Shrub Suggestions for a natural, woodsy backyard...

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heybeans Snohomish, WA May 10, 2008

We just moved into a brand new house with an unfinished backyard. We just laid sod, but left some space along the back edge of the property for something. The property borders a gorgeous green belt that is very natural. We would like to add a few things that bloom and maybe a tree or two. I would love to get some suggestions. The area is mostly shady and we live in Seattle (zone 8, I think). I definitely want to keep it looking very natural. No perfectly pruned hedges for me!

Here is a photo taken from my kitchen. Not the best photo, but it was raining outside- go figure!

Thanks!

Thumbnail by heybeans
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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) May 10, 2008

You might consider planting some northwest natives...natives would blend nicely into the natural area (plus they tend to be lower maintenance than other plants since they're already adapted to your environment)

Here are a few sites to check out:
http://www.wnps.org/landscaping/herbarium/index.html
http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/pi/npresrcs.htm
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/yamhill/pages/gardening_natives.html

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njjpl Pequannock, NJ May 10, 2008

Try Annabelle Hydrangea, white blooms will lite up the adjacent area.

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missingrosie Hillsborough, NC(Zone 7b) May 11, 2008

astilbe - some like full shade, bleeding heart, Erythronium oregonum (beautiful),shooting stars --Dodecatheon - you have a lot to choose from. I see the little playhouse --some of these are poisonous so be sure to check all your choices out if you have children or pets.

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valrita May 13, 2008

A few Clethra cultivars would look good there. Plus you'd have the bonus of having fragrant late-summer flowers. Clethras like water and will bloom in the shade. For descriptions of a few cultivars:
http://members.tripod.com/~Hatch_L/clet0219.html
Plant Files has more info. I have 'Sixteen Candles', 'Hummingbird', 'Sherry Sue' and 'September Beauty'. They're nice shrubs.

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Hastur Houston, TX May 13, 2008

As one who is a MAJOR fan of anything that you can grow to eat, I would suggest a native type fruit bush or even some vines.

If you go vines (like blackberries or raspberries), you can space them, and plant a few in a small 12"X12" area, with a branch in the middle. That way, the vines climb the branch, but don't look all trellis'd. The branch allows for a very organic shape, and putting space between the berries gives you a place to plant some complimentary ground cover - wild strawberries anyone?

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