Landscapes and gardens for challenging situations

We just put this fence in at the end of this last summer. I need some plant ideas to put in along the fence line. Perennials would be best. Also I have wet dry spots in certain areas. Right now there are only hostas under the cedar tree, 2 peonies, and a butterfly bush. Can you give me some ideas?

What plants will grow beneath a large evergreen tree?  The acid soil makes it hard to grow the usual natives that thrive in shade.

I live in Forestville, CA.  Can you recommend shrubs and flowers that will grow under the shade of our large oak trees? I don’t want to plant anything that will interfere with the trees’ roots.

Everything I plant in my clay soil withers away. What plants will grow well in these conditions?

I live in Mequon, WI and my lot is heavy clay. Would it help to add wood ashes from my fireplace and lime to the soil to help my trees, shrubs and flowers grow?

We built a house 3 years ago.  Unfortunately we were left with no topsoil, just lots of clay.  I have been amending the soil but the trees and shrubs are all rotting away.

My daughter has a problem growing grass in her Lutz, Florida front yard. It is in complete shade. We have hot, humid summers with temps in the 90s for about three or more months. She has seeded several times and nothing seems to grow. It is also an area that the children play in. Do you have any suggestions for her? The homeowner association is giving her flack and yet they have no suggestions for her. She is a single mother and finances are low. Is there something besides grass that would grow and withstand children running over it?

I have a dilemma—I can’t find flowers for our two planters that are in full shade. Making it more difficult, we live in the desert, so it’s hot during the day and cold at night. Do you know of container plants that will survive in these conditions?

I’ve just about given up trying to cultivate in the alkaline soil of the Utah desert where I live. What will grow in these dry and windy conditions? I’d especially like to plant fruit- or nut-bearing trees that will attract birds.

I have an area on the east side of my home in NW Iowa that is covered by our roof eaves.  I don't want the garden to have anything too tall in it as it is right in front of some windows. The area is about 4' wide by 12' long. The last 4' of the long way does get a bit of sun... I did see something called a "yew" that I really liked and if that would work, I'd like to include it with other things.

My daughter is getting married in late May when my garden seems to have the least amount of color. The spring bulbs have finished blooming, but frost is always possible so I usually do not have the annuals in the ground at that time. I think pansies would work. Any other ideas?

I can't seem to grow anything in our decomposed granite soil. I've enhanced it with topsoil and water frequently, but even wildflowers refuse to sprout.

I moved into a new house in Leadville, Colorado and inherited a yard full of rocks. Not to mention, I’m also dealing with high altitude, extreme temperature fluctuations and drought conditions. Please give me some advice on what plants would thrive in these conditions.

I have friends that have a guest ranch in the mountains of Montana where we visit. Due to the high altitude and wide fluctuation of temperatures, flower buds do not seem to open well. Petunias seem to be our best bet but geraniums don’t work well at all. Can you offer some suggestions on what to grow in high-altitude areas?

I am looking for suggestions of annuals or perennials (zone 5) that will work well in late day sun. The area is shaded most of the day - but gets direct sunlight in mid-summer from about 4pm on.  Shade plants wilt.  Sun plants don't perform well. 

I would like to plant small ornamental grasses 6-8 inches tall in an area that is shady and very moist. The area does dry out some during the summer but is very wet during fall, winter and spring.

I have black walnut trees along my lot lines. What other plants & bushes will grow near these trees? I need to plant more coverage along the lot line.

I need some suggestions for a hot dry location in my back yard. It receives full sun and little care from me. I want some perennials that will look good even in the tough zone 5 conditions.

Do any flowering plants withstand wet and soggy ground? I have an area in my yard that’s perpetually wet—even during dry spells—and the weeds that grow there are a real eyesore.

We moved into a new home last year that sits among a forest and has many trees throughout the yard. I often see pictures of flowers, like hosta, planted around the trees and I would like to do this.  I have read in your articles not to put any soil over roots or near trees as it will kill the tree.  How do other people plant around trees?

We have a property in northern Wisconsin. Because of our sandy soil, we have a hard time with being successful with our lawn. My husband added a layer of brown dirt to the soil and planted grass seed. It did take somewhat but it is not thick. I continue planting more seed in the bare areas. We do water consistently. What type of grass seed would you recommend for our type of soil?

I have a shade-soaked culvert that runs through our property. Can you suggest an attractive ground cover that needs little maintenance and will help control weeds? 

We have a small backyard that is fairly shady and dry. In addition, we have two large dogs. Is there a grass that can survive these conditions? Or is there any very low-growing groundcovers that might work? For various reasons, I'm reluctant to resort to wood chips or gravel.

I have a shady slope under some trees where I can't get grass to grow.

I live in Zone 5. What are some good choices of groundcover that will give us the best results for covering a sun-drenched slope?

We have a Norway maple tree located in the center of our backyard. We love the shade it gives us. However, the roots are very exposed and grass does not want to grow under it. Do you have any suggestions for us to make the area a little more aesthetically appealing?

I would like to make a small rock garden under our pine tree because nothing seems to grow there except two small bunches of creeping phlox. Do you have any suggestions?

Could you please tell me what I can grow under a 40 year old pine? Do I have to do something special to the ground first? I heard that the pine needles put something into the ground that is not good for other plants.