Coreopsis courtesy Terra Nova Nurseries
Not all of us have green thumbs—or the desire to spend weekends tending to our landscape, especially if that outdoor space is at a vacation home where time is a valuable commodity. However, you’d be hard-pressed to find a homeowner who didn’t value the appearance of a garden, whether it’s to add to the enjoyment of entertaining al fresco or to simply boost curb appeal.
Fortunately, there are many trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials that can withstand a reasonable amount of neglect and adverse conditions—from tolerating periods of dryness to thriving in sandy soil conditions and intense sunlight.So when it comes time to find bullet-proof plants that stand up well to both drought and heavy rain, high heat and deep freeze, knowledge is key—and that means finding plants that can weather the elements without too much intervention on your part.
Pick the Right Plants
“Choose native plants because they’re more likely to handle the climate changes,” says Orion Taylor, department manager for outdoor plants at Behnke Nurseries in Potomac, Maryland. This is especially vital if that second home is at the beach, where weather conditions can be extreme, from cold and windy to hot and arid. While planting natives is one way to help ensure that your landscape may survive the extreme fluctuations in temperature and moisture, there are other non-native plants that perform well, too. However, keep in mind that many non-native and some of the native species are considered invasive. The United States Department of Agriculture has developed a comprehensive list of invasive plants you may want to avoid if you want to develop a landscape that is not only suited for the climate but also easier to maintain. Invasive plants will require periodic upkeep such as pruning or cutting back to prevent them from spreading to unwanted areas.
Lavender courtesy Monrovia. Butterfly Bush courtesy Monrovia. Hosta 'Snowy Lake' courtesy Terra Nova. Yarrow courtesy Monrovia.
Regardless of how much physical maintenance you are willing to perform, the type of planting you select may also be a factor. “Look for plants with deep roots—shrubs have deeper roots than perennials, for example—because they will be hardier,” says Kevin Garvey, president of Garden Design/Build in Glenelg, Maryland. If you’re picking plants for your second home, it’s probably wise to select ones that will survive even when you’re not there to water them—that means asking the folks at reputable gardening centers about drought tolerance.
Remember, however, that even though some trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials are considered drought tolerant, they still need adequate water at first. “New plantings need help getting established,” says CeCe Sieffert, a designer at Pinehurst Nursery in Long Green, Maryland, “so if you’re not going to be around ask a neighbor to help out with the watering, at least to help the plants initially.”
Robyn Affron, perennials assistant manager at Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville, Maryland, agrees. “The rule of thumb is if we do not get one inch of rain in a week, then you have to water,” she says. “Always prevent water from running off by watering infrequently, slowly, and deeply. A soaker hose works very nicely and can be turned on in the morning while you are enjoying your weekend.” If you don’t plan to visit your vacation home for long periods of time, or haven’t met the neighbors yet, consider installing an automatic irrigation system.
Roasa 'Radrazz' courtesy Monrovia
If you’re worried about too much rain ruining your plants versus not enough, your concerns should be directed more toward proper drainage rather than plant selection. “Make sure your beds and property are graded to allow proper run-off,” says Sieffert. “You could have poorly graded beds and the plants will drown in a half-inch of water, or you could have beds that are graded properly and those plants will survive four inches of rain.”
Once you’ve narrowed down your selections, it’s important to inquire about sun and soil preferences. “Then plant them in an area where they’re most likely to thrive,” says Sieffert.That’s especially the case for trees and shrubs. “It’s all about putting the right plant in the right place,” explains Carrie Engel, plant department manager at Valley View Farms in Hunt Valley, Maryland. “If you choose the right ones, after watering them the first week they should just take off on their own.”
Pay Attention to Details
Before planting, experts recommend amending the soil with compost to make the environment a little more hospitable. A popular choice in this region is Leafgro, a soil conditioner made by the Maryland Environmental Service agency consisting of composted leaves and grass clippings. It is available at most nurseries and garden centers throughout the state. According to Affron, you should use an amendment ratio of one-third Leafgro to two-thirds existing soil.
Because wind may be an issue, especially for waterfront properties, you may want to consider a barrier, such as a fence, to protect your taller plants. “A fence channels the wind, distributing it so that it is not as intense,” explains Garvey, who recommends a picket or open-lattice fence with a hedge.
For mounded landscape beds especially in sandy coastal areas, he also insists on installing permeable landscape fabric below the root systems of your landscape plants, particularly if you won’t be around to water. “It will keep the organics such as top soil up where you want them so you’ll have better luck retaining moisture,” says Garvey. “When you water without the fabric, water leaches through carrying the organics out of the soil right into the sand.”
Rudbeckia 'Henry Eilers' courtesy Terra Nova
And don’t forget to mulch because that, too, helps retain water. “Mulch no more than 2 inches with shredded hardwood mulch for new beds or beds that need organic replenishment,” says Affron.
To help organize the many resilient trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, and ornamental grasses suggested by the experts, we’ve developed a handy reference chart. Hopefully, these recommendations will help take some of the guesswork out of plant selection and will allow you to create a beautiful outdoor space without a lot of time and effort.
Kelly Rosen is a frequent contributor to ChesapeakeHome.
Contacts:
Behnke Nuseries: behnke.com or 301-983-9200
Garden Design Build Group: gardendesignbuild.com or 410-489-9110
Pinehurst Nursery: pinehurstnursery.com or 410-592-6766
Homestead Gardens: homesteadgardens.com or 410-798-5000
Valley View Farms: valleyviewfarms.com or 410-527-0700
United States Department of Agriculture: plants.usda.gov
