Shrubs for moist/wet GA clay

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Hi folks,

I'm looking to pull out some bushes in front of our house this year (I'm pretty sure they're boxwood or something that looks similiar) and I'm looking for a good replacement. We have clay soil (I know, I live in GA so that was probably a no-brainer), but it tends to stay pretty moist/wet where the current bushes are. It gets some morning, mostly mid day/afternoon sun and I have the area mulched (if that's important to note).

I want something that can tolerate clay (I'm not wanting to do much amending, just plop it in and let it go)--- moist/wet clay at that--- and the sun conditions stated. Being that it is in front of our house, I say 4-5 feet tall max. Width is not an issue, as I have a large area to work with. Thanks!

Featured Answer

Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I'd like to see a pic of the location first.

Wax myrtle is OK in a high profile position if you plan on doing regular pruning. They can get 10 to 15 feet tall otherwise.

Would George Tabor or Southern indica azaleas work? Maybe they need more shade.

Maybe Gardenias?

Sasanqua camellias?

Viburnum such as Viburnum propinquuum, if you can find it.

Fatsia japonica should be OK, provided not too much sun.

Distylium hybrids should be adaptable. 'Vintage Jade' or 'Blue Cascade'.

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Comments (8)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
(I'm not wanting to do much amending, just plop it in and let it go)

==>>> see link below on planting in clay ....

then look at the section on proper watering ... do not rely on your opinion that its always wet.. to just go popping it in and walking away ..

you might also do a perk test ... to see how bad your clay might be... drainage is the issue with clay ... and once you understand how it drains.. you can water properly ...

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=garden+perk+test&t=ffcm&ia=web

not many things that grow to 5 feet... will magically stop at 5 feet ... so be careful with size .... how deep is the bed... out from the foundation??? ... try to find things and plant them far enough away .. so that you will have a 2 or 3 foot empty space between the house and the plant.. for house maintenance ...

this MI boy doesnt feel qualified to offer suggestions on specific plants ... but i would further suggest... that you will get the best suggestions ... if you give us a pic of the front of the house ... and perhaps give us a big city name ... as GA is rather large.. north to south ....

good luck .. ken

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub
User
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi Ken, ty!

the bed from foundation to yard is about 7 feet.

I haven't watered the bushes in front of the house since we moved in last March and in hot, hot summer last year, the ground was still wet under the mulch. :/

Thank you for the links, I'll check them out in a minute.

I found something that sounds maybe suitable, but I will have to read more on it. It's called Southern wax myrtle, but they do have a dwarf variety.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
some of the greatest growers.. grow in clay ... all roses i mail ordered were ..

clay can be one of the best mediums for growing in .. once you learn about such.. and how to deal with it ...

ken
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
oh.. yw .. lol.. ken
User
Original Author
8 years ago
That makes me feel better. I seem to have such a hard time with some of the stuff that was here when we bought the house and I didn't pick the right plants for under one tree we have in the front yard apparently, so they all got yanked out last month (not that despised pear tree, haha).
User
Original Author
8 years ago
Dave, I'll get you one today. I saw dwarf wax myrtles get 4-6 feet, maybe that is an option? Thanks for the names, I'll have to google those.
User
Original Author
8 years ago
Ken, I didn't do a perk test, but I did dig up some monkey grass in the area yesterday. It rained Sunday and well... the holes were floating with water, haha.