All the Dirt on Gardening

The Morton Arboretum recommends native Sikes Dwarf Hydrangea for smaller gardens. I would add also for cozy corners or shady nooks of a large garden. The Sikes Dwarf grows about 2 feet tall and wide at maturity and will survive zone 5 winters. In addition to the other reasons we love native plants, this baby is disease and insect free. They will thrive in moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soil. As with all these shade lovers, mulch really helps them survive our summers. You may have to protect it a bit since it flowers on old wood and the flower buds can be damaged in extreme cold. Prune after bloom like most hydrangeas. PineRidge Gardens As you can see, the flowers are more open than many. Digging Dog Nursery says, "We have Sarah Sikes to thank for this new low growing Oak Leaf Hydrangea. Hailing from Alabama, it’s half the size of most quercifolias, rendering it a mainstay in the smaller garden. Lobed and closely spaced, the handsome broad foliage shows o...

If there is a tree, shrub row or a building on your property, you have dry shade.   Shade by a fence, overhanging roof or wall often has enough light several hours a day to make many plants grow. The shade under a tree can last all day and the tree’s roots can steal all the water, making it even more difficult for flowerbeds to thrive. Fall and winter are a good time to take on these areas. The drought seems to be behind us for the time being and it is easier to work outside in cooler temperatures. Perennial plants (those that live more than one year) can successfully be planted until the ground is frozen. If you are adding trees to an existing landscape, choose the ones that allow sun to filter down to the ground. Trees that produce dense shade include maple, beech and magnolia. Trees that allow sun to penetrate to the soil include paperbark maple, dogwood, birch, white beam and ginkgo. Some of the best shade trees to plant if you want lawn and plants to grow below are: Paperba...