Planting Near or Over a Water Line

Lilith

I have avoided planting any trees near or over my water lines, but was wondering about something smaller, like hydrangea. I have planted some roses, and may do a buddleia, but would like something more "solid" and a little taller for balance. The water lines are down about 2 feet.

GPI · Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 11:14 pm Post subject:

With a two foot depth you will get away with planting most varieties of shrub, especially Hydrangea, Lilith.
You are very lucky to have your 2 ft depth of soil.
A good rule of thumb is to select shallow rooted plants........grasses are a good example.
Try Cortaderia selloana "Sunningdale Silver"
Miscanthus sinensis "Caberet"
or Stipa gigantea.

If you want to chance a tree....
Well, birch is noted for being very shallow rooted

Lilith · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 12:26 am Post subject:

These are great ideas, GPI. Thanks. I have several young hydrangeas in pots that I want to put out, but wasn't sure if their roots would go as deep as the line.

I wish I did have a 2 foot depth of soil. The water line is buried that deep, thanks to a big backhoe, but the ground here is mountain ground. Go down less than an inch and you've hit the layers of shale. VERY hard ground, and virtually no topsoil. That's why I'm piling on the compost to build up beds all over the place.

The same fella that dug the water line will do some great big holes for me for trees and shrubs so I can enrich that as well.