Seems like a lot of you are asking about the sun. Based on my picture, it probably looks pretty shady, but that was taken at the end of the day when the sun was setting. This spot is very, hot and dry and gets blazing sun all day long.
Thanks for all of the advice so far. The problem I have with wildflower mixes is that since I'm new to gardening I can never tell what's a flower and what's a weed. I prefer to keep things more organized, with specific plants relegated to specific areas. For example, my natural inclination would be to put the shortest plant in the front, then a medium sized plant in a row behind it, and then a row of the taller plants behind that.
I would definitely put down some mulch at first, and I plan to lay down some stones with a plastic sheet underneath them to make a path so I can walk through the area without stepping on a bunch of plants. Eventually I'd like the area to be full of plants from edge to edge such that you wouldn't really be able to see the mulch, and so that I wouldn't need to put down new mulch - in my vision the garden should pretty much take care of itself.
Not sure if what I'm proposing is possible, but you guys are the experts and I'm anxious to listen to all of your opinions and ideas.
Actually, what would be best if you would just tell me what you would do if you had this space. If you said, "here are 5 great plants that look great together, survive on their own without any attention and which won't try to invade each other" then I could just use your suggestion.
- Gary
