dry trough ideas

[mark smyth]

I have a 'trough' that badly needs an update. The down side is it faces south and is sheltered from the rain by the sun room. Our rain mostly comes from the west so this only gets rain when it comes from the south or straight down. There is enough moisture that keeps Androsaces and bulbs happy.

What, if any, small plants would be happy here?

[Lesley Cox]

Some of the tiny Dianthus? sempervivums? Heaps of other stuff if you were willing to give it the occasional can of water. Maybe the very tiniest bearded irises?

[mark smyth]

oooh never thought of Iris and Cayeux has a new range of miniature bearded Iris

[Rick R.]

The small penstemons, like Penstemon caespitosus, should do nicely.

The small bearded iris are excelent.  The more austere the conditions, the better the arcing of the foliage.  And there is always cactus for troughs, too.
Shown here:
Iris suaveolens (yellow form)
I. suaveolens var. rubromarginata
Coryphantha vivipara

               

Suaveolens is evergreen.
Iris suaveolens var. rubromarginata

               

This was sold to me as Iris attica.  I'm not sure it is, as it does not go dormant in summer, but I am in zone 4.  The flower height doesn't concern me, as this is its maiden flower and it grows in dry but rich soil.  It will be shorter next season.  Whatever the identity, it has very nice foliage.

               

[John85]

If you are not afraid of prickly things why not try some acantholimon
Dwarf dianthus was my first choice too
And a last one:Teucrium ackermanii

[mark smyth]

If you are not afraid of prickly things why not try some acantholimon
Dwarf dianthus was my first choice too
And a last one:Teucrium ackermanii

Thanks John

[Lesley Cox]

Also Teucrium polium, a nice combo of woolly grey scented foliage and yellow/limegreen flowers. In T. ackermannii, the foliage is deliciously scented but the flowers smell of sewage.

You could try Erinacea anthyllis.

You need more troughs.

[mark smyth]

I have about 12 polystryrence fish boxes in the shed  and the urge is building to do something with them

[iann]

Do you like succulents?

[mark smyth]

THanks but no thanks. They dont excite me.

What were you going to suggest?

[iann]

THanks but no thanks. They dont excite me.

What were you going to suggest?

Lots of possibilities for dry areas, depending on your preferences.  Cacti if it is really dry and warm.  More traditional hardy succulents like Semperviviums, Sedums, or Delospermas.  Or plants that would hardly be considered succulent certainly love dry conditions, like Lewisias

[Lesley Cox]

How could you not be excited by the Jovibarba pictured in the Wisley Crevice Garden thread?

[astragalus]

Eriogonums, including E.ovalifolium and E. kennedyi love the combination of sun and dry (and some heat).

[mark smyth]

Eriogonums, including E.ovalifolium and E. kennedyi love the combination of sun and dry (and some heat).

I've never seen Eriogonums for sale. I must email Tim Aberconwy

[astragalus]

They're actually quite easy from seed.  Try Alplains.