Well the area now has heavy soil. I planted some hydrangeas, just dug a hole and put them in and then I filled it with good dirt. Yes I see what you mean about creating a pond. I do have the plan of coming along later (next summer and next) and digging out some of the heavy stuff a little at a time and amending to about 8-10 inches deep around the general area. Probably take me forever. My poor back is already killing me and I only did a few. The previous owners did the old lady style garden lol where you put down layers of thick black plastic and then 6 or 8 inches of creek gravel stuff (not pea gravel unfortunately). I have filled bucket after bucket by HAND, found out real fast that the shovel will not do it. The plastic is so brittle I have had no luck trying to pull it up unless the gravel is completely off of it. The dirt underneath is so hard and packed, but once I get to working it with the shovel, it's not as bad as I thought. I thought I could maybe till the row and then shovel out some of it, and then back fill it with compost. I do know hostas will live in just straight water, I grew some in my fish pond. So I don't think the moisture of heavier dirt would hurt them?I'm just not sure they can get their roots out into to grow well. I planted some nandinas and I bought some rhododendrons but I buried them in some mulch still in the pots cause it is so late in the year I didn't know what to do with them for the winter. I hope they live!
