I have a shallow ditch which runs between my driveway / horse field fence. Last fall I decided to put a perennial border along the full length (approx 70'). I planted Spirea at the posts (they seem dead), Mock orange at the gates (no life showing) and Siberian Iris the full length (no signs of life yet). I mulched everything with 6" of bark mulch. This Spring it has been a very wet area. Does anyone have ideas of plants I can grow? It's in full sun and should not be wet year-round - it's very shallow but not great soil!
Thanks for any help!
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[B]I have a shallow ditch which runs between my driveway / horse field fence. Last fall I decided to put a perennial border along the full length (approx 70'). I planted Spirea at the posts (they seem dead), Mock orange at the gates (no life showing) and Siberian Iris the full length (no signs of life yet). I mulched everything with 6" of bark mulch. This Spring it has been a very wet area. Does anyone have ideas of plants I can grow? It's in full sun and should not be wet year-round - it's very shallow but not great soil!
Thanks for any help! [/B]
Cazbou -- first, it has been a late spring this year in our area here in Ottawa, and likely the same in Morrisburg, where you are. You say you put 6" of mulch -- that's a lot for a perennial border, especially if you anticipate things might get wet feet (it will hold the wet). In addition, don't forget, it will also hold the cold, so you may even have made your things think spring is later than it is! I would pull back the mulch and see what the plants look like at their lower stems and roots -- you may find some growing bits under there! or not (check the soil temperature too with your hands). Leave the mulch off them so they can dry out. On the other hand, you may find they are rotted. In any case, have a good look.
If they are goners, then here is what I would do. You say it's not great soil, and obviously you want things that won't take much fuss, given its size. But I would amend the soil with compost - I use mushroom compost, but it sounds like you may have a good source close by, if that horse field is indeed inhabited by horses ;-))- but make sure it is well rotted. You can either broadcast spread this, or just put a couple handfuls in when you plant your plants. I had a hard time with an area I was trying to fix up that had similar conditons until I amended the soil.
I would not use as much mulch (3" would be fine on a perennial border). And if your area is wet in spring and dry later on, you may want to explore what plants like wet feet, but not all the time. Try some drought tolerant ones, too, like echinacea or Rudbeckia (black-eyed susans). The Siberian Iris should do, since it does like wet feet, but also soes OK in sun. Also daylillies might do well. And Joe Pyeweed is great if you have lots of room and need height. Ornamental grasses too. Check out a local nursery and tell them your problem -- use the label information, too, about whether they are drought tolerant or like wet feet -- most will tell you. You could also visit some garden centres around the area -- Whitehouse Perennials, Centre Commons Perennials are a couple near us that have good large show gardens so you can see the things and what growing conditions they like.
try these but they bloom in spring but no colour after that. Also lillies like you see growing wild along the roads. Many lillies bloom all summer long. Failing that I am sure a nursery can help.