"And honestly, willows can be misleading...seen them thriving near drainage ditches that dry out completely midsummer."
Interesting point about the willows—makes me wonder, have you considered using native grasses or shrubs instead? They often adapt better to fluctuating moisture levels and can add some visual interest too.
Native grasses and shrubs are definitely a solid choice, especially if you're dealing with unpredictable moisture. But don't completely write off willows—they can actually help stabilize soil in areas prone to erosion, even if the water dries up seasonally. I've seen them used effectively in landscape designs near retention ponds or swales. Maybe mix in some native grasses for visual variety and extra resilience...could give you the best of both worlds.
Had a client once who insisted on willows near his pond—worked great until the roots started creeping toward his septic lines. Ever had issues with aggressive root systems causing trouble down the line? Curious how others handle that...
Had a similar issue last year—planted some bamboo for privacy, and man, those roots went wild. Ended up creeping toward our driveway and lifting some paving stones. Learned the hard way to install root barriers early on. Now I'm extra cautious about researching root systems before planting anything near structures or utilities... saves a lot of headaches later.
Yeah, bamboo can be tricky. I've noticed even some trees labeled as "non-invasive" can still spread roots pretty aggressively. A friend had issues with willow roots damaging pipes underground... definitely worth double-checking root habits before planting anything near structures.
