About Emma Dutch Expertise I am finishing my horticulture degree, in the final year. My thesis is about the history and restoration of rock gardens but I am willing to answer any horticulture question as best I can.
Question Hi, Emma~
I live in Columbus, Ohio, and I have a small yard, part of which has become a rock garden, almost unintentionally! But,it is working out wonderfully. I intend to add a water feature. My problem is, my neighbors cut down two BIG trees, so now I am left with LOTS of hot sunshine. I had to dig up my hostas, and several others plants surrendered to the heat. I have a new color scheme going of greens, white and yellow, in full sun. What would you suggest as a low ground cover that will drape nicely over my one-brick-high border? Also, what would you suggest I plant around my sunken-tub water garden (half sun/shade)?
Thanks so much for your help, Bonnie
Answer Hi Bonnie,
Thats a shame you had to dig up those hostas, maybe you could put them around the sunken tub water garden, in the shadey areas?
The plant that springs to mind for your border is Alyssum. They come in yellow, white and purple, so they should fit right in. They aren't exactly trailing plants, but they will drape over a brick border nicely. You might also like to plant lobelia, they are generally purples, pinks, blues and whites, but the white plants should look pretty. Most varieties are trailing and so might look pretty planted alternately with the Alyssum.
As for the water garden I think that Cypress plants should do well around the edge, so long as it is damp. They are tall plants that look a little like upside down umbrellas. You might also like to try planting a small bamboo. If you select a variety that grows shorter than the cypress and plant the cypress in amongst the bamboo the 'umbrellas' of the cypress will stand out over the top of it. These two plants would complement each other with spikey leaves pointing in different directions. also the cypress are deep green whereas the bamboo come in a range of greens and yellows for contrast. If you can plant hostas around the tub too, this will provide a range of height in the plants, and I would recommend planting another plant with large leaves such as Berginia. These leaves are oval in shape, evergreen and glossy, and are quite droopy growing closer to the ground than the hostas.
A few years ago I had the pleasure of spending the fourth of July holiday in Columbus on a family holiday (I am from the U.K), I hope someday to return again, a great city with great 4th of July fireworks :-)
I hope I've been of some help to you with these suggestions, and if you have any more questions please come right back. And my apologies for the delay in replying to you this time, college has been a little hectic this week :-)
Thank you very much for your question,
Good luck and best wishes,
Emma
