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new here, would like recommendations please

13 years ago

Hello folks! I'm new to gardening. I know it's probably too late in the season to plant anything new so I've started planning for next year. I would like to plant some shrubs in the front of my house that look nice in three seasons: blossoms in spring (they don't have to be really showy, just nice-looking), pretty foliage in summer, and some bright fall color. I'm in zone 6 and I would like something that won't grow too quickly and will do OK in soil that contains clay. I'd appreciate any help. Thank you!

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Comments (2)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
hey happy ...

welcome

next.. where are you .. it helps a little beyond just z6 ...

actually.. now is one of the prime times to be planting trees.. shrubs.. and conifers ...

dealing with clay is all about 'how to plant' .... rather than selecting plants that need it .... but you need to clarify what kind of clay ... any chance its that battleship gray OH clay ...??? or are you meaning a soil that has some clay tendencies ... bottom line.. its all about drainage ...

finally.. how many .. because your little wish list.. is going to be hard to fill .. with one plant ... e.g. the ones with the best spring flowers.. like lilac ... are pretty drab the rest of the year ... and the ones with fall color are pretty boring in spring ... etc ...

lastly ... yeah.. caffeine buzz.. lol ... your limitation this time of year is how to get what you want.. finding stuff locally might be a problem.. but there is always mail order for the unique ...

more facts please..

ken
rockin_zappy
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks Ken. I think it's zone 6b. I live in SW Missouri. The soil here is high in clay, the red kind. Also rocks, lots of rocks. I'd like to modify it but I really don't know how. Not sure how well it drains either. There doesn't seem to be a drainage problem but I'm certainly no expert. I have an old-fashioned lilac bush in my backyard that does very well. I want something with fall color in front. I was thinking about some kind of viburnum, sweetspire, or maybe an oakleaf hydrangea, but I read that oakleaf hydrangea don't do well in clay soil. I also have no experience with any of these shrubs. So I'm looking for input or recommendations for alternatives. Thanks!
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