Dry Stream Bed Garden in Cabarrus County

Dry, rock-lined stream bed surrounded by colorful plants. — Spring
Dry stream bed Garden age: unknown K. Andre CC-BY-SA 2.0

Plants in this photo:Plants in this photo

*Bletilla* Chinese Ground Orchid Hardy Orchid Urn Orchid

*Illicium parviflorum* Hardy Anise Shrub Ocala Anise Small Anise Tree

*Liriope* Lilyturf Lily Turf Monkey Grass

*Ophiopogon japonicus* Dwarf Lilyturf Mondo Grass

*Oxalis* Clover Good Luck Plant Lucky Clover

*Zephyranthes* Atamasco Lily Fairy Lily Rainflower

Description

Name: Dry Stream Bed Garden in Cabarrus County

Open to the public?: No

County: Cabarrus

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7b

Extension Demonstration Garden?: No

Approximate year the garden/landscape was established: 2015

What to look for: This is an extensive planting around a dry stream bed at a private home. As the house sits lower than the neighbors' home, flooding was an issue so a dry stream bed was installed. The dry stream bed starts at the waterfall and curves along the patio out into the side yard to finally curve down away from the home. The owner, an Extension Master Gardener volunteer, makes use of various hardscapes throughout the garden to add additional interest. There are both native and non-native plants that attract pollinators and birds. Many plants are drought-tolerant once established and some, such as the Chinese fan palm, the banana and elephant ears, add a tropical feel to the property. The planting in the back of the home uses art, rocks, texture in the form of grasses and shrubs and blooming perennials to create interest.