NC needs advice on planting in Charleston, SC

Hello, dear fellow gardeners. I would like to plant a couple of things in my son's side yard. It would be under overgrown ligustrums (in neighbor's yard). Last year I pulled out a ton of Virginia creepers and some more weeds (he had just moved in). I don't know what soil he has, but being on James Island I guess it would be quiet sandy???

So, my question no. 1 is: how should I amend the soil (BTW, there used to be an outside dog thee for several years)
Question no 2. What would you think of a Clethra and/or Sarcococca? There is a lot of shade, but some sun there.

I won't have much time there, so I would like something that I can find in a nursery there, is easy to plant and also that is low maintenance (for him), and will fairly soon cover a nice area.

Any ideas? (I know you do!!!)

Gosh Clementine, I don't grow either of those plants and just do not know enough about them to recommend or reject them.
For amendments I would spread several inches of mushroom compost under the bushes and let the worms come in and do their thing.
Hyam's nursery on Folly Road has about the best selection of plants and a very knowledgeable staff. They are pricey but worth it in my opinion. As you are heading toward Folly Beach (you 'll be on James Island), Hyams will be on your left. Their sign is very "tasteful" and hard to see. I remember it is opposite a drug store (Kerr or Eckerds, not much help am I). I am guessing it is about 3 miles from the Ashley River Bridge. Be prepared, the nursery is huge and has plants in every direction. If you are like me you will want one of everything. :-)

I forgot to add that you should probably do a soil test to see if you need any nutritional amendments. You can take a pint of soil to the Clemson office or to the Master Gardeners Plant Clinic table at the downtown Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings. The FM is on the corner of King and Calhoun.

Hhmm, ardesia, this is complicated. I will be there only for a weekend, so I guess I'll go to Hyam's and let them advise me. I remember seeing them, although I did not think they were all that big. ON the other hand, I think there is another one very close to them a bit more North(?or NW?). I'll get out early on Saturday and check them out.

I once found a list of plants in a document called THE MASTER PLAN ZONING TEXT FOR DANIEL ISLAND, ... where they tell people what they can/should plant and how wide their driveways should be a, etc. etc. That's where I found the sarcococca.

Thanks for advising me, ardesia!!

There is another smaller nursery on the left before you get to Hyams but I have never stopped there. Hyams spreads out in the back and is actually quite large for Charleston.

Have a good weekend; there is a large garden festival coming up at Middleton Plantation in October. Perhaps you can return to Charleston for that event.