It's March, and time to think about what we want to plant to replace the 3 Sumac Lo-Gro (that I hate & have just about cut down). They are along the front of a short side walk on the west side of the house. The pic shows 2 of the Sumacs last Spring before my campaign to eliminate them, there is a third one to the left out of frame. My dream shrub:
Enjoys full to partial sun (depending on season)
Likes limey clay soil
Is native to the area (Northern Illinois)
Blooms with white, fragrant flowers in early Spring
Bears edible fruit
Either is low (3') or can be kept low with pruning
Spread 4' or can be pruned to that size
Looks good year 'round
Tolerates salt from sidewalk (though will be edged)
Tolerates some wind
Likes good snow cover
*sigh* Some I have looked at are a small Viburnum cultivar, Black Chokeberry such as 'Morton'/'Iroquois Beauty', Running Serviceberry, Jersey Tea, Inland Jersey Tea. Obviously, easy care would be great, but I don't mind babying a small shrub to adulthood or yearly pruning/renewing.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
Small shrub suggestion z5a
Most of your criteria would be fulfilled using Fothergilla gardenii. Although ideally it prefers different soil than what you have, it's been my experience that this native shrub does fine in limey clay soil, especially is the area is amended with some peat moss before planting. No fruit, but nice spring flowers (fragrant) and a beautiful fall display. Lots of cultivar... 'Mt. Airy' is excellent.
Thanks, looks nice! Is it really reliably hardy up here? I think I took that off my list because somewhere I saw it needs acidic soil. The area is too close to a tree to do much amending. Definitely a contender.
Hardy Zones 4-8. I believe I've seen it at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Prefers acid, but it does fine with our area's limey clay. No fruit, but if we could find a shrub that meets your entire list of criteria, we'd get rich quick!
Don't I know it! Thanks for the suggestion.
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