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[PRIMROSES] Dealing With Tree Roots

Hi Valerie,
This is a big problem for all of us who plant around trees, and what I have
done is to build up a raised bed where tree roots are a problem.  This has
been successful for me.
I also want to mention the success I have had in planting certain varieties
of Daylilies, which do Well in the Shady areas. SHADY LADY (O wen, '62) is
listed in Eureka! as a 34" (scape height) Mid-summer blooms. The flower is
yellow with a red eyezone.  This is an "oldie but goodie," and I have grown
it under a tree for several years now. It is a prolific bloomer with repeats.
There are other wonderful Daylilies which also grow well in
shade.....Bibbs Gamber, also a new robin member, may be able to help us
more here. She is my Daylily "consultant"....an real expert when it comes
to Daylilies.
Bibbs, would you step in here and help us out?
Sherryl Sandersfeld
Norman, OK Zone 7a

At 08:31 AM 12/30/97 -0400, you wrote:
>Hello to all!
>
>I'm obviously new to this list, having heard about it from another list.  I
>am new to shade gardening and live in between zones 5 and 6 in Kentucky.
>Our winters can dip below 0 degrees and our summers can go above 100
>degrees with smothering humidity.  Most of my yard is in full sun, but I
>have a line of very old trees near the back of my property line that
>provides dappled shade and allows only early morning sun and about two
>hours of afternoon sun.  This is a pretty substantial area that I would
>like to try to cultivate.   I want to take on the task of planting
>something under those old trees.  They have huge roots and the soil is a
>hardpan clay that gets very little moisture as it is a good distance from
>my outside faucets and my longest hose will not reach the back of my yard
>(I can't afford an irrigation system yet!).  I'm scared of smothering the
>roots with mulch, but yet I would love to have something besides grass and
>weeds.  And how in the world do you dig around those tree roots to amend
>the soil??  I'm very open to plant suggestions!!
>
>I'm a novice gardener, having helped my father when I was younger, but am
>now getting more and more experience as I am now older with my own child.
>I have several perennial beds in the sun that I'm pleased with.  My shade
>experience is limited to the ubiquitous hosta; I've killed many an astilbe
>and fern due to the lack of moisture in my yard.  Seems most shade plants
>want a bog situation!
>
>Anyway, I'm very interested in this list and look forward to learning from
>the years of experience from the more seasoned gardeners.  Thanks for
>allowing me to join.
>
>
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