Get matched with top landscapers in Chillicothe, MO

Monkey grass isn’t too picky when it comes to light conditions: It needs sun but prefers partial shade. While it can tolerate full sun, it thrives in environments with partial shade (around four to six hours of sunlight per day). The black mondo grass variety is the most tolerant of heat from direct sunlight.

Unless it only rains once in a blue moon where you live, you’re going to want water-loving plants in your garden bed or pot. A few ideas for plants that aren’t super fast-growing (meaning they’re good in pots or near foundations) and can handle a lot of standing water include: 

• Acorus (Sweet flag)

• Colocasia esculenta (Taro or elephant ear): In many climates, these are annuals, making them less desirable because you need to adjust the chain again after each replant.

• Equisetum scirpoides (Dwarf horsetail rush): non-dwarf varieties of horsetail are fast growers and can take over quickly.

• Juncus effusus (Curly rush)

• Osmunda regalis (Royal fern): Royal fern can grow quickly but can also handle being crowded, making them good container plants.

Most experts recommend a quarter-inch layer of compost for best results, and you will need about .77 cubic yards of material per 1,000 square feet. To measure how much compost to use, take the square footage of your yard and multiply it by .77, then divide that number by 1,000.

If you don’t like the way your empty drainage ditch looks, reach out to a local landscaping professional to discuss your options. They may be able to liven it up with plants, stones, bushes, or other decorative elements. You can also add your own landscaping, but you should first make sure that it won’t block your ditch or prevent it from operating effectively.