It's difficult not to notice the lush greenery and vibrant blossoms in the yards and gardens throughout town now that summer is in full force. Think again if you've ever believed that Plant exterior for home is not convenient for your yard, which is too dry, too shaded, or that the soil is too sandy to support such lovely flora.
In fact, these typical issues could even encourage you to choose plants that are more imaginative. We've identified 15 lovely plants that will flourish in even the least plant-friendly environments, according to the advice and maintenance techniques of a handful of plant experts. In addition to thriving in sandy soil, fragrant, blossoming dianthus will also adorn your backyard with color and a wonderful, somewhat spicy aroma. Avoid using grass in your shaded yard and instead cover the ground with common oak sedge to give the space a more interesting texture.
There's no reason to let a dry, low-light area prevent you from constructing a show-stopping backyard when these tough plants are easily accessible at nurseries and garden retailers.
Outdoor Plants to Improve the Curb Appeal of Your Home
Favorable for: Shaded Backyards
Finding appealing plants that will flourish in the shadows can be difficult if your backyard doesn't receive much sun during the day.
The crew is experienced in choosing plants that would thrive in actual backyards because they supply houseplants and garden plants to merchants and garden shops across the nation.Ajuga is the plant that thrives in shade at the top of the list. "If you want to add color and reduce upkeep in shaded sections of your landscape, this weed-smothering groundcover is a terrific choice." "It provides gorgeous blue-purple flower spikes in the spring, followed by a mat of thick foliage for the remainder of the gardening season," Hancock declares. Choose variegated plants to add more visual appeal, such as "Burgundy Glow," which has leaves that are pink and silver in color.
Ajuga can also be planted once and enjoyed for many years because it grows every year.
Shaded Backyards
The large, gorgeous leaves of caladium can "bring a hint of the tropics to your shady backyard," Hancock advises. Because you can easily find this plant's arrowhead-shaped leaves in red, pink, and white hues, you may match it to the other plants in your yard.
Which color suits Costa Farm best? Hancock claims that the white variety is especially entertaining in the shade because they appear to shine, especially around dusk.
Caladium can be grown as an annual and left in the ground all year long, or it can be dug out and stored for the winter in a cool location.
The Persian shield
The Persian shield is the perfect plant if you're looking for something that will grow successfully in any environment—north or south, sun or shade, garden bed or container—in any climate.
This vibrant, green plant is not only hardy, but it also stands out in the garden. The metallic-purple foliage of this tropical plant is something we enjoy; it certainly stands out on its own or when combined with other plants, according to Hancock. Consider this tropical plant an annual; if you're feeling daring, Hancock suggests taking it inside for the winter and maintaining it in a sunny area.
The oakleaf hydrangea
These plants are likely to flourish even when tucked away in the darkest area of your yard or behind a conifer. The oakleaf hydrangea was one lowlight selection at the top of Burns' list. This shrub has major curb appeal for the front yard because of its striking, textured leaves and substantial cone-shaped blooms.
When many other shrubs aren't blossoming, Burns says, "These bushes only started blooming about two weeks ago, in mid-June, and they bloom deep into the summer." Choose an oakleaf hydrangea to get blooms all season long.
Hostas
The hosta is one of the few plants that will be content to live in a backyard that is both shady and dry. A bunch of hostas can help fill the area in a low-light garden because they get up to around 16 inches tall and 30 inches broad.
In actuality, the majority of hostas enjoy some shade, and the darker the plant, the more likely it is to survive in a dark setting. Burns advises using the "First Frost" hosta type, which has attractive variegated leaves and pale lavender flowers, when planting in deep shade.
Garden beds
For a shady setting, Burns asserts that this is a fantastic substitute for grass. This free-growing ground cover resembles a plush garden carpet. Once planted, it will cover the entire yard, filling in any gaps without suffocating the native vegetation. You won't need to worry too much about it because, according to Burns, "it offers a softer texture and will spread out and blend with the other plants." Pair this shade-loving plant with a low-light flowering choice, like hellebore, to add a splash of color to the otherwise rich green environment.
Backyards in Drought-Prone Areas
It can be just as challenging to choose plants that will thrive in a bright, dry part of your yard as it is to discover kinds that can withstand the shade. The agave, a low-water succulent that stands out wherever it is planted, is one of Hancock's top recommendations for a drought-prone environment.
"There are many different options available." "The variegated varieties that add an additional pop of color are among our favorites," he offers. To increase visual interest, look for two-tone leaves with unique colorings, such as ones with yellow edges and deep green centers.
How to Select a Plant for Each Room in Your Home?
"Do you think all cacti have spines?" Rethink that!" Hancock encourages us to reevaluate our preconceived notions about these drought-tolerant plants. "The desert rose has gorgeous, showy blooms and a sturdy, squat stem that gives it a bonsai-like appearance.
"Even during droughts, you don't need to water it because its trunk holds water," he claims. Pair this floral plant with cacti or more traditional prickly succulents to create an interior container garden or outdoor planting that will withstand even the hottest summer. In northern climates, grow desert rose as an annual; in areas without frost, grow it as a perennial.