Recognize and accommodate climate differences throughout your garden
Microclimates can pose unique challenges as you be after for and maintain your thou and gardens . Although not all challenges are a unfit matter , they can be expensive . For those of you who are unfamiliar with the condition , a microclimate is a small area within an otherwise normal infinite that reacts differently than the rest of the space ; because of this area ’s picky location , surrounding structures , and vegetation , it can be spicy , windier , or colder than the eternal rest of your yard . These conditions may exist twelvemonth - circle or seasonally .
Wind has created microclimates for many of our clients over the year . Typically , their homes have been lift and we have dealt with either rooftop gardens or high-pitched - rise balconies . We have had to be very clever with our placement of columnar plant and cognizant of folio size , fuck that the wind would rip up anything enceinte , such as the leaves of elephant auricle ( Colocasiaspp . and cvs . , Zones 8–11 ) or large - leave behind flame nettle ( Plectranthus scutellarioides , Zones 10–12 ) . Some of these balcony would have a quiet , gay corner , while the opposite goal was always being whipped around by the wind . So much for symmetry within our containers !
Needless to say , we have had to be serious-minded with our plantings . If wind is an topic that you struggle with in your gardens , do n’t be afraid to keep your plantings low ; you may make some literal drama in small packages . We love using a concoction of succulent and cacti to keep planting low and sturdy against the fart . We expend a combination of ‘ Black Prince ’ echevaria ( Echevaria‘Black Prince ’ , Zones 9–12 ) along with golden crawl Jenny ( Lysimachia nummularia‘Aurea ’ , Zones 3–9 ) , candelabra euphorbia ( Euphorbia candelabrum , Zones 10–12 ) , and coppertone stonecrop ( Sedum nussbaumerianum , Zones 9–11 ) . We also use wall to aid support our taller plants such as yuccas ( Yuccaspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–10 ) or a beautiful cactus . finally , wooden or metal bet are your booster . Prop those plants up as ask , and do n’t be afraid to expend some gardening twine in discreet post to give your wind - be adrift plants even more support .
Another common microclimate is created by the sun and warmth . A hot point in your garden can be difficult to maneuver at first , but over time , you ’ll break some ironic garden plantings or full - sun perennials that will prosper in the heat . Our never - fail dry - location and full - sun recommendations let in ponytail palms ( Beaucarnea recurvata , Zones 9–11 ) , yuccas , pencil cactus ( Euphorbia tirucalli , Zones 10–12 ) , and asparagus ferns ( Asparagus aethiopicus , Zones 9–11 ) , to name a few . Anything with groovy texture that wo n’t shrivel is a achiever in our Bible . In our current yard , we have two containers circulate 15 feet asunder , both in full sun . One of those containers ( Mr. Right ) is thriving , and we can do no wrongfulness . The other container ( Mr. Wrong ) has destroyed more annual and makeweight than we ’d like to admit . The only account is that for whatever reason , Mr. Wrong has its own mini - microclimate . Go figure !
There are ways you may take advantage of microclimates . One good example comes from a home ’s structural environs . Courtyards are a common architectural feature in Southwestern homes . If your home features a courtyard , this can be a fantastic quad to feature container that might not survive elsewhere on your property . Courtyards are such a great microclimate due mostly to the protection from the current of air and extreme heat . The walls of the courtyard often help retain heat during the cooler months , which keep the flora happy and better protect from the cold . Yet during the hot month , the court can be a place of respite from the extreme sun with the tincture it provides . Ours is turn into a Little Shop of Horrors ; the industrial plant are growing so fast that we ca n’t keep up with them .
Microclimates can definitely be a challenge , but they also require you to focus on the various spaces within your garden to understand how the elements feign them . slow down down and look out the sun and wind and how they change from one area to the next . Moving to a fresh zone and climate can be a big alteration , so give yourself the sentence to understand your garden . It will give off down the road .
Sheila Schultz and Laurel Startzel are a mother - girl duo who found Denver Dirty Girls Container Gardening while living in Denver , Colorado and have carry on their business since moving to Tucson , Arizona .
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Containers with tall plants are set against the wall of this balcony to reduce the negative effects of wind.Photo: Laurel Startzel
This container features low plantings not much taller than the railing that will not be damaged by high winds. Featured are (clockwise from top): Candelabra euphorbia, golden creeping Jenny, coppertone stonecrop, and ‘Black Prince’ echevaria.Photo: Laurel Startzel
The plants in Laurel’s courtyard have really taken off.Photo: Laurel Startzel
