Can you give me the names of some plants I can use as a groundcover for a dry, sunny bank that I don't have to water?
There are quite a few plants that will happily grow under those conditions. So many, in fact, that I often wonder why gardeners plant water-guzzling turf when they can grow something much nicer that requires minimal watering and doesn't need to be mowed.
Some plants, such as alyssum, snow-in-summer, rambling roses, creeping phlox and creeping thyme can be quite showy when they're in bloom. Others, like cotoneasters, kinnickinick, various sedums and horizontal junipers are a little more subdued, but far more interesting than staring at a strip of dandelion-pocked grass.
Any of these drought-tolerant, sun-loving plants will need to be watered on a regular basis during the initial growing season while they're getting their roots established. By the following season, they generally only need to be watered during droughts.
If you have any questions or comments, please send them to me at vanessa@gardenmuse.ca.
