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06-07-2006, 05:43 PM
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Sapling
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Join Date: Mar 2004
USDA
Posts: 261
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ledge plantings
I am looking for native, deer resistant plants for a large shaded rock outcropping with minimal soil. Any thoughts? Zone 5
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06-08-2006, 07:49 PM
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5 Gallon Tree
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Rhode Island
USDA Zone 7
Posts: 539
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where are you and how much soil is "minimal"? Like you could plant shrubs minimal or perennials only minimal? First thing that comes to mind is lowbush blueberry.
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06-08-2006, 08:31 PM
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Gold Oak Member
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Charlotte, Vt
USDA Zone 5
Posts: 128
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Epimedium.
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06-08-2006, 09:07 PM
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Sapling
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Join Date: Mar 2004
USDA
Posts: 261
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Thanks for your replies. Maybe some nooks and crannies for shrubs but I'll consider myself lucky if I have enough soil for 5 qt or 1 gallon. I'm thinking herbaceous.
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06-08-2006, 09:44 PM
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5 Gallon Tree
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Rhode Island
USDA Zone 7
Posts: 539
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Sticking with blueberry. You can get it in small containers or even as sod. Some ferns. Some sedum depending on how shady. Rudbeckia? Sweet Woodruff?
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06-08-2006, 10:40 PM
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Ranger
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Southwest ct
USDA Zone 6
Posts: 1,742
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If the ledge is as poor as you describe, I would clean it off to expose more of it. There may be plants that will grow in that situation (which we will learn about when Voodoo gets here). Do you really want to stake your reputation on a plant installed in barely enough soil (see post about irate customer).
Expose the ledge and plant shade loving natives around it where you KNOW there is enough soil. If you REALLY need to plant something on it go with moss or ferns.
I love ledge, and often explain to clients that ledge is an asset not a liability. You must work with it not against.
Partridge Berry
__________________
As a father I was always aware that I was raising my sons to leave home, marry, establish families, and be men who could stand on their own two feet. We must fulfill our own destiny. I really wasn't concerned about what they might 'do' but I wanted them to 'be' good men.
- David Epps
Last edited by jwholden : 06-08-2006 at 10:46 PM.
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06-09-2006, 10:03 AM
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Sapling
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Join Date: Mar 2004
USDA
Posts: 261
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In it's natural state the majority of the outcropping is already exposed and is beautiful. There are pockets of soil running though portions of the rock which are currently filled with grass and weeds. It looks like someone string trims it on a regular basis. I'm looking to take over that area with some native spreading plants.
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06-09-2006, 04:16 PM
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Seedling
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Join Date: Dec 2005
USDA
Posts: 96
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Does this ledge have water seeping through it or is it a dryish ledge? Shade or sun?
Sounds like you have a cool opportunity to do something really interesting!  |
06-09-2006, 04:17 PM
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Seedling
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Join Date: Dec 2005
USDA
Posts: 96
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Ooops, you said shaded. But what about the moisture situation?
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06-09-2006, 04:32 PM
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Seedling
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Join Date: Dec 2005
USDA
Posts: 96
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Heuchera would be great. They're members of the Saxifragaceae family which comes from the Latin SAXUM "a rock" and FRAG "to break". Perfect, huh? I often see these on rock ledges in the southern appalachians. And ferns, ferns, ferns. Phlox divaricata at the wetter, base areas. Aquilegia canadensis (wild columbine), Isopyrum biternatum (false rue anemone), Polygonatum biflorum (Solomon's Seal), Smilacina racemosa (false solomon's seal), Aruncus diocius in moister areas.
Ok, I am envious of you!
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06-09-2006, 08:45 PM
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Sapling
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Join Date: Mar 2004
USDA
Posts: 261
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Why is it that we are in love with boulders when they are out of the ground but swear at them when they are under the ground?
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06-09-2006, 08:48 PM
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Sapling
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Join Date: Mar 2004
USDA
Posts: 261
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one more
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06-09-2006, 08:58 PM
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Gold Oak Member
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Millersburg, ohio
USDA Zone 5
Posts: 437
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plumbago, sea thrift, some ferns, bamboo pleioblastus distichus, geranium(cranesbill), seaoats grass,
__________________
Bruce Davison
Davison's 4 Seasons Landscaping
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06-10-2006, 02:19 PM
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Gold Oak Member
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
USDA Zone 5
Posts: 1,243
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That's a beautiful cropping, and I wouldn't want to plant anything on it that would be so showy to detract from the rock.
My first thought was Eastern Red Cedar, Juniperus virginiana, like you see on the PA. turnpike growing in the cracks and crevices of the massive stones they blew apart to build the road. But my first thought was wrong. That would look totally out of place.
Having seen the stone now, I think a dry shade fern is the way to go: Japanesse Painted Fern, Athryrium nipponicum pictum but that might be too showy, or Interrupted Fern, Osmunda claytoniana.
Pennysylvania Sedge, Carex pennsylvanica is another simple subtle option. It's a fine textured native sedge, that takes dry and the deer leave alone.
Epimedium is good choice too.
What a great opportunity. Reminds me of this stone crop from the Gunpowder State Park north of Baltimore...I beleive those are Christmas ferns spilling down the crevice in it.
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06-10-2006, 02:59 PM
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Gold Oak Member
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
USDA Zone 5
Posts: 1,243
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A closeup. No greater designer than nature.
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