plants for turf stone driveway
Marc
I am planning a turfstone drive way. I would like to have a recommendation
for a plant to use in the driveway.
I would like something that is drought resistant, low maintenance, aromatic
and resistant to Bermuda grass infiltration. Native species would be
preferred. I have thought about rosemary. But I am not sure how it would
do.
The location is Vallejo CA. The soil heavy clay, moderate well drained
slope.
Partial shade in Summer time. A gingko tree grows on the Western side of
the drive.
I appreciate any suggestions you might be able to offer.
Kelly Houston
What, exactly is turfstone? And does the plant need to be driven over?
Kelly
Marc
Turf stone is something like a cinder block. it can be used for drive ways
or landscaping steep slopes. They are about 3" think and when laid on the
ground the form a waffel like grid with soil in the holes. When used for a
driveway they prevent compression of the soil in the holes.
You can see a picture of a turfstone parking lot at this URL
http://www.interlockonline.com/turfston.html
One eco advantage is that it reduces the paved surface area abd the
resulting heat effects. Plus it provides a little greenery in what would
otherwise be solid concrete or asphalt. Grass is a common plant used in
turfstone. But I'm looking for something native that will use less water.
The plant would be driven on, but would not be compressed. leaves and
branches that extend beyond the edge of the holes would be crushed.
"Kelly Houston" <orang...@aol.comnotthis> wrote in message
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SusanTillery
Thyme springs to mind as a plant that is planted in walkways. Don't know how it
would do in you climate. I doubt that it is a native and I don't know how
invasive it would be. You might try looking around for a native plant society
in your neighborhood and posing the question. If you are in the US, you might
also try the county extension office.
If you have enough shade and an acid soil, I like moss.
Among the plants Jeff Cox suggests in Landscaping with Nature are chamomile
(Chamaeleum nobile) and mother-of-thyme (Thymus serpyllum).
Susan Tillery
Marc Panneton
I think that you could use plants like 'Sedum' or 'Echeveria' even Thyme
could give your parking lot a great look
Marc <ma...@speakeasy.org> a écrit dans le message :
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Marc
Chamomile is endemic in hills nearby. But thyme sounds more appealing.
Thank you
"SusanTillery" <stil...@home.net> wrote in message
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Kelly Houston
>Chamomile is endemic in hills nearby. But thyme sounds more appealing.
>Thank you
Thyme is very suceptible to crabgrass invasion. It doen't do a good job of
keeping weeds down for some reason. However, I live in the SF bay area, and the
crabgrass just keeps going year round...weeds are a constant battle in the
areas where I have creeping thyme.
You said you would like to use low water natives: where are you and what kind
of soil/climate conditions do you have?
Kelly
Marc
"Kelly Houston" <orang...@aol.comnotthis> wrote in message
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>
Vallejo Ca NE corner of the SF Bay Area.
Soil is heavy clay, (what else) well drained slope partial shade. 4-5 hours
direct hot sun in Summer.
More in winter because of deciduous tree.
When I install turfstone I can fill 3" hole with good soil/compsote/sand
mix. But below that will be hard heavy clay.
Janet Fairchild & Tak Nakamoto
I've installed turfstone as a pathway material in my garden in Berkeley
(CA). I think I have conditions somewhat similar to yours (clay soil, slight
slope etc.) I've found that laying turfstone directly on top of clay to be
somewhat of a problem. Because clay tends to swell and shrink according to
the amount of water in the ground, the surface of turfstone path tends to
become uneven over time. I can imagine that if the surface is driven over,
that the problem would be worse. (I use my path just to roll my garbage cans
and wheel barrow.)
If you will be driving or parking on the turfstone, I think that you'll want
to install a well draining, compacted base layer of crushed gravel (or
crushed recycled concrete) before you lay your turfstone. A 4 to 6 inch
layer should do the job. Having to reset turfstone because of the swelling
is a pain in the a**. I know.
Also thyme grows well in the turfstone. Be sure to include some form of
irrigation in your plans.
Tak Nakamoto
Marc <marc...@obongo.com> wrote in message
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