What follows are four concept designs for an exterior wall in the City of Meridian. Client specified plantings with shallow root systems and drought tolerance.
Plantings for the First Concept Design: Skyrocket Juniper has a shallow root system. The places where Rocky Mountain junipers grow in the wild are craggy cliffs, and they are able to fill in rocky spots where deep roots can’t penetrate.
The Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a hardy shrub that is easy to grow and maintain. It prefers full sun to partial shade and can withstand various soil types and pH levels but will do better in extremely dry or alkaline soil (our Idaho soil). A notable characteristic of the Red Osier Dogwood is its winter interest. The bright red stems stand out against the snow and provide a splash of color in an otherwise dreary winter landscape. Additionally, the shrub produces clusters of white flowers in the spring and small white berries in the summer, which are a food source for birds.
Lydia Broom (Genista lydia) prefers full sun in well-drained sandy alkaline soil and tolerates poor soil, drought, and heat. It also fixes nitrogen which is good for the plants surrounding it. Works very well in a drought-tolerant garden or xeriscape application.
Blue Salvia (Salvia nemorosa) has stunning blue floral spikes that stand at attention attracting butterflies all summer long. This plant is a drought-tolerant sun lover and has a compact habit and even deters pests. It grows very well with very little maintenance.
Plantings for the Second Concept Design: Retained the Skyrocket Juniper, Salvia, and Lydia Broom. Removed Red Osier Dogwood and added the following:
Mugo Pines are very low maintenance. This evergreen shrub is very hardy and rarely encounters issues with pests and disease. It is salt and pollution tolerant, and once established these tree-shrubs are drought tolerant. Sky Pencil Holly does not have an invasive root system. It is a great vertical accent plant that can grow tall in small spaces and foundation plantings. Because its root system is not known to be a problem it is planted many times as a corner planting around foundations and as a screen along patios and walkways. Should have full sun for best appearance and vigorous growth.
The Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus) loves sunlight and can adapt to most soil types (except for soggy soil with poor drainage) but prefers average soil with a moderate moisture level. It also favors a slightly acidic soil pH but will grow in alkaline or neutral soil, as well. Burning Bush is a drought-tolerant plant once established and generally has low-to-moderate watering needs.
There are few pest and disease problems with blue fescue. It thrives in full sunlight; it tolerates part-shade but will not flower as well in it, and the foliage tends toward green instead of slate-blue. The more sun this ornamental grass receives, the more likely it is to achieve its famous blue-gray hue. Mature plants can withstand drought conditions and will have average moisture needs.
Plantings for the Third Concept Design: Retained the Skyrocket Juniper, Sky Pencil Holly, Salvia, Mugo Pines and Lydia Broom. Removed Burning Bush and added the following:
Idaho’s State Flower, White Syringa (Philadelphus lewisii) is an attractive wildflower that turns Idaho hillsides a snowy white in late springtime with its great clusters of flowers. It gets its common name from the delicious orangey scent that makes it attractive to bees and humans alike. It flowers in May/June with white blossoms, then after the petals fall, the sepals remain in a way that looks like a second, different type of flower, providing some longer seasonal interest.
Easy-growing Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana) is the ideal landscape solution for borders, containers, garden beds and more. It’s perfect for adding height, texture and movement, wherever it’s planted. And it thrives in a variety of climates.
Plantings for the Fourth Concept Design: Retained the Skyrocket Juniper, Sky Pencil Holly, Salvia, Mugo Pines and Lydia Broom. Removed Pampas grass.
