Plants for a Hot Wall

So you have a hot south facing wall. What will go there? It is surprising!

Achillea x 'Moonshine'
Item # 10045 		Achillea 'Moonshine'
Moonshine Yarrow

each $5.49
3 to 6 plants $5.29
7 or more $4.99
Sphaeralcea munroana
Item # 91940 		Sphaeralcea munroana
Munro's Globe Mallow

each $7.99
3 to 6 plants $7.79
7 or more $7.59

Item # 82025 		Ratibida columnifera 'Mexican Hat'
Prairie Coneflower

each $7.99
3 to 6 plants $7.79
7 or more $7.59
Oenothera macrocarpa ‘Comanche Campfire’
Item # 72130 		Oenothera macrocarpa ‘Comanche Campfire’
Silverleaf Evening Primrose

each $7.99
3 to 6 plants $7.79
7 or more $7.59
Rabia albipuncta
Item # 81000 		Rabia albipuncta
Frilled Flower Hardy Living Stone

each $5.49
3 to 6 plants $5.29
7 or more $4.99
Yucca faxoniana
Item # 98754 		Yucca faxoniana
West Texas Tree Yucca

each $6.99
3 to 6 plants $6.79
7 or more $6.59

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So you have a hot south facing wall. What will go there? It is surprising! With a little planning and heat-loving plant choices, an inferno against a south or west wall can be transformed into an easy-care, low water garden area that is beautiful, natural, and thriving. Planting against hot walls is also a way to use plants from warmer zones that would not normally survive, and gives the gardener a chance to experiment with unusual, exotic plants.

All the plants listed below love the hot sun, but many more possibilities exist.

Soil Preparation

For most of our xeric offerings, well-drained soil is important, but because of the heat, some organic material will help hold water longer, keep plant roots cooler, and eliminate the need for frequent watering. Sand, compost, small gravel mixed in with existing clay or loam soils will provide the proper base for your hot bed.

Another important consideration is mulching, and using covers such as gravel, large ornamental rocks, or wood chips or bark will help to keep the roots cool, contain water evaporation, and help to keep out weeds.

Design Elements

Think of the area in layers. Take advantage of the wall’s verticalness and install tall, long stalked plants and shrubs for either support or an interesting backdrop.

Tall plants

Shrubs

In front of these taller plants is the intermediate area. This is a good place for colorful perennial flowers.

Medium height plants

The lowest level is where plants will fill in along at ground level in the front.

Low-growing plants

It’s not impossible to find plants to grow in glaring hot regions around our houses. It just takes a little bit of deciding which plants you like and some experimenting to see what works.