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| Here's a photo of the area between the retaining wall and the yard border. The border consists of a bunch of wild trees.
Notice that there's a section of the area that there's no grass? Well this is because it's shaded by the tree. Because it's downhill and covered by the tree, it probably doesn't get that much water either. The soil is hard and cracking there. What can I grown there? I rather stick with some sort of Illinois native plant, which rules out Ajuga and Sweet Woodruff. The latter I am actually very fond of but feel that it may take over the woodland. My wife is fond of ferns, but one would think that wouldn't work since it wouldn't be wet enough. Thanks. Paul |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Once established, some ferns are more forgiving. I had Christmas ferns (Polystichum acrostichoides) survive a southern summer of absolutely NO rain but in the shade, of course. They were drying and curling up when Sept. came and hurricanes caused rain in our Piedmont area. Then they revived. Marginal wood fern (Dryopteris marginalis) also did fairly well although for me it is not wintergreen if it doesn't get summer moisture. What about green and gold? (Chrysogonum virginianum) It takes shade but blooms better with a little sun. You could put it at the front of the ferns. Check out some good books, such as Cullina's...for more ideas. Edge of the woods is a great spot for lots of things ONCE ESTABLISHED. |
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| How about partridge berry? http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/mitchella_repens.sh tml |
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| Assuming the trees are deciduous you could try spring ephemerals which belong in your region. For me these are things like bluebells, wild garlic, wood anemones, wood sorrel and celandines. But I am sure there are plenty you could choose from. I also second the ferns suggestion. There are several which will grow in dry shade. |
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| I see a nice woodland wildflower walk there, with ferns, spring blooming bulbs, Jacob's ladder, native phlox divartica, false solomon's seal, and ephemerals under the trees, a few hostas that are species spreading types (not the fancy, water demanding big varieties, but the smaller ones that actually look like wildflowers); other wildflowers that bloom in the shade like blackeyed susans and asters for fall. Shredded hardwood mulch or bark would work well for a walking surface. I have a dry, shady woodland and all of these plants thrive in it. There are many ferns that do not require a lot of water but actually prefer dry shade. I don't recommend mayapples or true solomon's seal as they can be huge spreaders. Native wild ginger does make a good ground cover, however. |
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| Pussytoes, Antennaria plantaginifolia, might do fine there. |
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