small tree/bush for wet clay soil in sunny spot
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Heather Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 6 Location: North Co Dublin
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 7:00 pm Post subject: small tree/bush for wet clay soil in sunny spot |
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I've planted some trees in the garden yesterday and had to avoid a couple of spots because I found stagnant water while digging the holes!!!
I'm actually disappointed as a colourful, scented bush or small tree would look fantastic there, and was wondering if any of you has ever had to work with similar soils and what would you recommend?
Thanks x |
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walltoall Rank attained: Orchard owner

Joined: 25 Aug 2008 Posts: 706 Location: Thurrock RM15 via Dungarvan and the Banner County
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 8:14 pm Post subject: boggy squelchy in good ole Fingal hawwwwh? |
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Heather. Start by looking up Alder in wikipedia. Fine tree that never grows huge can cope with any soil and flood etc. Another lead is the Salix (willow group) which loves wet ground and sucks the water out like a vacuum. I'm talking from experience having actually drowned a Sorbus a few years ago (before the Irish Gardeners Forum was up and running.) _________________ Retired trouble-maker. twitters @walltoall and dreams of being promoted to Pedunculate Oaker. |
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Green fingers Rank attained: Hazel Tree


Joined: 29 Apr 2009 Posts: 44 Location: Cork
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Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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You could always mix some aggregate in with the soil to give you better drainage. |
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Heather Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 6 Location: North Co Dublin
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Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for your replies.
Unfortunately I'm not a big fan of salix and had in mind something more bushy, if you know what I mean. I did add some aggregate and I'm waiting to see whether this will improve the situation. The Irish weather isn't on my side though... It's been lashing for 3 days now...  |
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Green fingers Rank attained: Hazel Tree


Joined: 29 Apr 2009 Posts: 44 Location: Cork
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Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 7:04 pm Post subject: |
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Fortunately there is also some heat there. This should dry up your soil some.
You could also put in a few drainage pipes which would take the excess water. We did that. I have planted some cherry blossoms, bays, some conifers and shrubs and so far so good. The summer should make a big difference to your soil by drying it out. |
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treehugger Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Posts: 13
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Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:27 pm Post subject: |
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your choice of trees for that wet spot would be vastly increased if you brought in some more soil mounded it up 3 or 4 feet and planted the tree of your choice on
the mound. |
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Breedeen Rank attained: Hazel Tree


Joined: 06 May 2009 Posts: 13 Location: Co. Cavan
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Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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treehugger wrote: | your choice of trees for that wet spot would be vastly increased if you brought in some more soil mounded it up 3 or 4 feet and planted the tree of your choice on
the mound. |
I do this in my wet clay garden and it works well. I haven't lost a plant since being told this method by a local nursery. _________________ If you don't like something, change it.
If you can't change it, change the way you think about it. |
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