I have a moist shade spot that is located near a silver maple and some hemlocks, and a goodly part of it is relatively root free. Amazing, no? There must be enough water runoff in this area to keep the tree roots happy elsewhere.

Anyway, I am wondering how much digging I need to do to establish natives like polemonium, heuchera, phlox divaricata, clumping ferns, bleeding heart, etc.

Think that 4 inches would be enough to get them established (with watering this summer)? I will also topdress with some leaf mold.

Don't want to dig too extravagantly, to avoid attracting maple roots.

(I am crossposting this to Natives also.)

thanks, becky