My soil is very poor. Claylike, rocky and hard. - Knowledgebase Question

york, Pe
Avatar for amsammons
Question by amsammons
March 24, 2009
My soil is very poor. Claylike, rocky and hard. I have been having a hrd time growing shrubs in this flower bed. Any suggestions as to what shrubs and or ground covers would grow best in this type of soil? I am in need of some serious help! My front yard has a mix of sun and shade depending on the time of day. Thank you!


Image
Answer from NGA
March 24, 2009
Some plants that thrive in heavy, poor, and shallow soils include Michaelmas Daisy (in fact most Asters will do well under the conditions you describe), Helenium, Viburnum plicatum (Japanese Snowball, Weigela, Rudbeckia, Buphthalmum, Solidago, Crataegus (Hawthorn), Forsythia, Spiraea arguta, Salix (Willow), Anemone, Lysimachia clethroides (Loosestrife), Leopard's Bane, Monarda (Bee Balm), Daylily, Foxglove and Prunella. Be sure to mulch the garden with organic matter to help the soil retain moisture and help suppress weeds. If you can dig the organic matter into the soil at the end of the season you'll eventually improve the soil and make it more hospitable to a wider range of plants.

You must be signed in before you can post questions or answers. Click here to join!

« Return to the Garden Knowledgebase Homepage

Member Login:

( No account? Join now! )

Today's site banner is by RootedInDirt and is called "Botanical Gardens"

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.