The Prunus won't like wet roots at all. The Physocarpus is much more likely to succeed on damp ground. But you are saying the spot is too moist even for the Spiraea?

I have two spiraea s in the area, one loves it and is doing great but the goldenflame is struggling. The prunus is the ninebark?

Ninebark is physocarpus (I'm probably spelling that wrong, but you get the idea). Flowering almond is prunus.

Ninebark IMO is a FAR superior plant to flowering almond. Aside from the pest and disease issues inherent in prunus-dom, flowering almond is just a rank shrub. Looks nice for maybe 7 days while in bloom and a dull, twiggy, crappy mess the rest of the year. Ninebark is relatively free of serious pest/disease problems, is quite adaptable to difficult growing conditions and provides much more in the way of year-round interest. Nice flowers in the spring, attractive foliage (particularly in the cultivar you've picked) the rest of the summer, and interesting exfoliating bark in the winter. It's still not the most exciting shrub in the world, but it sure as heck beats flowering almond.

I saw the ninebark at this house and had to ask them what it was. They didn't know as the landscaper put it in. I was at a 50% sale over the weekend and saw it there. I almost got it but finances are tight and I didn't want to buy a shrub that won't survive where I wanted to put it.

If I had to pick between your two choices, I'd certainly say ninebark is the better choice. Flowering almond is 'cute' but short-lived and so common it's almost hackneyed. It's also prone to disease. But, for your climate and soil issues, I'd suggest clethra, winterberry or witch hazel.

I have the 'Summer Wine'. Go with that.

Dan

Summer wine it is then.

Hopefully, my experience with Summer Wine was rare, but I mention it because of your damp spot comment.

I removed a Summer WIne this year after it got fungus really really bad. The prior year or two, it had a handful of oddball looking leaves, but this year (after a super wet spring), it turned incredibly white with fungus. And the soil and area is average normal soil, nothing extreme.

I removed it to protect two other Summer Wine's on the property.

I consider my experience rare and as I said I am only bringing it up because of your wet conditions. The risk is there for problems.

I would stick with something that absolutely likes wet conditions to increase your chances of success. removing failing plants is no fun.

My 'Summer Wine' grows in a damp soil area along with Joe Pye Weed, turtleheads and swamp hibiscus. It does just fine. It is a great shrub with 4 seasons of interest.

Summer Wine, Diablo and the likes are extremely suseptible to powdery mildew.

The key to success is a moist (not wet) soil in full sun.

But a wet spring and humidity can effect this plant no matter what.

My Summer Wine is in a decent location and only gets traces of PM.

My Diablos on the other hand where in a dry location and the previous wet springs and humidity reaked havoc on them. I've since cut them to the ground and transplanted (early spring)...they are doing better now.

Because of the wet year we have been having, my Summer Wine ninebarks had PM really bad. I have since thinned them out drastically and ended up removing one completely. I am disappointed I did not know about the PM before I purchased them.

Your choice should depend on your site more than the price of the plant. Summer Wine is larger - 5-6' feet tall and wide. It needs full sun. Flowering Almond (depending upon the species - several plants go by this name) is 3-4 feet tall. It's very showy in the spring but fades away soon after.

I have Summer Wine in shade, near a roof line it is gets some PM because of the moisture. My plant in full sun is clean.

Well with the goldfame spirea and crape myrtle out of the way there will be plenty of room.

my SW is fabulous and i have all varieties of ninebark - none w/ powdery mildew yet!