We need plants that can survive low light and high winds. Any suggestions?

Question

bamboo is out of the question.

Answer 1

Describe your shade conditions and size of plants you want. Deep shade, light shade, all day, part sun, etc. Hostas and impatiens are great in shade, and wind won't hurt them. Sweet potato vine. Columbine. Bird of paradise. Azaleas. Viburnum. Alyssum. Bleeding heart. http://www.thegardenhelper.com/fs~perenn...

Answer 2

There is quite a variety of"evergreens" that may work for you. Do some more research.

Coleus may work for you too. Hydrangea is hearty too.

Answer 3

Plumbago is working for us.

North exp. - mojave desert.

It dies down in the winter but has always come back.

Answer 4

Ground cover....ivy, periwinkle, creeping myrtle.

Answer 5

Assuming you have both of those conditions, I'm going to assume that you live in the shadow of something large ... say on the north slope of a mountain, in a conditon where the winds may get to be near 100 miles per hour.  The type of plants you could use in a place like that, are basically the same ones you would find on a mountainside ... "upper alpine' plants are what they are called.  If you have a rockery or very rocky ground or can get the heavier rocks (extremely expensive) then you could have 'chickens' ... there are many different types of 'chickens' and they come in many different colors, from a deep grey green to a lighter chartreuse.  Many have orange 'stems' that rise up to interesting flowers, and these also reproduce very easily ... the send out 'shoots' with smaller chickens on them to take root in the 'next available space' in the rocks.  Chickens need very little dirt, and because they cling to the rocks, they are also very good in high wind situations.  Some of the decorative grasses would also work ... just be sure to get a grass that has a very deep root system, and that doesn't grow too tall.  The 'low light' should help the grasses stay short enough to survive.  You also might want to try things like rhododendrons and azaleas ... both grow wild in the state of Washington (also in Oregon) and are excellent growers in low light.  The high winds may deform their growth, but I think that actually makes them look prettier than the 'domestic rhodys and azaleas' that can take more sunlight.  Also try camelias, but get a lower growing one.  Camelias bloom before the rhodys and azaleas, so you'd have some 'color' most of the summer ... they also grow best on the north or 'shady side' of buildings.  Go to two or three of your local nurseries and tell them your conditions, including any 'direct sun' for however long a day, how 'low' the light is usually, and the top velocity of the 'regular' winds as well as the top velocity of the infrequent wind storms.  Nursery people know just about every plant, and these days with 'ecology' being the watchword, they are learning more and more about conditions like yours and they will have many more interesting plants you can try.  DO NOT plant a lawn ... if you have a large yard, plant raised gardens and put cement walkways, paving stones, or gravel between them ... and the 'raised beds' can also help the plants survive if you build them well ... even the highest winds don't usually move anything in it, much less the bed itself ... especially if it's made of stacked railroad ties or cement.  Good luck, and enjoy your garden.