bearberry and perhaps Erica carnea & some Saxifraga.
diggerdee zone 6 CT
5 years ago
Yes, agree, sedums and lavender and agastache. Oh my, lol. And pervovskia and maybe achillea?

I wonder if knautia macedonica might work. I have some in a VERY neglected spot and while it's probably not as dry and rocky as your soil, it is quite dry, in full, hot afternoon sun and gets no supplemental water and does well. As a matter of fact I always think I should move them but maybe now that I think of it I should leave them be - if it ain't broke, don't move it! They have a small bloom but they're so airy and delicate and I really enjoy them. About the only time I go over to that neglected bed is when they are in bloom!

Also, maybe heliopsis helianthoides. Or is it helianthus tuberosus? I always mix those up and forget which one does well in dry soil....

:)

Dee
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
recalling your gorgeous cement floored barn.. i wonder if this was floor construction related .. or maybe a previous barn ...

on the side of a mountain its called scree .... i seem to recall its called the same thing at the gravel place ...

all it is is what might be called sharp drainage ... mixed with soil ... i dont see how you are much limited at all .. except when you get to the water loving end of the plant spectrum ...

and in fact.. i wonder if it might not be a great place to plant trees ...

in terms of glacial MI ... i wouldn't expect some random corner of your 5 acres to be so divergent ... without the intervention of man .... lol.. or woman ...

ken
porkchop_z5b_MI
Original Author
5 years ago
Keep the recs coming! Thanks to all who have responded already :0)