I just turned this retaining wall and I’m planning on adding a native plant bed on the uphill side (downhill too, eventually). I’d like to start with a shrub/small tree in the corner of the wall near the door. Something that will probably stay in the 3—6ft wide range (height negotiable). Soil is neutral, dry-moist most of the time (rarely, if ever, saturated wet as it’s on a hill), circumneutral pH.
The main issue is shade. This photo was taken at about 9am and as you can see, the corner is already half-shaded by the shed (in early spring). It will remain in the shade until about 4pm where it will get dappled late afternoon sun for a few hours (light partially blocked by the fence). This might improve a bit by summer, but it is completely in the shade of the shed from roughly 9am – 3:30pm. Secondary issue is rabbits and deer.
I’m considering:
– some kind of native viburnum. Ideally Maple Leaf, but we do have Viburbum Leaf Beetle so V. Lantanoides is the backup plan, as it seems more resistant.
– Clethera Alnifolia – seems more compact and tolerant of dryer soil than some of the other Pepperbush varieties…
– Forthergilla Gardenii
Anyone have any opinions on the above? Will any of them do better/be less “leggy” in heavy shade than others? Any other options I should consider? The goal is mostly a shade-tolerant shrub with good insect/pollinator/bird benefit.
by Nature_Boy_4x40
6 Comments
Look up spicebush. It grows in the woods, so it wants to be in the shade. Doesn’t have huge water requirements. It starting to bloom now.
Hi neighbor! I’m down in more central MD.
Forhergilla and Clethra will potentially get clobbered by deer. I think viburnum is a better bet. I think Maple leaf viburnum for its smaller size is probably a good option. Mine gets eaten by deer, but I’m in a very high deer pressure area.
The best deer resistant shrubs that I have are shrubby st. John’s wort and calycanthus floridus, but those aren’t deep shade types.
You could also consider a larger, bushier perennial, like maybe black cohosh.
Is that the sun conditions now or throughout summer? Because the sun will climb higher into the sky over time, and may shine over the shed at that point.
Check the list: [https://xerces.org/publications/plant-lists/native-plants-for-pollinators-and-beneficial-insects-mid-atlantic](https://xerces.org/publications/plant-lists/native-plants-for-pollinators-and-beneficial-insects-mid-atlantic)
I’ve always been partial to maple leaf viburnum, but IMO that spot is perfect for cinnamon or hayscented fern.
Consider V. cassinoides (witherod viburnum). V. nudum would also work but is suspectable to Viburbum Leaf Beetle.
If you want to go another direction, consider wild hydrangea or American spikenard.