Which flowers/flowering bushes or trees should I plant?

Question

I live at the beach in NC. I'm not ocean front but the soil is still very sandy. We live in an area with mostly old folks who are retired and outside planting new flowers all the time. The homeowners association does all the grass mowing but the flower beds are up to us. And we are constantly getting dirty looks and comments about how bad our bed looks.

I am possibly the worst gardner known to man. My mother could kill everything and I inherited her ability with my fathers complete disinterest. I can't tell the difference between flower and weed. I want to find something that will grow in the sandy soil, that blooms most of the summer, and that requires lil maintance. It can be tree, bush, vine whatever--as long as its low maintenance. I can water about once a week. And maybe monthly I'll go out there and (deadhead, or add a fertiziler stick, or whatever one does). But you better spell it out for me if you don't want it to die.

Suggestions? Anything will be appreciated!!

Native plants tells me nothing about how difficult they are to maintain.

Oh and I forgot to mention--we have full sun so any suggestion has to be for full sun, b/c there is no way to add shade. It's not a big enough area for a big tree.

Is everything that grows in sand that difficult to maintain?

pfl--what are the maintanence requirements for those things you mentioned?

Answer 1

Plants and sand, what joy. I'm from Miami originally, so even though we weren't near the beach, we had a lot of the same problem. You also need something that will tolerate the salt spray, the occasional storm surge residue, and, of course....the blasting sun. Now.....I live in Virginia and summer at the Outer Banks, so....I'm kinda familiar with the "issue".
Clear out your beds and get ready!
First thought: Decorative grasses come in many different heights, colors, and frond styles. I'd put them in the background and on the ends. These will keep the maintenance (weeding) to a minimum, they look good even in the winter, and only need a haircut come springtime. Look at some of the funkier ones with verigated leaves, twisted stalks, and make sure you have a mixture of frond types to keep it interesting. You probably don't want to go "pompas" as they get big, and one strong storm in the dry season will really tick off the neighbors: the fronds break off and shed on their yards.
In the center you may want to look at some kind of century plant. They get spike-y, stay green, and send up a nice, tall spire that flowers in any variety of colors. When they spread, they do so in a tight little cluster so they aren't hard to keep up with. Sedum, Yucca, Century plant.....Now, for blooming, shape and ease of care: Salvia (comes in LOTS of colors and is very "poor dirt" tolerent....I mean it grows in the Texas desert for gosh sakes!)

Honestly, if you aren't in for perennials though....for the rest of the planting area: consider decorative pots with annuals, or a planting box that is easily pulled out of the "zone" and re-planted. Sun hardy begonias, and lots of other annuals don't require that much tending if in a pot or box, come in lots of colors, and at the end of the season, you have the option of pulling the pot and over wintering it indoors, or.....just letting it die off in the winter and planting something new in the spring. As long as the pot or box is partially submerged in the surrounding...uhm...sand....it won't dry out as quickly either, so you can keep to your "water once a week" schedule too. Mixing your perrenial grasses, in ground, permenant, with interesting, decorative pots (and face it....they add color too!!) full of happy faced bright flowers that require little tending, and are easily replaced after a hurricane or major storm....will keep you from going nuts, keep you from going broke, keep your maintenance to a minimum....and keep your neighbors off your...uhm....case. (don't you LOVE home owners associations??!!....NOT!!)
One of my favorite resources, even if you don't buy from them.....(they give specifics about height, soil and sun requirements)....try Wayside Gardens (online).
You might be inspired!! They have wonderful things, they give lots of info........and you might find just the color, leaf shape, and "look" that will keep your neighbors from frowning at your purple thumb....
And remember....everything was just a weed until someone liked it enought to name it and plant it on purpose!

Good luck, and happy gardening!

Answer 2

I'm from SC and now live in PA - I think I can help you.

If you don't have a "green thumb", get your landscaper to assist you, but Crepe Myrtle is a beautiful bush or tree that loves and is planted throughout your climate area. They're my favorite. Of course, in PA, can't have them. Also, the jasmine is a trailing vine. Sweet William (small flowers for borders, perennial that you do not have to plant each season).
Daffodils for the spring/summer. Petunia trailing or non-trailing would survive in the soil, but in the holes, place a good potting soil. Gardenia bushes are extremely popular in the South. That might get you started, also small azalea bushes, they live in acidic soil, anything succulent (cactus family) Spirea or agapanthus are border plants. Use a geranium (red, pink, or white, with candy tuft at border, the mix in sweet william, lavendar or stella odora lillies to make a pretty garden.

Answer 3

Try finding a nursery in your area that has native plants. Native plants can be very decorative, but since they are native to the area, they adjust better to the local growing conditions and require less water and fertilizer. This means easier to grow and less time caring for them!

Once they get established, they are pretty much maintenance free since they are suited perfectly for the conditions present. You may have to cut them back once or twice a year to keep them from looking shaggy or water them if you have a drought. Putting mulch down will help keep weeds at bay.

Here are a websites to help with research on native plants that grow in your area:
NC Native Plant Society - http://www.ncwildflower.org/

Answer 4

Go for Cacti, they can take a beating.

I just wanted to chime in to say that the 'in limbo' thing wasn't meant to be subtle, my email limit has already been reached, and I have no idea about the 'kotter' thing.

Answer 5

Check out, read & research www.springhillnurseries.com they can help you decide what you need for your area & will ship it several weeks before time to plant it.

Answer 6

Ask one of the old folks in your area.They have all day to tell you what you need to know and what their opinion is.They will even tell you were to get them

Answer 7

crepe myrtles and rose of sharons, both are easy, self containers and have beautiful results