What to plant around Serviceberries? 4b-5a

2 years ago

We are in a suburb of Minneapolis/St. Paul. The back portion of our yard is planted with a couple serviceberries on the ends (this is full sun). We had 3 autumn joy sedum planted around each tree, but none of them seemed very happy there and didn't survive (well, 2 did, but they didn't look good this spring and the rabbits finished them off).

I feel like I need to state that the rock is non-negotiable. The back of our yard is a veritable river when it rains and stays mucky and wet even when it doesn't rain. We have clay soil and the back of our yard is a drainage easement. Our neighbor's play equipment would find its way into our yard during heavy rains before we had a fence. Rock is the only thing that will stay put. Plus we like the way it looks.

Given that, do you have any recommendations for some plants we can put around the serviceberries that will do well there? (You can see the sedum in the picture below, which was taken just after they were planted - they are no longer there).

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Comments (9)

porkchop_z5b_MI
2 years ago
Oh boy, this is kind of a tough one. You need something that will thrive in moist conditions but be able to take full sun and be able to withstand sun reflection and heat from the rocks. I'm drawing a blank at the moment.
anj_p
Original Author
2 years ago
Yeah I figured it would be tough. Maybe I should just forget about planting anything there but that makes me sad. We did berm it up a bit so the area isn't drowning.
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mcarroll16
2 years ago
Sedge? I used the Monrovia plant finder, selected for zone 4, full sun, and then "very wet areas" under the "Problems and Solutions" option.
anj_p
Original Author
2 years ago
I should add that I'm a total novice and have had professionals pick plants for me so I had no idea there were websites for this. Lol. Never heard of sedge either! I'll take a look.
porkchop_z5b_MI
2 years ago
Sedges vary in their cultural requirements.
anj_p
Original Author
2 years ago
I should probably just take some time off during the week and go to Gertens.
mcarroll16
2 years ago
A local nursery is always a great place to start.
Yvonne Martin
2 years ago
Research rain gardens because this is what you describe as your back garden. Check if there is a Master Gardener that you can access. They are trained volunteers who love to help newbies such as you. Minnesota has a vigorous outreach program--you could also contact someone at the U for help.
laceyvail 6A, WV
2 years ago
Look into Carex grayi, Carex 'Feather Falls' Carex haydenii (this last one just looks like a tall fountain-like grass with no flowers). All good for sun and lots of moisture. Also lovely is Iris fulva 'Little Cajun'. Fairly low and wants garden moisture to standing water. Another plant that should work is Amsonia tabernaemontana--any of the cultivars.