| Anyone who has ever undertaken a landscaping | | | | Drought Problems |
| project knows that landscaping can present some | | | | On the other end of the scale are areas that get |
| unique challenges. | | | | little rainfall, or that have soil that doesn't hold water |
| Even if you are fortunate enough to pull off your | | | | well. In these areas, xeriphytic plants are usually the |
| design without a significant hitch, it can still be quite a | | | | way to go. Xeriphytes are plants that need very little |
| task. Most aren't so lucky, though. Almost any | | | | water and do well in dry areas. If there are only a |
| installations scheme will run up against at least a few | | | | few areas of the property that consistently dry out, |
| problem areas that just won't conform to the ideals | | | | rock gardening can be a viable solution, as well. Rock |
| of the landscape design plan. Fortunately, such | | | | gardens can be designed to look either natural or |
| problem spots can be overcome with just a bit of | | | | artistic and can be used in conjunction with xeriphytic |
| flexibility and creativity. | | | | plants. |
| Erosion Problems | | | | Rocky Terrain Problems |
| Soil erosion can be a significant problem on sloping | | | | Rocky terrain provides many of the same issues as |
| land. The most practical means of curbing erosion is | | | | dry areas, with the added obstacle of being unable to |
| through terracing and building retaining walls. Retaining | | | | dig into the earth for easy planting. Rock gardening |
| walls can be constructed from rockwork or by using | | | | works well and looks natural in such settings. Soil can |
| railroad ties partially buried and spiked into the ground. | | | | be imported into sections of the rock garden to add |
| Drainage Problems | | | | xeriphytic plants to add color and life to the rock |
| Drainage Problems are also a common source of | | | | garden. |
| distress for homeowners. Water can easily pool in | | | | Shade Problems |
| low lying or flat areas. This is especially common in | | | | Highly wooded areas and areas blocked from the sun |
| areas with very hydric soil (earth that retains water | | | | by structures can receive too little sunlight to support |
| rather than allowing it to drain). If the areas of | | | | the majority of plants. However, there are a number |
| pooling are well away from any structures or other | | | | of plants that thrive in shade. These should be used |
| objects that might be subject to water damage, you | | | | in any areas that present the problem of too much |
| might consider simply using wetland plants in those | | | | shade. Such areas can also be utilized and augmented |
| areas. If the location of the standing water is, itself, a | | | | with hardscaping. While you may have difficulty |
| problem, then a better option is to dig a swale (a | | | | getting your plants to grow in the shade, a nice |
| shallow trough) to establish a channel for the water | | | | shady spot makes the ideal setting for benches, |
| to drain into a more desirable location or even out | | | | gazebos and other features. A little creativity can go |
| into the street. | | | | a long way in addressing shade problems. |