Hey everyone! I'm heading to a local native plant sale today and I have a blank slate I really want to fill. I just ripped out the old mulch and plastic weed barrier in the front of my house and I'm ready to plant.
Here are the details for the space:
Light: North-facing wall on the east corner of my house ( low sun).
Soil: Silty clay.
Location: Zone 5b iowa/illinois border
What are your absolute favorites for these conditions? Let me know what I should be keeping an eye out for at the sale today. Thanks in advance!
by amandajw1
2 Comments
Fringed bleeding heart- they grow well in the shade, are native to Illinois, and bloom in early/mid spring for us in 5b. Mine thrive with a layer of mulch and don’t require any watering/fertilizing.
The one downside is they are just underground in the winter, so I’d pair it next to some sort of evergreen so there is visual interest year-round.
Rhododendron prinophyllum (early rhododendron) is also native to Illinois and shade loving with beautiful flowers, but should be planted further from the house since they can grow pretty tall.
It looks like a nice spot for a bush!
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/what-are-some-good-native-shrubs-my-landscape