Design sketching today

I really enjoy giving design suggestions. Here's one from today.

Question: Creative ideas needed! We bought a fixer-upper and I have no clue how to landscape this side of the house. It faces west, has poor soil, and gets direct sun for half the day — but even though it’s only part sun, it is HOT sun because it’s west facing and the brick heats up, too. Initially there were remnants of a weedy bed, which we tore out this spring and replaced with some leftovers from a native plant sale. All those plants were very unhappy there 😂 Being next to a foundation we don’t want to plant anything that needs lots of water. Are there any drought tolerant, heat loving grasses or shrubs?? I feel like we need some height. Would love some ideas!

Design sketch ideas

This is zebra grass in the middle and shorter grasses on the edges. Flowers are black-eyed Susans with allyssum spreading at the feet of the bigger ones. After they are established, they are all pretty drought tolerant. Leave them up over the winter for interest and wildlife and cut back in spring. Allysum will likely reseed.

This is northern switchgrasses with short versions of sunflowers and alyssum down below.

This is butterfly bush and they also come in pink. On either side is yarrow which comes in yellow, red, and white as well. These plants are also very drought tolerant and heat tolerant once they get established.

This sketch is cupplant in the center, short grasses at the sides. The flowers are zinnias which come in all sorts of colors and heights.

Do you see anything you like? Would you like me to sketch for you? Email me at thelazynortherngardener@yahoo.com