"Fetch me a SHRUBBERY!"

[Katie Quinn-Jacobs]

I need help figuring out what kind of edible shrub to plant near my foundation. Please save me from Juniper!

I have two locations: one, in partial shade; the other in full shade. I have very alkaline soil -- so no blueberries. Any suggestions? Ideally it'd be something that doesn't require super deep roots as the soil is very poor next to the house from having dug up the subsoil during construction.

-- Kate

[Alison F]

I just planted black chokecherry in front of my house -- I don't know about the roots, but they are in lots of sun and doing great so far. We have pretty neutral soil. I think they get to be about 4-feet wide and made 6-feet tall (unless you prune them, of course).

I planted a serviceberry in the back and that's not looking so happy, possibly because it doesn't get enough sun... I think serviceberries can get much bigger? Like 10 feet tall? We covered everything with deer netting-- not sure how they would fare without it.

Let us know what you decide!

[Gail Blake]

I have also been looking for edible shrubs/small trees to grow in my, mostly shady, downtown back yard. I have tried and failed with elderberries and dwarf apple, and the paw paw experiment is still in progress. Black walnut trees are one of the variables in my equation... A friend suggested I check out Burnt Ridge Nursery (www.burntridgenursery.com), which is in Washington. I know that's a whole different ecozone, but local nurseries have not been hugely helpful, so it seems worth a try. I wrote to them, describing my site and my goals and they made some suggestions. I am looking at layered filberts (layered meaning grown as a shrub) as a visual screen and other suggestions included Sweet scarlet goumi, ruby autumn olive, jostaberry, and honeyberry. Now looking at fall planting, so there's still time to dither!

Good luck! And a herrring!
Gail

[Alison F]

Really, you have a paw paw? I am so curious about them. What do they taste like? Those other ideas sound interesting too... perhaps to add to my long term plan...

[Valerie McMartin]

I'd love to taste a paw paw too.

depending on the height you want, there's some cherry bushes that could work for landscaping. we planted a few including some that are supposed to be more ornamental than flavorful (missed that blip before we bought them and stuck them in the middle of the field).

raspberries aren't the most attractive, but they're great burgler deterent, who wants to climb through those to break into your windows. lol

[Gail Blake]

Well, like I said, the paw pawexperiment is still in progress. No fruit yet. But Cornell Plantations usually has some for sale at the Apple Harvest Festival on the Ithaca Commons. They tase kind of like a spicy banana and they have great big seeds. I planted the trees in my yard because they are supposed to not be inhibited by black walnut and they can be trimmed to stay short. We are on the edge for them, temperature-wise, but getting warmer all the time...

[Katie Quinn-Jacobs]

Thanks for the link & relating your shady experience!

I, too, have paw paws. Mine are just over knee high. Though they've more than doubled in height since I planted them in the spring of '07, compared to other fruit trees, they are slooow growers. They are in full sun and I read that they are sensitive to cold when young so I just removed their winter protective cover. Their leaves are cool looking: broad and waxy. I figure I must be 10 years away from fruit.

Also have 2 types of filberts (hazelnuts). You need two varieties in order for them to pollinate. They're also in full sun and are leafing out and gaining height nicely. Actually, we've had blossoms (if you call them that) for the first time this year. Planted half of the filberts in '07 & the others this year.

-- Kate