Asked on Mar 23, 2014

Dry, hot front yard. Need greenery!

Mary Seroski
by Mary Seroski
I have a small front yard that gets lots of sun but is very dry, hot, and I would like lots of green cool plants in it. Low maintenance as I'm disabled. Any ideas? I do have a large tree in the middle.
  6 answers
  • Carole Carole on Mar 23, 2014
    Cacti and succulents. Once planted in well draining soil they need very little by way of watering or maintenance. The main thing that may damage them is torrential and persistent rains which can cause them to rot if they don't have good drainage. Or extreme cold which can freeze the water that the plants hold, causing them to expand and split. Colours range from pale grey/blues/soft greens/lime greens/bronze and black and purple colours and of course some of the flowers are very colourful - reds, pinks, yellows etc.
  • Kathy Piecek Kathy Piecek on Mar 23, 2014
    Carol has the right idea for sure! I would add some Agaves and some ornamental grasses.. could have some pretty Bromeliads around the big tree. You would have a beautiful, low maintenance yard for sure!!!!
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Mar 24, 2014
    Check out the suggestions of xeriscape plants from United Water in Boise here: http://www.unitedwater.com/idaho/xeriscape.aspx They also have a demonstration garden at their office that you might be able to check out for further inspiration.
    • Mary Seroski Mary Seroski on Mar 28, 2014
      @Douglas Hunt UW still talks about lots of maintenance and weeding etc. Can't do it. Those are pretty flowers though. Seems I do have some flowers growing near the house. Lavender does sound nice. Got lots of those seeds.
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Mar 24, 2014
    How about Yucca 'Color Guard'?
  • Darwin Darwin on Mar 24, 2014
    Doug has the right idea, also check with your county extension office. Grasses are low maintenance.
  • Linda Snyder Linda Snyder on Mar 24, 2014
    Lavender, any grasses, Black-eyed Susans are a good start. Very low maint. and they can handle the heat and dry once established.