^^ Thanks. I think I will try the variegated red twig dogwood. From some comments In the shade forum I think that might work..maybe try some mints as a groundcover for it-they both like it moist. The variegated leaves in the growing season and the twig color in winter should liven up the area there. Plus you can get them cheap almost anywhere. Will try that container mix of the pine bark fines, perlite, etc. I saw discussed on another thread in this forum. I brought my yew with me..the one that was in semi-shade, and yeah, I think they are pretty tough plants.

I looked them up for you. All three can be grown in your zone; thus, overwintering should be fine if you can find and follow the specific recommendations. The general plant care info below is not specific to container growing conditions for these tall deciduous shrubs and evergreen tree. Clethra alnifolia (summersweet) has definite climate and soil preferences: Need acid soil (low pH) similar for rhododendrons and azaleas. Full sun in cool gardens. Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry): Not sure but red chokeberry can grow in any soil and full sun. Tsuga canadensis (Canadian hemlock): Conferous evergreen - no need to overwinter Acid soil w/ ample moisture High summer humidity Protection from hot sun/wind Tall in native eastern states but there are dwarf varieties.

If I just plant the pot with holes in the bottom, you say they will do fine, but about the tree roots, do you think they are surely to get in? I think this, so I want to make a 4x4x2 concrete and chicken wire planter with no holes and maybe about 6 inches of gravel, do you think this will be ok for drainage, or do I need siphon hoses put into them to suck the water from them inside the gravel? They are cheap. Siphon hoses only work if the water is above the hose, so how would I get drainage still and leave out poisonous roots at the same time? All the soil is bad, but could be aerated to correct any problem, with compost to build up the aerated depleted soil. It's the soil and the roots I'm trying to avoid as the soil is with the roots currently growing in it. I just read roundup will kill privet, so I'm happy, but it's not going to kill every poisonous tree in my yard or the walnut seedlings I see spreading by root only, with no walnuts in that area of the yard. A weed torch would be useful, but in a wet winter setting, not this hot dry weather we have now. This still can't kill the trees, so that is why containers and not raised beds. Corn and squash and melons did fine in the soil this year, so did sunflowers and sorghum, all plants I can grow for shade around each container. I can even plant a tall flower, if one will grow in that type of soil. A marigold grew, some poppies even though not well, not much of any other flower grew well. Is it better to leave the bed above ground, plant tall plants around it for the weather and drain the bed through a hole on the sides near the bottom by uncorking hole? Some of these beds can be a large tote buried rather than above ground. I don't like the looks of them, but they are cheap. I guess for the first year it should be cheap, if it works I'll make the better ones. So above ground totes with corn, sunflowers, or sorghum planted around it too, or placed in the back of them planted in the front would shade them. I guess I'll have to think which is better for now.

Astilbe should grow, although I have had no luck with them - but I do think that is personal. It seems like there is always one or two plants that grow for anyone but me. Columbine should be fine, and definitely elephant ears will look great. I had no trouble with Japanese Painted Fern, or Wood Fern. Take a look at Heuchera as well, I find them to be very hardy, come back every year. I have a strip alongside my house that is empty now, that I would like to do similar to yours in that I will plant Asian Jasmine, the white and green kind, and then add Heuchera, hosta, and ferns with stepping stones meandering down the middle, with elephant ears lining the back where the path meets a fence. The other plants die back in winter, but the Asian Jasmine looks pretty, and then the others come back in spring. But do know that hosta requires regular application of bug and snail bait to keep whole.... terry