Hello,

I'm trying to get some ideas for an focal plant for this old cistern we have in our front yard. The cistern has been filled with soil for years and I think it would be a good place for focal plant because it looks almost like a big pot.

Any help would be appreciated!

It is on the NW side of our yard and is protected by large crepe myrtles on the North and West and on the South by a Bur Oak. It gets partial sun/shade. We have extremely hot summers of late and of course the last few years some cold winters. Not sure if this is our new normal or not?

In my mind the ideal plant would be -
evergreen
flowering or coloring - something of interest
5-6 ft tall (I guess?)

The cistern is 5'2" wide, sides are 30" tall, and we were told the depth is about 15'. It has been filled with soil for about 50 years.

The soil level is down 1' from the top - that could be raised or lower some
not sure if the concrete structure would affect it (would it be like growing in a pot?)

A shame the cistern was filled in... I wish I had a cistern...

as far as planting like a pot?

I can't see why not...
Maybe a rose of sharon or a citrus in the middle, and something that might "dangle" like a sedum or portulaca, lobelia around the edge...

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I think something that would "dangle" would be cool also. We have several Rose of Sharon already around the property so I was hoping for something that was more of a specimen plant and maybe evergreen but not tall. We also have been thinking maybe some sort of accent in the middle with plants surrounding and possibly draping over the side. I wish we could make the cistern more rustic. We tried painting with yogart and even buttermilk but it didn't work 😏

FYI - the cistern was originally off the back of a small house from about 75 years ago. The crepe myrtles that are there were in the front yard and the orig one died but the pups continue to thrive. In this area it takes a hardy plant to survive our hellish summers (getting even worse) and sometimes winter blasts. The USDA has moved our hardiness zone this year from 8b to now 9a but the last few years the winters have been dramatic. So I don't trust planting any citrus.

Can you handle Japanese maples or something similar in looks down there?

dtat60 said: The USDA has moved our hardiness zone this year from 8b to now 9a but the last few years the winters have been dramatic. So I don't trust planting any citrus.

you know...
there are hardy citrus...

Hardy orange would certainly thrive...

or check this Ichang lemon tree:


fruit the size of softballs growing in zone 8, Macon GA.

A tall slender shrub such as skypencil holly or a vine on an obelisk (see this site for ideas: https://www.gardencrossings.co...) will leave room for small annuals, perennials or shrubs around it, including some that cascade over and soften the edges.
Susan

I have this thing: It is definately a focal point. I am not sure how deep the cistern is so I can't really make any rational suggestions. I do know that conifers like this juniper are somewhat shallow rooted. So, obviously not my "Dr. Seuss" tree here, but maybe think about a topiery tree, like a round boxwood or something, or a group of smaller round shapes. However, they are high maintanance, you need to clip them around twice a year. (Sorry about the mess in the background).