Re: No-water, flowering hardy shrubs/perenniels for 6 month shade -alkalai soil?

RStarkeson@jschlesinger.com wrote:
> I have a friend who lives in London (where there is substantial
> frost), and has a garden space against a north wall, such that it
> gets sun only in the summer, who would like plants (could be annuals,
> perenniels, or shrubs) that flower even in winter, and never need
> watering besides the natural rain (the wall provides a bit of a rain
> shield as well). It can't be a tree, because she is afraid of roots
> endangering the neighbor's foundation (the wall). She does not like
> Mahonia. I was tempted to suggest an artificial plant, but did not.
> She would also like to amend the soil (which is friable rather than
> clay - a previous owner had apparently removed most of the natural
> clay) so that it is slightly acidic (ground water is apprently
> naturally basic there). She has firm convictions that the use of any
> peatmoss to change the soil pH would be an ecological crime, based on
> its non-renewable character in England. Any suggestions as to soil
> amendments available in England or plants?
>
Richard
Sounds to me like the typical demands of a not very experienced gardener - no wonder you thought of suggesting artificial plants!

The simplest way I know to lower soil pH (which also works rapidly) is by sprinkling on elemental sulphur (flowers of sulphur). I have used this most successfully on both a Camellia and, in another garden Rhododendrons, both of which had been heavily dressed with wood ashes and the effect was swift and near-miraculous. its acidifying effect is pretty strong and one should use no more than about a quarter pound to the square yard (around 100gm/sq meter). Simply sprinkle on and water in, or better still cover with an organic mulch of some sort. Nature will soon do the necessary processing.

Does she know for certain by the way that the soil is not acidic already? She could otherwise considerably limit the range of plants she can grow.

I applaud her decision not to use peatmoss anyway.

Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan,
Wainuiomata, North Island, NZ.     Pictures of our garden at:-
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/cherie1/Garden/TonyandMoira/index.htm
NEW PICTURES ADDED 4/Feb/2004

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