Shrubs for dry area

8 years ago

I have a dry area near the woods that gets 4 hours of afternoon sun in the spring and fall. Due to nearby trees it gets less in the summer. Plants seem to do well in the spring, then struggle in the summer, and burn in the fall. I have oakleaf hydrangea and barberry growing well there but limelight hydrangea and Shasta viburnum don’t seem to do well there. Also they must be deer resistant and preferably decidious as deer eat everything green in the winter. Can you recommend some medium to large shrubs to help me fill in the area? Zone 7a heavy clay. Thanks

Featured Answer

User

8 years ago

I can recommend a terrific resource for this, if you're willing to spend a little time looking through it:

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderSearch.aspx

Zone, deciduous shrub, deer resistance, dry soil tolerant are all search parameters you can select!

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Comments (6)

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Dig Doug's Designs
8 years ago
Jack Frost Ligustrum, Mahonia beali
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Mens Tortuosa(5b Omaha, NE)
8 years ago
I think the common lilac, syringa vulgaris, would be a good choice. You may not get a ton of flowers with that much light, though.
laceyvail 6A, WV
8 years ago
Spice bush--Lindera benzoin should work.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
seem to do well in the spring, then struggle in the summer, and burn in the fall.

==>>> sounds like they are water starved in summer.. and the result shows up in fall ...

keep in mind.. newly planted shrubs ... trees also ... depending on size.. need at least one year of proper watering .. to get established ... to be able to cope with whatever the second summer throws at it ...

do not think you can skip this part.. just because they might be called 'drought resistant' .. thats only after they get fully established. ...

see link for a general primer on dealing with clay.. and planting ... proper watering ...... etc ... ken

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub
Chris
Original Author
8 years ago
How about bottlebrush buckeye or ninebark?

I probably should do a better job of watering in the summer but even my 3 year old snowball hydrangea burns up in the fall.