Hearty shrubs Z5b

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butterflywi Racine, WI(Zone 5b) Apr 15, 2006

Please help -- I'm planning foundation planting for the front of our house, which we purchased about two years ago. Originally this area had two half-dead flowering trees of unknown origin and gangly spirea bushes -- we took out the trees (which was easy since they were so rotten) and cut back the spirea to see if it would come back in better order (still waiting since spring has yet to come to this part of southeastern Wisconsin near Lake Michigan). This is a west exposure so it gets dry and hot, hot sun in the summer but also a lot of shade from towering oak trees on the south and one in the front yard, as well as from the house itself. Also a lot of very busy small animal life -- rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks. The soil is compacted and I'm modifying it with compost. I'd really appreciate your recommendations. Thanks.

Post #2192221
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rutholive Tonasket, WA(Zone 5a) Apr 15, 2006

Would it be possible for you to send 2 or 3 photos of the area you want to plant. Then we would have a better idea of what might work.

DonnaS

Post #2192859
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PrairieGirlZ5 Thornton, IL Apr 16, 2006

I have the same conditions in my front yard, except no towering oaks, just one towering spruce to the south, and shade from the house itself. I find that mulching helps keep the soil moist. I really like spirea, they sound perfect for that area too. They can be whacked back every year if you want to keep them super tight, but most don't get much bigger than 3 feet. I think you might like to try a purple smoke bush, that looks really nice with the pink spirea flowers. I would like to see pictures of your house too for more specific ideas. Also, your likes and dislikes: evergreens? mixed border or any particular theme? One thing I can tell you, I was surprised at how good things grow under those conditions.

Post #2193435
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