Creamaster, I think those will be the most expensive flowers in the world if they exacerbate the moisture-near-the-basement problem.
Consider this: grade the soil away from the basement, install landscape fabric and a light (esthetic, not purposeful) layer of mulch. Dig holes through the fabric at the point farthest from the basement (the size of 5-gallon planters - as purchased from a nursery). Plant her flowers in the pots and set those in the recessed holes. If you are able, install an empty 5-gallon pot in each hole and leave it there permanently to maintain the shape. Use another 5-gallon pot to plant in, then set it inside the permanent plastic pot. Watering and fertilizing will be spot specific. And repotting will be easier than if you planted in the ground.
Porous weed-barrier fabric is essential. No matter how you grade the site, rain WILL get underneath the weed-barrier fabric. If you were to use non-porous plastic, evaporation would be zero.
Consider this: grade the soil away from the basement, install landscape fabric and a light (esthetic, not purposeful) layer of mulch. Dig holes through the fabric at the point farthest from the basement (the size of 5-gallon planters - as purchased from a nursery). Plant her flowers in the pots and set those in the recessed holes. If you are able, install an empty 5-gallon pot in each hole and leave it there permanently to maintain the shape. Use another 5-gallon pot to plant in, then set it inside the permanent plastic pot. Watering and fertilizing will be spot specific. And repotting will be easier than if you planted in the ground.
Porous weed-barrier fabric is essential. No matter how you grade the site, rain WILL get underneath the weed-barrier fabric. If you were to use non-porous plastic, evaporation would be zero.
