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Shrubs for full shade

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Posted by MadisonKathy z4, Wisc (My Page) on
Mon, Jun 6, 05 at 22:57

I'm looking for bird-friendly shrubs for an area between a maple and very large, very old evergreens that have been limbed up. As soon as the maple leafs out, the area gets no sun. Anyone know of relatively fast growing shrubs for these conditions in zone 4?

thanks,
Kathy

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RE: Shrubs for full shade

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Check out if the native Sambucus pubens (red? scarlet? elderberry) is good for your zone. It is fast growing, highly bird friendly and highly tolerant of full shade (in which it normally fruits without problem!). In your situation - which sounds similar to ours, featuring a large neighbourly Norway maple + our own huge apple tree - you would have to provide a good, rootless "pit" for your new Sambucus to first grow into. Line it with several sheets of newspaper, then put with the plant in and top with the rootless soil. That way it will be able to develop its own root system good and grow without the aggresive competition of the large trees' root systems, esp, if water is scarce. At some point, it should do splendidly on its own.

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RE: Shrubs for full shade

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Euonymus americana (hearts 'a busting) would work, as would maple-leaf viburnum if the soil is acid. Witch hazel also does well with a lot of shade.

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